Greenview, July 21, 2025 – The Europe Today: Two rural municipalities in northwestern Alberta have declared agricultural disasters as relentless drought and severe grasshopper infestations devastate local pasturelands, threatening the livelihood of the region’s cattle ranchers.
On July 8, the Municipal District (M.D.) of Greenview, located approximately 400 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, officially declared an agricultural disaster due to the deteriorating conditions affecting its livestock industry. Following suit, the neighbouring County of Grande Prairie issued a similar declaration on Friday.
According to a news release from the M.D. of Greenview, the region is experiencing unprecedented drought compounded by a widespread grasshopper infestation, leading to failing hay and pasture lands. Bill Smith, Deputy Reeve and a fourth-generation rancher, described the situation as one of the worst in memory.
“I’ve talked to the old-timers, and none of them have seen it this bad,” said Smith. “It’s not just the drought—it’s the grasshoppers too. They’re like a combine, just tearing across the field, destroying what little quality hay we have.”
Smith estimates he’ll produce just 500 hay bales this year, compared to an average of 3,000 in normal conditions. “Last year I only got 1,000, but this year’s worse. It’s about as severe as it gets.”
Tyler Olsen, Reeve of the M.D. of Greenview, warned that many ranchers may be forced to liquidate their herds ahead of winter due to feed shortages. “There are producers already considering selling,” he said. “They just can’t make it through the fall with what they have.”
In an open letter to Alberta’s Agriculture Minister RJ Sigurdson, Olsen requested the inclusion of Greenview in the federal livestock tax deferral program, which would offer financial relief to struggling ranchers. He also appealed for increased mental health support for farmers who are emotionally and financially overwhelmed by the crisis.
“Their livelihoods are failing, and that has a mental toll. If we don’t support that side too, the consequences will be even worse,” Olsen stated.
In response, the provincial Agriculture Ministry affirmed its support for ranchers, noting that it funds several organizations offering agriculture-focused mental health services and continues to advocate federally for more financial assistance.
Despite these efforts, local officials like Smith fear many in the ranching community may exit the industry permanently.
“To face the fact that we might have to get rid of [our livestock] is just heartbreaking,” Smith said.
