Ag News & Events

List of Upcoming Events and Products

Farmer Pesticide Certification Course: 
  • April 9th from 9 am - 4pm at the Walking Eagle Inn & Lodge in Rocky Mtn. House. Cost is $50/pp. The Farmer Pesticide Certification course is a tool intended to help farmers to reduce risks associated with pesticide use. This course is recommended under the Alberta EFP, but is also mandatory for farmers who wish to use restricted pesticides that require certification. This course qualifies for 6 CEU credits. Acreage owners wishing to use pesticides will also find this course informative. Contact 403-846-4040 to register.
Livestock Emergency Preparedness Workshop: 
  • April 30th from 1 - 4pm at the Hardindell Hall. Free at attend. Whether you are a commercial producer, large or small cattle producer, grazing lease holder or an acreage owner with horses, learn how to handle emergencies involving livestock before they happen. Topics include: livestock emergency preparedness and response, as well as, transport and hauling. Contact 403-846-4040 to register.
Tree Seedling Program: 
  • Spruce and pine seedlings available to purchase for shelterbelt or woodlot rejuvenation with a July delivery. Seedlings are first come first serve. Application forms can be found on Clearwater County’s website. Deadline to submit application forms is June 7th. Contact 403-846-4040 or email landcare@clearwatercounty.ca for more information.
Hemp Fiber Mats for Purchase:
  • Weeds rob seedlings of moisture, nutrients and sunlight therefore new plantings may benefit from this form of vegetation management. Available in 12" for $.66 or 18" for $1.35. Place an order with your 2024 seedling order or separately. For more information call 403-846-4040.
Caring for My Land funding Program (C4ML) 
  • The C4ML program offers 25%-75% funding – up to $5000 - through Alberta Environment and Parks Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program and EPCORE. 
  • To learn more, click here or contact us at 403-846-4040 / landcare@clearwatercounty.ca.
Join the Landcare email list:
  •  Are you interested in grant programs and new funding opportunities, virtual events, workshops, webinars, and receiving educational articles or video links relating to healthy and sustainable water and land? 
  • Send an email to landcare@clearwatercounty.ca to be subscribed!

Most Recent Ag News Article

March 20, 2024 - Birds of Prey Rule the Day  

Hawks and other aerial hunters an ally in rodent control.

One of the finest sights in the natural world is the hunting expertise of birds of prey. For example, a hawk can single out a meal for itself or its offspring and, with the precision of an expert pilot, nab a ground dwelling creature.   

Having birds of prey nearby is not always fully appreciated. Consider some of the species that call Clearwater County home, or at least pass through for a visit. In a few weeks many of these will be prowling the skies or perched like snipers.

The Northern Harrier prefers natural regions and is common around wetlands. Unlike other hawks, the male and female have distinct appearances. Nests are found in reeds and grasses, so wetland habitat conservation is crucial for the Northern Harrier to thrive.

The Ferruginous hawk is the ‘super size’ of hawks with the female up to one third larger than the male. Preferring open spaces, the Ferruginous hawk would be rare, except perhaps on our eastern fringes. 

Osprey are about the same size as the Harrier and are easily distinguished by stylish markings. Think of them as CF-18 jets. They prefer areas close to water, which again shows the importance of habitat. They may nest in tall dead trees, rock points overlooking water or atop telephone poles. Like eagles, osprey return to the same nest annually.

The Red-tailed hawk is the most conspicuous in our region. Mid-size between the Ferruginous and Harrier types, the Red-tailed has a distinct uniformly coloured tail, red above and pink underneath.

Red-tails prefer a high a vantage point, perched versus hovering, to identify their prey, making tall shelterbelts along field edges great launch points.

Swainson’s hawk is usually a prairie dweller but does occasionally visit open areas in the foothills or parkland. Nests are found in trees or taller shrubs. The Swainson’s hawk thrives where ground squirrels are present.  

Rough-legged hawks just pass through our area heading to or from its Arctic nesting grounds. Like a welcome guest at a roadside diner, the Rough-legged hawk consumes ground squirrels and other rodents.  

The Peregrine falcon is on the smaller side and although highly adaptable, is also vulnerable. They typically nest near wetlands but are also featured on webcams atop buildings. 

Peregrines target rodents and insects and take down pigeons. With only about 60 breeding pairs in Alberta, they are considered a species at risk. 

The Gyrfalcon is the largest of the falcon family and makes its primary home in the Arctic. In winter months, the Gyrfalcon slips south and may be seen in open or sparsely wooded areas. As a winter hunter, its rare but appreciated presence helps control voles.

The American Kestrel, a smaller falcon, is an aggressive hunter. The Kestrel nests in abandoned woodpecker holes or other cavities and commonly reside in a farm or acreage yard. Watch these acrobats defend their nest and territory vigorously.  

Kestrels have a diverse seasonal appetite, ranging from caterpillars, large insects including grasshoppers and mice or small birds. They commonly perch on power lines between hunts. 

Merlin are another small bodied falcon which, like a Peregrine, will capture food in flight and occasionally treat it as “to go” by eating it while in flying. Merlin reside in mixed wooded areas near water and nests often in abandoned abodes of larger birds, such as magpies. 

The Richardson’s ground squirrel is the favoured prey of many hawk species. Easily more than 80 percent of the diet of Red-tailed, Swainson’s and Ferruginous hawks are RGS’s. 

It is estimated that hawks reduce ground squirrel populations by about 15 percent. To feed themselves and a ravenous nest of offspring, a pair of Ferruginous Hawks eat more than 400 per season.

Having several members of the hawk and falcon family in our region is beneficial. A diversity of birds of prey brings a diversity of diet from insects to small animals.

All birds of prey are protected in Alberta and need our attention to thrive and survive. Habitat preservation and enhancement is crucial. Wetlands and wooded areas should be viewed as a benefit and not a nuisance.