07 Aug What We Heard – Impact of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels
The Agricultural Service Boards in the Special Areas conducted a producer survey in July 2025 to learn more about the impacts Richardson’s ground squirrels (commonly referred to as gophers) were having on agricultural lands in the east-central region of Alberta. Despite the short timeframe for the survey, we heard from many producers throughout the region about the issues they were seeing.
This information was summarized and shared with John Barlow, the Shadow Minister of Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, after the survey closed on July 25.
Producers overwhelmingly indicated that gopher-related crop and/or pasture damage was a significant concern. Of particular concern was how gopher populations were increasing significantly, and that existing control options were not effective in controlling these animals. Producers who responded to this survey were strongly in support of the re-registration of 2% Liquid Strychnine for the control of gophers. Learn more about what we heard by reading the full report below.
- What We Heard – Impacts of Richardson’s Ground Squirrels (July 29, 2025)
- Letter from Special Areas Agricultural Service Boards (July 28, 2025)
For more information on programs & supports offered for agricultural producers, please visit our Agriculture Services page.