Clearwater County is offering guidance to farmers dealing with gopher infestations, while the federal government is expanding tools available to producers — including the temporary use of strychnine.

Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers, are among the first mammals to emerge from hibernation in the spring.

County officials say early action is critical when managing infestations. Baiting and poisoning should begin before grass turns green, as gophers are less likely to consume bait once natural food sources become available.

If that window is missed, officials warn secondary control methods can be labour-intensive and costly.

To support local producers, pesticides such as Rodent Oat Bait and Rozol RTU are available through the Clearwater County Agriculture and Community Services office. Officials urge extreme caution when using pesticides to avoid harming non-target species.

For more information, residents can call 403-845-4444.

Federal government temporarily approves strychnine

In March, the federal government announced it will temporarily allow the use of strychnine to help address gopher infestations.

The approval applies in Alberta and Saskatchewan and is intended to help farmers manage damage caused by Richardson’s ground squirrels.

Strychnine has been banned since 2024 due to risks to wildlife that may consume poisoned carcasses, according to a March 30 report from The Canadian Press.

“I am pleased that the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency has accepted Alberta and Saskatchewan’s resubmission for emergency use registration for two per cent liquid strychnine for Richardson’s ground squirrel control,” Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation Minister RJ Sigurdson said in a media release.

According to The Canadian Press, Prairie provinces recently urged Health Canada to reconsider the ban, citing millions of dollars in crop damage caused by gophers.

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities called the limited, time-restricted approval a significant advocacy win.

President Bill Huber said the organization has long called on the federal government to recognize the economic impact of ground squirrels and the need for an effective control option.

The federal authorization is expected to remain in place until November 2027.

More information on Richardson’s ground squirrel is on alberta.ca.

~ with files from The Canadian Press and FarmNewsNow