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After the provincial government secured federal approval for strychnine to be used to control gophers in some parts of the province, the distribution of the pesticide has begun.
According to the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture, farmers in eligible regions can purchase the two per cent liquid strychnine at participating RM offices, so long as they have completed the mandatory online training program and meet all of the program’s stewardship requirements.
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“Supplies are limited, so producers should contact their RM regarding access, as delivery timing and available inventory may vary by location,” the ministry noted. “Additional supplies are expected throughout the growing season.”
The ministry said about 195 rural municipalities around the province have become distributors for strychnine under the terms of the emergency use registration approved by Health Canada this spring, while two RMs have made agreements for other municipalities to distribute the pesticide on their behalf. A full list can be found on the provincial government’s website.
The area where strychnine can be used to control gophers has been expanded to include 208 RMs across about 15 crop districts in western and southern areas of Saskatchewan. (Government of Saskatchewan/Submitted)
But while distribution is starting this week, the ministry said it doesn’t recommend the chemical be applied at this type of year because the amount of green vegetation makes bait less effective. The next recommended application window runs from July 15 to Sept. 1, after vegetation begins to dry out.
“I am confident in Saskatchewan producers’ ability to use strychnine safely and responsibly,” David Marit, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister, said in a statement.
“By following label directions and demonstrating responsible stewardship, they can effectively manage Richardson’s ground squirrels while protecting our agricultural landscapes.”
While strychnine will be used to control Richardson’s ground squirrels – commonly referred to as gophers – the provincial government said its strychnine program includes “significant measures” to protect at-risk species, including the black-tailed prairie dog, the burrowing owl, the swift fox, the Ord’s kangaroo rat, the ferruginous hawk and the greater sage grouse.
“Measures include a species-at-risk assessment of every proposed strychnine treatment site to determine whether additional risk mitigation measures are required to protect species-at-risk,” the ministry explained.
“If species-at-risk cannot be managed through additional measures, including delayed application and enhanced monitoring, application will be prohibited.”
Farmers making use of strychnine will also be required to conduct an in-field assessment of any at-risk species and document their risk mitigation measures. Sites treated with strychnine must be monitored daily for the first week after application, with monitoring continuing for a minimum of four weeks.
“In regions where strychnine is unavailable or not registered, producers are encouraged to use alternative registered rodenticides, as well as biological and cultural controls for Richardson’s ground squirrel control,” the ministry said.
