Farmers and ranchers in the Lloydminster region are now included in Saskatchewan’s expanded strychnine pest control program, after initially being left out of the rollout.
The province confirmed Thursday that the Emergency Use Registration for two per cent liquid strychnine has been expanded to include more rural municipalities, giving producers in 208 RMs across southern and western Saskatchewan access to the product through November 2027.
The program targets Richardson’s ground squirrels, commonly known as gophers, which can cause significant crop loss and create dangerous conditions for livestock through extensive burrowing.
“We heard from farmers and ranchers that further expanding the eligible area was necessary,” said David Marit in a provincial release.
“This change better reflects regions with the highest Richardson’s ground squirrel populations and ensures producers have access to the right tools to manage this pest.”
The expansion follows a request submitted by Saskatchewan to Health Canada Pesticides Regulatory Directorate to widen eligibility while maintaining protections for species at risk.
Those protections include increased monitoring requirements, mandatory carcass collection and disposal, and enhanced training for anyone handling the product.
Locally, Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young said she raised concerns after noticing the region had been excluded from the initial map.
“I made sure the Minister of Agriculture heard loud and clear the disappointment and anger from my constituents,” Young said.
She added the expansion now ensures farmers and ranchers in the constituency have access to the program.
The province is also developing a Strychnine Stewardship Program in partnership with the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, with details expected to be distributed through local RMs once finalized.
For the 2026 season, strychnine is expected to be available for late-summer application, although officials say producers will be notified if supply arrives earlier.
The Emergency Use Registration is temporary and will run for approximately 19 months, with the province aiming to demonstrate safe and effective use as part of a broader integrated pest management strategy.
For producers in the Lloydminster area, the update means access to a long-requested tool as gopher populations continue to impact farmland across the region.
Read more: RM of Wilton to reintroduce strychnine program following federal approval
