Ponoka County considers changes that would impact confined feeding zones
By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com
Alberta farmers are challenging proposals by Ponoka County officials that would affect local cattle producers.
The County is considering creating restriction zones in two areas, Morningside and the region northwest of Ponoka. Each area would have its own zone rules.
Those zones could restrict or outright prevent expansions of confined feeding zones (CFO).
CFOs are fenced or enclosed buildings where livestock are kept for “growing, sustaining, finishing or breeding by means other than grazing,” Alberta Agriculture says.
The area northwest of Ponoka County contains several CFOs, as well as about 75 residences. Any operations inside the proposed boundaries would be allowed to expand. Any new CFOS would have to locate about a mile or two away.
The situation has divided residents into two camps. Those who believe agriculture should be allowed to expand as necessary so long the farmers have the proper authority, and those who feel agriculture is impeding on residential areas.
Charlie Cutworth
“The number of CFOs has continued to increase and, every time they do, some people in the area are asking when enough is enough and why can’t the cattle producers spread out,” Charlie Cutforth, chief administrative officer with Ponoka County, told Farms.com yesterday.
“The reaction from farmers absolutely floored me,” he said. “This was seen as an attack on agriculture and that we hate farmers when that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“We’re trying to create a balance in the area where everyone can live and work in peace.”
Cattle operations in Morningside, an area south of Ponoka, could also be affected by the proposed restrictions.
In the late 1970s, the County earmarked that area for residential development. But four CFOs are now located within the immediate vicinity, Cutforth said.
The proposed restriction zone plan means the operations within that zone could not expand and any new CFOs would have to relocate.
Producers and industry advocates were quick to defend farmers’ rights to work the land.
“The draft created a large reaction and rightfully so,” Cutforth said. “The last thing we wanted to do was restrict any agriculture in the area.”
The County has since shrunk the boundaries and now only two CFOs remain in the zone.
Ponoka County plans to hold public hearings on the proposed restriction zones as early as Oct. 2.
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