Central Alberta Ranchers Leave Roadside Pasture Untouched Despite Drought Concerns

Red Deer County has once again opened roadside ditches to cattle producers as a potential source of emergency pasture, but very few ranchers are taking advantage of the program. Despite concerns about dry conditions and limited forage, the practical challenges and costs involved in moving livestock onto roadside land appear to outweigh the benefits for many producers.

The roadside grazing program is designed as a backup option for cattle producers when pasture conditions deteriorate. Red Deer County council approved the program in July after dry conditions through the winter raised concerns about the availability of feed later in the season.

The idea is relatively straightforward. Grass growing along municipal road allowances would otherwise remain unused, so producers facing shortages can apply to use those areas for temporary grazing.

In practice, however, the program comes with a number of conditions that have made it unattractive to many ranchers.

Producers must carry $5 million in liability insurance, install temporary fencing and keep cattle off the roadside during nighttime hours. Livestock must be moved back to a secure pasture every evening, creating additional labour and transportation requirements.

Jordon Smith, Red Deer County’s assistant agricultural services manager, said the program has existed for more than a decade and is reviewed annually depending on weather and pasture conditions.

Dry conditions have resulted in the program being renewed in four of the past five years. Yet participation remains extremely limited.

Only one producer applied in 2023, followed by another in 2024. Two producers have participated this year. The county typically receives several inquiries, sometimes as many as 10, but most producers ultimately decide against proceeding.

Smith said some applicants begin the process but withdraw once conditions improve or rainfall reduces concerns about available feed.

For ranchers, the problem is not necessarily the availability of grass. Instead, it is the amount of work and expense required to access it safely.

Red Deer County rancher John Fuchs, who has approximately 30 cattle, said the program could create significant logistical difficulties. Managing cattle beside roads requires careful selection of locations with relatively low traffic and additional attention to fencing and livestock control.

For smaller operations, the potential benefit may not justify the effort.

Other producers have reached similar conclusions after considering the program during previous dry periods.

Rancher Kevin Ziola considered roadside grazing several years ago when his pasture supplies were beginning to decline. However, rainfall eventually improved conditions, eliminating the immediate need for additional grazing land.

Ziola believes the program could still be useful in certain circumstances, particularly for producers with smaller herds. But he said it becomes considerably more difficult for larger operations with hundreds of cattle.

The daily movement requirement is one of the biggest obstacles.

Nikki Olson, who operates a herd of approximately 50 cattle east of Red Deer, said bringing cattle back from fresh roadside grass every evening can be difficult. Animals naturally become reluctant to leave an area where they have access to better forage and return to a pasture where the available grass has already been heavily grazed.

For ranchers already dealing with dry conditions, the additional labour can become another burden.

The insurance requirement is another concern. Producers must maintain substantial liability coverage because livestock grazing close to public roads creates potential safety risks for motorists as well as the animals.

Temporary fencing also has to be installed and maintained, creating additional costs and work at a time when ranchers may already be under financial pressure.

The experience in neighbouring municipalities suggests Red Deer County is not alone in struggling to attract participants.

Lacombe County, located north of Red Deer County, has also seen limited interest in its roadside grazing program. Only three permits have been issued there over the past five years.

The low participation raises questions about whether the programs are designed in a way that makes them genuinely useful during difficult agricultural seasons.

Olson believes municipalities could make roadside grazing more attractive by providing practical support rather than simply making the land available.

One possibility would be for counties to maintain portable fencing equipment that producers could rent at a lower cost. Such assistance could reduce one of the barriers facing ranchers during drought conditions.

The timing of the program is also important.

When pasture conditions become seriously dry, ranchers may need additional feed quickly. Arranging insurance, obtaining permits, setting up fencing and organizing daily livestock movements can make roadside grazing too complicated to use as an emergency measure.

For producers managing larger herds, the amount of manpower required could be particularly significant.

There is, however, another way farmers are already making use of roadside grass.

Roadside haying has proven considerably more popular in the region. Instead of allowing cattle to graze directly beside roads, producers can cut the grass using farm equipment and transport it elsewhere for livestock feed.

Smith said the county typically has four or five regular users of its roadside haying program.

The difference in popularity is largely explained by safety and logistics.

Haying keeps livestock away from active roads, reducing the possibility of animals entering traffic or causing collisions. Once the grass is cut and collected, producers can store or transport it and feed their cattle in controlled environments.

From the municipality’s perspective, the safety risks are also considerably lower.

Roadside grazing, by contrast, places livestock, fencing and people close to moving vehicles. Even with strict rules, the potential consequences of an escaped animal or a collision can be serious.

That explains why the county requires significant liability coverage and limits grazing hours.

Still, the program could become increasingly important if Alberta experiences more frequent or prolonged dry periods.

Climate and weather variability have already made pasture management a major concern for cattle producers. Drought can reduce grass growth, increase feed costs and force ranchers to make difficult decisions about herd sizes and winter supplies.

Having additional pasture available during a severe dry spell could provide an important safety valve.

The challenge is making that safety valve practical enough for producers to use.

A program that technically provides access to thousands of acres of roadside grass has limited value if the costs, insurance requirements and daily labour involved make participation uneconomical.

For now, Red Deer County does not plan to make major changes to its rules. The current permits remain available until October 15, meaning producers who meet the requirements can still use roadside grazing if conditions become more difficult.

The county could reconsider the program next year based on weather conditions and feedback from producers.

The experience of local ranchers suggests that simply offering access to roadside pasture is not enough. If municipalities want the program to serve as a genuine drought response tool, they may need to consider ways to reduce the financial and logistical burden on cattle producers.

Portable fencing, streamlined permitting and other forms of practical assistance could potentially make a difference.

Until then, the roadside grass will continue to grow largely unused, even as ranchers keep a close eye on pasture conditions and the cost of feeding their herds.

For Alberta’s cattle industry, the lesson is clear: during difficult growing seasons, having access to additional grass matters, but access alone does not guarantee that a program will work. The support must also be affordable, safe and practical for the producers expected to use it.

Courtesy: CBC