On March 4, 2020 Health Canada announced the phase out of Strychnine to control prairie gophers.
The manufacturer of Strychnine must cease the sale by March 4 2021 and all users of Strychnine must cease uses by March 4 2023.
Details on this decision can be found by clicking here.
As the Canadian Cattlemen's Association states:
The Richardson ground squirrel - sometimes called a prairie gopher – is native to the short grass prairies and known for damage related to their tunnelling and foraging behaviours. As noted by Alberta Agriculture, “The most common types of ground squirrel damage are crop loss through direct consumption and reduced production due to plant injury and trampling. In addition, downtime and repair costs due to damage to hay binds as well as physical injury to livestock with ground squirrel burrows and those of badgers are also major concerns.” Liquid Strychnine is effective control strategy for ground squirrels and is already highly regulated. In its comments to the PMRA the CCA noted that there are no practical and effective alternative controls for ground squirrels. The CCA pointed out that what is needed is the development of an anticoagulant toxicant bait where a small amount consumed in a single feeding by the rodent would be a sufficient control. Until such a toxicant is available, the CCA recommends the current pest control remain approved and available to bona fide farmers and ranchers and affected rural municipalities for the control of ground squirrels. (source)
As someone who owns and loves horses, I know the risks prairie gophers pose to farm animals.
I want to know how this will impact your farm, your horses and livestock.
Please fill out the attached survey!