The County of Stettler Agriculture Service Board (ASB) discussed a few pieces of equipment that are planned to be purchased over the next four to eight years, including an emergency livestock trailer and a tree spade. The report was discussed at the Sept. 25 regular ASB meeting.
The ASB is comprised of members of county council and chaired by Coun. Les Stulberg.
Manager of Agricultural Operations Quentin Beaumont presented the board with a report listing several items to be acquired over the next few years along with a 20-year capital purchase plan; Beaumont stated the purchase plan lists equipment belonging to the ASB and possible replacement costs.
“It looks cumbersome,” said Beaumont, who noted that purchases would be spread out over several years to ease budget burdens.
Items scheduled for purchase over the next few years included a livestock emergency trailer, portable livestock trailer with panels, a hydroseeder, a tree spade and a portable livestock scale.
Beaumont stated in his report some equipment, like the tree spade, would be available for use only for County of Stettler staff on county property but others would be available to the public.
“These items will better assist our producers as well as make projects around the county easier for our staff,” stated the report.
Reeve Larry Clarke, when looking at the emergency livestock trailer, noted that he thought the fire department had a trailer intended for that purpose, an enclosed trailer bought three to four years ago; the reeve added county staff could perhaps contact the fire department for more information.
Beaumont quickly reviewed the purpose of such an emergency livestock trailer: in the event of a motor vehicle collision involving a cattle liner, such a trailer can be used to assist the livestock involved. He pointed out lots of counties have these trailers and it’s not unusual for them to be stored by the fire department.
Beaumont further noted the only major capital purchase the ASB was proposing for 2025 would be an F-450 cabin chassis for pulling heavier trailers.
“We just need another heavy hauler,” said Beaumont.
Coun. Ernie Gendre asked for clarification on the tree spade’s purpose to which Beaumont responded it’s used to transplant trees from the County of Stettler’s tree farm to places like hamlets and parks. “Right now I’m using a back-hoe,” said Beaumont.
Gendre noted he’s got a tree spade at home and county staff are welcome to have a look at it to see if a similar accessory could be of some use.
Board members accepted the capital report as information.
Stu Salkeld
Local Journalism Initiative reporter
ECA Review
