Emergency Strychnine Use: A Short‑Term Fix to a Long‑Term Problem

Farmers and ranchers are facing an unprecedented surge in the Richardson Ground Squirrel population with devastating effects to crops, pasture and farmland. The temporary lift of the nationwide ban on Strychnine in parts of Alberta and Saskatchewan has aided in crisis mitigation, but when the ban goes into effect again in 2027, what will farmers and ranchers do to maintain stability knowing full well the problem will return? Should the PMRA (Pest Management Regulatory Agency) be able to ban the use of effective tools especially when there are few alternatives? What will happen in 2027 and will it affect food security for consumers or agricultural stability for farmers? How do we trust our farmers and ranchers with pest control autonomy while also ensuring proper use of dangerous chemicals? In this episode, we’re digging into emergency Strychnine use.Meet Our GuestsWade Nelson, Owner and Operator of Highwood Valley Ranch  Along with his wife and parents, Wade owns and operates Highwood Valley Ranch––a fourth generation family operation south of Calgary and west of High River, Alberta. The ranch offers a mix of Angus cattle that are started and finished on grass and free choice oats. With 1500 acres of grain and 700 acres of grass, Highwood Valley Ranch is a mixed farm operation.Jason Schneider, Rancher, Reeve of Vulcan County and Vice President of RMA BoardJason owns and operates a fourth-generation grain farm in Vulcan County with his wife and two kids. He has sat on Vulcan County Council since 2013, serving as Reeve since 2016. Jason joined the RMA Board (Rural Municipalities of Alberta) in 2020 as the Director for District 1 and was elected Vice‑President in 2025 which includes all 69 rural and specialized municipalities in the province. Within the RMA, Jason serves on several internal committees, including federal advocacy, policy review, and the RMA Resolutions Committee, where he serves as Chair. About UFA UFA Co-operative was founded in 1909. The co-operative was formed by farmers, for farmers, with the belief that more can be accomplished when we work together. 117 years later, UFA has grown into one of Canada's largest and most progressive agricultural co-operatives, offering the products, services and support for the farmers and ranchers who feed the world. As a co-operative, UFA is member-owned and today, its membership has grown to over 120,000. UFA continues the movement started over a century ago by serving and advocating for members of the agricultural community and beyond. At the heart of this commitment is ensuring the voice of the farmer is brought to the decision-making table. UFA is proud to give back to rural communities, ensuring they thrive for generations to come. Learn more at UFA.com.About Your Host Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.CreditsHost: Don Shafer, PhDGuests: Wade Nelson, Jason Schneider Senior Writer: Eric La FebreShowrunner: Jessica GrajczykAudio Producer: Scott WhittakerExecutive Producer: Jennifer SmithContributor: Trish Nixon