PROVINCE ANNOUNCES RESEARCH FUNDING FOR GOPHER CONTROL

New provincial research funding for the control of gophers, also known as Richardson's ground squirrels, will help address major infestation problems on the Saskatchewan prairies.

Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud announced $380,000 in research funding for the control of gophers at the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) convention in Regina today. The research will evaluate gopher control methods, such as rodenticides and natural predators, and focus on long-term, sustainable solutions.

"Gophers have caused extensive damage to crops and pastures throughout the province, especially in Southwest Saskatchewan," Bjornerud said. "Our primary goal is to provide farmers and ranchers with effective methods of gopher control."

The multi-year research projects are scheduled to begin in spring 2008 in the southwest area of the province, where gopher infestation is the most severe.

Last year, Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation paid out more than $1 million to farmers in the southwest region of the province, due to damage caused solely by gophers.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Robertson
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.robertson@gov.sk.ca