Strychnine use expanded for gopher control across west-central Saskatchewan

EAGLE STAFF

Farmers across most of west-central Saskatchewan will be allowed to use strychnine to control gophers this year and next after authorities expanded the designated use area.

The province secured federal approval to widen the территории where producers may apply a two-per-cent solution of the poison to combat Richardson’s ground squirrels, which threaten crops and pasture land. The animals are commonly known as gophers.

The expanded zone now stretches from the Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, southeast of Rosetown, west through the RMs of Pleasant Hill and Kindersley to the Alberta border, and north toward Saskatchewan’s boreal forest region.

“We heard from farmers and ranchers that further expanding the eligible area was necessary,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a statement. “This change better reflects regions with the highest Richardson’s ground squirrel populations and ensures producers have access to the right tools to manage this pest.”

The updated designation covers much of southern Saskatchewan and the province’s western side.

However, some areas remain excluded, including the RMs of Milden, Harris, Perdue and Eagle Creek, along with municipalities farther east.

Provincial officials worked with Health Canada Pesticides Regulatory Directorate to expand the eligible area. As a result, 208 rural municipalities across roughly 15 crop districts will now have access to strychnine under an emergency-use registration set to expire in November 2027.