Strychnine training underway as producers await pesticide to battle gophers

Sask. farmers say training and tighter rules will ensure safe strychnine use despite lower gopher populations. Mick Favel has more.

Cooler temperatures and wet conditions have helped decrease gopher populations compared to 2025, but the rodents continue to cause crop damage.

In the coming months, Saskatchewan producers from select regions will have access to strychnine to address the ground squirrel population.

“They are a problem, and it is a real economic impact. We’re happy to get the re-certification of strychnine on a limited basis, an emergency basis,” said Don Connick, Director of District 3 of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.

Producers from areas approved by the federal government are now taking Strychnine Stewardship Training. The online training is one of the eligibility requirements for accessing the pesticide.

Jeremy Welter, Reeve of the RM of Mariposa, says access to all methods of solving the over-population of gophers is important.

“I would encourage the public to recognize the value of having a toolbox full of tools, and hope there is a level of trust they would place in producers,” said Welter.

The group squirrel population thrived in drought-like conditions throughout Saskatchewan last year.

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Despite strychnine likely being available in the province later this year, the right time to deal with the problem may have already passed.

“It’s probably not going to be useful for this year. If it gets really hot and dry, they go into hibernation in July,” explained Connick. “Our window of opportunity has been considerably diminished.”

Long term, Connick says funding needs to go into research to find a more effective and environmentally-friendly pesticide for ground squirrels.

“We need to look for a poison that is economical, effective and less labor intensive to apply, and that is environmentally friendly.”

There are several regions that will be unable to use strychnine.

“The reality is gophers do not respect boundaries on a map any more than any other animal,” said Welter.

Connick says he believes strychnine should be available to all producers in the province.

Producers in eligible areas can take part in the training until Aug 1.