Strychnine Course

Farmers and ranchers who want to poison gophers using strychnine must complete an online course that’s now available.

“The training is a required step for producers in eligible rural municipalities seeking access to two per cent liquid strychnine for targeted control of Richardson's ground squirrel infestations,” an Agriculture Department statement said. It’s available through sarm.ca/strychnine-stewardship-training.

"Those planning to use strychnine are encouraged to complete training as early as possible to access supplies once they are available," David Marit, the agriculture minister, said in the statement.

Training is one aspect of the strychnine stewardship program available in 208 Saskatchewan RMs through an emergency-use registration from Health Canada's Pesticides Regulatory Directorate. The registration is in effect until November 2027.

The 90-minute online course is available through the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities and covers responsible strychnine use, environmental protection, integrated pest management and pesticide safety.

People must fill out a mandatory treatment plan and declaration form to become a certified strychnine user able to get strychnine from RM offices, starting with a small amount expected in early June, followed by more each month.

“Strychnine will be distributed evenly among participating RMs with a per-producer cap to manage supply,” the statement said. “As the spring application window closes on June 15, producers are encouraged to use alternative registered rodenticides, as well as biological and cultural controls,” to control gophers in the next month. 

Strychnine supplies should increase between July 15 and Sept. 1, the statement said.