Cattle from southwestern Saskatchewan could move north for the summer if their owners are willing to pay the transportation costs and grazing fees.
The agriculture ministry has announced that space is available in several provincial pastures in the northeast. Pastures in the southwest are in poor condition because of drought.
Allan Syhlonyk, director of the ministry’s lands branch, said the government is making the space available for two reasons:
- Exceptional moisture conditions in the northeast have created healthy pastures with good grass carryover.
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- Producers are getting out of the cattle business because of low prices.
“It’s tough to put a number on it,” Syhlonyk said.
“People are culling a little harder than they might have.”
He said northeastern pastures have always had excess capacity because of good growing conditions and a smaller livestock population, while the southern pastures always have a waiting list.
Space is available in the Barrier Lake, Crooked River, Crystal Springs, Donlands, Good Spirit, Lady Lake, Marean Lake, Paddockwood, Pontrilas and Smeaton pastures.
“We hope that by accommodating cattle where we can, it will help to ease some of the strain on those producers that are already battling such difficult conditions,” said Saskatchewan agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud.
However, the cost of transporting the animals could be a limiting factor. Syhlonyk said trucking rates are $5 to $5.50 a loaded mile.
Once the animals arrive, owners are required to pay the standard fees of 38 cents per day per cow and a flat $18 per season per calf.
As of last week, the northeastern pastures could accommodate about 1,500 more cow-calf pairs.
The region has 20 provincial pastures totalling 173,149 acres that carry 35,600 head each season. The province-wide pasture system accommodates more than 117,000 head belonging to nearly 2,000 patrons.
Syhlonyk said the last time the pasture program was opened up this way was during a previous drought in the northwest region. Operating the pastures at capacity is most efficient, he said.
“This is a good business decision,” he added. “We run the pasture system like a business.”
For more information, phone resource technologist David Junk at 878-8819 or 873-7125.
Arrangements should be made as soon as possible because cattle can start entering the pastures the first two weeks of May.
