Ron Hansen knows the value of ditch hay and when it needs to be cut.
That was reinforced several years back when the producer from Maple Creek, Sask., says he had a rough experience trying to cut ditch hay outside his area.
Dry conditions meant there was little grass in the ditches around Maple Creek, so he travelled to nearby Shaunavon, where he knew of abundant grass growing.
“It was three weeks after the due date and we had nothing here for hay. We went down there and cut about three miles before this one guy and his sons stopped us.
Read Also
Short rapeseed crop may put China in a bind
Industry thinks China’s rapeseed crop is way smaller than the official government estimate. The country’s canola imports will also be down, so there will be a lot of unmet demand.
“I don’t know whether they didn’t realize the due date of it, or what it was, but I’ll tell you there was almost big trouble there. They were shaking their fists at us,” he said.
“I was in the right. There was no two ways about that because after that due date you give up your right.… I bet they got at her the next year.”.
Stage one of Saskatchewan’s annual ditch mowing program began June 7.
The highways ministry reminds farmers and ranchers that hay in provincial highway ditches is available to salvage for free.
Hay in these ditches, known as the highway right-of-way, can be cut and baled before July 8 by the bordering landowner.
After July 8, any person may salvage the hay without the permission of the nearby landowner provided salvage operations haven’t started.
“This salvage opportunity is to give farmers and ranchers the option to use this hay for free to complement their existing agricultural operations,” said highways minister Jim Reiter.
Hay must be cut at a uniform height, and bales must be located at least eight metres from the shoulder of the highway. All bales must be removed by Aug. 8.
The ministry is again operating an early mowing program between June 7 and July 15 along heavily trav-elled roads. Ministry contractors will mow a four-metre-wide strip adjacent to the highway shoulders on highways 1, 7, 11, 16 and 39, along with portions of Highways 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 55.
Between July 15 and the fall, which is known as Stage 2, ministry contractors will conduct regular ditch mowing.
All about the timing
•June 7 to July 15 (Stage 1): Four-metre-wide strip mowed adjacent to highway shoulders by ministry contractors occurs only along heavily travelled highways with some additional mowing as required.
•July 8 (key hay salvage date): Before this date, a landowner or lessee nearest to a highway ditch has the first option to cut or bale hay. After this date, anyone may cut and bale the hay or grass in a highway ditch without getting the permission of the nearby landowner, provided salvage operations haven’t started already.
•Between July 15 and the fall (Stage 2): After this date, ministry contractors will begin mowing the entire width of ditches along all four-lane highways, while a four-metre cut adjacent to the highway shoulder on all other highways. Some additional mowing may also occur. [
———
access=subscriber section=news, crops, livestock
