Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan continues to investigate more than the usual number of calls about livestock in distress.
Executive director Don Ferguson said last week, in response to a query about a seizure near Avonlea, that reports are up throughout the province.
In the Avonlea case, nine animals considered in distress were seized and 20 were found dead. Ferguson could not confirm who owned the cattle. Attempts to reach the alleged owner were unsuccessful.
While those numbers are smaller than the significant seizures of more than 300 head near Stoughton and 130 head near Lampman last winter, Ferguson said the overall number of complaints is concerning.
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He said the average number of reports for April and May is 70. This year, staff have looked into 90 each month, which is higher than last winter.
“It’s not isolated to one area of the province,” Ferguson said.
He said the extended cold winter and poor quality feed are definite factors. The dry spring is not helping.
“Pasture is not growing and in some cases producers are putting out cattle without supplemental feed and they’re not getting the necessary nutrition,” Ferguson said.
He encouraged cattle producers to test their feed and their water sources.
“The salinity of sloughs has increased and what was acceptable before might not be now,” he said.
Ferguson said not all reports to APSS are founded and producers are often offended in those situations. But he said the agency would rather investigate and be sure than to have to seize animals in distress.
Producers who find themselves without enough feed or water should reach out for help. Producers who notice neighbours or others who appear to need help with their cattle could offer assistance, too, he said.
