Highway ditch haying season opens for adjacent landowners

By Your Southwest Media Group

Farmers and ranchers who own or lease land beside highways may now mow hay growing in nearby ditches.

“Landowners and lessees who own property nearest to a highway ditch have the first opportunity to cut or bale free hay until July 8,” a Highways Department statement said. “After that date, anyone may cut or bale without permission, provided the ditch is not already in the process of being mowed or harvested.”

Mowing the hay “helps improve visibility and safety for drivers, while providing a valuable feed source for local livestock operations,” Highways Minister Kim Gartner said.

Benefits include safer intersections and highway curves, better control of noxious weeds and brush, and a neater appearance in ditches that “improves visibility of signs and wildlife,” the statement said.

People can find more information, including details and guidelines, at saskatchewan.ca.