Hay Salvage and Ditch Mowing

The hay salvage and mowing program provides:

• free hay to farmers
• a neat appearance
• improved visibility
• better control of brush and harmful weed growth
• snow storage in ditches during the winter months

Hay Salvage

Hay can be salvaged any time during the spring or summer months.

Hay must be cut at a uniform height in ditches. Bales must be placed at least eight metres away from the shoulder of the highway.

As safety is the number one priority, the Ministry of Highways may remove and dispose of hay bales if locations are deemed unsafe for drivers.

Participant should contact their local ministry office to provide contact information and limits on where they are salvaging hay. This will help to avoid disputes and better coordinate with other activities that may be happening within the highway ditch, including ditch mowing by contractors and others.

Key Dates for Hay Salvage

First Cut Includes all high-traffic and some secondary provincial highways.

• July 8: Prior to and including this day, a landowner or lessee nearest to a highway ditch has the first opportunity to cut or bale hay. After this day, anyone may cut and bale hay in a highway. ditch without permission of the adjacent landowner or lessee.
• After July 8: Cut and bale is a first come, first serve basis. After this day, the nearest landowner's permission is not required. Cutting and baling should not be initiated, if a mowing contractor is mowing near the area.
• August 8: All hay bales must be removed from ditches or they may be removed and disposed of at the discretion of the Ministry of Highways.
• After August 8: Bales must be removed.

Ditch Mowing

Ditch mowing happens from June to the end of Fall every year.

The ministry contracts out the work for the annual mowing program. Early mowing takes place in June and July where contractors cut a four-metre wide strip on heavily travelled primary and secondary highways.

Regular ditch mowing is done later in the season from mid-July to the end of Fall, with all four-lane highways receiving a full-width cut. High volume two-lane highways will receive a twelve-metre cut. Secondary highways will receive an eight-metre cut. A four-metre wide strip will be mowed adjacent to the other highways with additional mowing as required to ensure visibility and weed control. Mowing may also be done near some highway intersections, interchanges, railway crossings and tourism facilities.

Mowing progress is dependent on weather and contractor schedules.

Key Dates for Ditch Mowing

• June 7 - July 15: Mowing includes a four-metre shoulder cut adjacent to the road. Highways 1, 7, 11, 16 and 39, along with portions of Highways 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9 and 10. Some highway intersections may receive a full ditch cut to ensure good sightlines.  
• July 15 - Oct. 15: Contractors begin mowing the width of ditches along all four-lane highways. Heavily travelled two-lane highways will receive a twelve-metre cut. Secondary highways will receive an eight-metre cut. All other highways get a four-metre cut adjacent to the highway shoulder with additional mowing as required to ensure visibility and weed control.
• August 8: All hay bales must be removed from ditches or they may be removed and disposed of at the Ministry’s discretion.

Download our Mowing Fact Sheet for more information.

Contact Information

For additional information or to provide contact information and limits of hay salvage operations, please contact the district office in your area: