Released on July 23, 1998
Highways and Transportation Minister Judy Bradley announced today thatmajor highway rights of way mowing by local contractors is starting
soon across the province.
Twenty mowing contracts were tendered in March and April, this year.
"Our usual practice is to leave the majority of the highway ditches
unmown until mid-July each year to allow adjacent land owners and area
farmers ample opportunity to cut the ditches themselves for hay,"
Bradley said. "Farmers also have an opportunity to take the salvage
hay after the department cuts it. This practice was set to take on
additional importance earlier this summer, when a severe shortage of
cattle feed was being predicted due to lack of moisture.
"Each year at this time, my department receives numerous inquiries
about mowing, some from farmers asking about salvage hay and others
from motorists asking why we allow the grass to grow so high. We
manage the issue as fairly as possible, by providing ample opportunity
for farmers to cut for hay; not allowing growth to become too high as
to create a safety hazard; and saving highway budget dollars for
actual road surface work. We think our current ditch mowing practices
meet those objectives." Bradley said.
Due to varying weather conditions and contractor availability and
scheduling, ditch mowing will occur at different times in
different areas around the province. Local Department of
Highways and Transportation offices should be contacted directly
for information on rights-of-way haying procedures or mowing
schedules across the province.
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For more information please contact your nearest Saskatchewan
Highways and Transportation office:
Southern Region
Regina 787-4952
Carlyle 453-2565
Weyburn 848-2435
Moose Jaw 694-3710
Swift Current 778-8348
Central Region
Yorkton 786-1660
Wynyard 554-5432
Saskatoon 933-5306
North Battleford 446-7760
Kindersley 463-5505
Northern Region
Tisdale 878-8826
Prince Albert 953-2734
Meadow Lake 236-7650
La Ronge 425-4495
Buffalo Narrows 235-1731