Did you know the Sask TIP Line is not only for reporting poachers, but also for reporting illegal dumping? Please see the attached poster for contact details via email, text or by phone. Reporting is confidential.
Author: Nicole Czemeres
Info on Mowing along Provincial Highways
Farmers and ranchers wanting to bale hay near provincial highways need to be aware of some important deadlines before salvaging the material.
A landowner, lessee or their designate has first option to cut and bale the hay or grass in highway ditches and medians (which are also known as the provincial highway right-of-way) until July 8. After July 8, anyone may salvage this material without contacting or getting the permission of the landowner, providing the landowner hasn’t started to harvest.
Non-adjacent landowners or lessees who want to harvest roadside hay prior to July 8 are encouraged to contact the landowner or lessee and make arrangements to become their designate.
The hay must be cut at a uniform height leaving a neat appearance. Bales of hay must be at least eight metres from the edge of the shoulder of the highway. All bales must be removed from the highway right-of-way by Aug. 8.
To minimize hazards to the travelling public, bales that are not removed by Aug. 8 or are too close to the shoulder may be removed by the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure.
Mowing may take place in certain areas prior to July 8, as required for control of noxious weeds, safety and aesthetics.
Regular ditch mowing will be carried out by ministry contractors along all four-lane highways between July 15 and the fall. A four-metre-wide strip will be mowed adjacent to the other highways with additional mowing as required to ensure visibility and weed control. The progress of contracted mowers in hay operations will be dependent on the weather and ditch conditions.
KEY DATES
June 7 to July 15: Mowing includes a four-metre shoulder cut adjacent to the road on all highways within the Gateway Corridor Network; the National Highway System is included in this category. Some highway intersections may receive a full ditch cut to ensure good sightlines.
July 8: Prior to 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 hay or grass in a highway ditch without getting the permission of the adjacent landowner, provided salvage operations haven’t begun.
July 15 to October 15th: Ministry contractors will begin mowing the entire width of ditches along all four-lane highways, while all other highways will get a four-metre cut adjacent to the highway shoulder. Some additional mowing may occur.
For more information, contact your nearest Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure office:
Scrap Tire Clean Up Info
The Scrap Tire clean up days are running from June 1-June 21. You can bring your tires anytime to the sports grounds in Markinch and drop them off. On June 13, 14, 20 and 21 from 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. the members of the Cupar and Southey Volunteer Fire Departments will be on hand to help unload and sort tires.
If you have any questions call Glen at 726-8026 or David at 726-8017
Weekly Crop Report
For the Period May 26 to June 1, 2015
One year ago
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Seeding is nearing completion in the province with 97 per cent of the crop in the ground, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Progress continues to be well ahead of the five-year (2010-2014) average of 73 per cent seeded for this time of year.
The west-central region is reporting that 99 per cent of the crop is now seeded. The southwestern region has 98 per cent seeded; the southeastern, northeastern and northwestern regions have 97 per cent seeded; and the east-central region has 94 per cent seeded.
Heavy frost late last week has caused damage to crops and producers continue to assess the damage; some re-seeding has occurred. Crop conditions vary across the province but most crops are in fair to good condition. Concerns about crop germination and emergence continue in many areas that have not received much rainfall since April. Flea beetles and cutworms are causing damage in some canola crops across the province.
Some areas of the province received rain this past week, ranging from small amounts to over an inch in parts of the southwestern and northwestern regions. Rain is needed in much of the province to help recharge the topsoil. Cropland topsoil moisture conditions are rated as three per cent surplus, 51 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and nine per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as three per cent surplus, 41 per cent adequate, 40 per cent short and 16 per cent very short.
Farmers are busy finishing seeding operations and controlling pests.
SK (provincial) Crop Conditions – June 1, 2015 |
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Winter wheat |
Fall rye |
Spring wheat |
Durum |
Oat |
Barley |
Canaryseed |
|
% excellent |
13 |
3 |
8 |
5 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
% good |
59 |
26 |
57 |
49 |
65 |
60 |
36 |
% fair |
20 |
29 |
29 |
37 |
23 |
29 |
49 |
% poor |
5 |
26 |
5 |
9 |
2 |
4 |
7 |
% very poor |
3 |
16 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
Flax |
Canola |
Mustard |
Soybean |
Pea |
Lentil |
Chickpea |
|
% excellent |
3 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
% good |
56 |
41 |
49 |
67 |
63 |
50 |
34 |
% fair |
30 |
34 |
29 |
29 |
26 |
37 |
66 |
% poor |
8 |
16 |
9 |
1 |
4 |
5 |
0 |
% very poor |
3 |
6 |
12 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)
East-central |
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Winter wheat |
Fall rye |
Spring wheat |
Durum |
Oat |
Barley |
Canaryseed |
|
% excellent |
38 |
35 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
% good |
43 |
24 |
69 |
66 |
75 |
69 |
49 |
% fair |
14 |
29 |
26 |
27 |
24 |
29 |
51 |
% poor |
4 |
12 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
% very poor |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Flax |
Canola |
Mustard |
Soybean |
Pea |
Lentil |
Chickpea |
|
% excellent |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
% good |
58 |
52 |
90 |
62 |
87 |
87 |
100 |
% fair |
37 |
30 |
10 |
38 |
12 |
9 |
0 |
% poor |
2 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
% very poor |
3 |
6 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Seeding operations are nearly complete in the region as 94 per cent of the crop is seeded, up from 83 per cent last week. Hard frost late last week significantly damaged emerged crops and many fields are being re-seeded. Like much of the province, the east-central region could use some rain and warm weather to help crops emerge and develop.
Rain this past week ranged from nil to 22 mm in the Earl Grey area. The Craik area reported the greatest amount of rainfall since April 1, with 92 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as seven per cent surplus, 57 per cent adequate, 33 per cent short and three per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as five per cent surplus, 56 per cent adequate, 32 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Crop District 5B is reporting that six per cent of cropland is very short topsoil moisture while CD 6A is reporting that 10 per cent of hay land and pasture is very short topsoil moisture at this time.
Most crops in the region are in fair to good condition, although emergence has been slower than normal. Flea beetles, frost and lack of moisture have caused the majority of crop damage this week. Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling pests and assessing whether to re-seed or not.
Friday Funny
A super rock picking remix – not funny but so good. I enjoy all the remixes this family has done so you may see a few more over the farming season.
https://www.facebook.com/Brett.Kuhn8/videos/752514698103547/
Source: Tractor Fitness on facebook
We support STARS Ambulance
Each year the RM of Cupar donates $2 per capita to the STARS Ambulance. WHY?
- STARS provides a necessary service to Rural Saskatchewan.
- This morning (June 3) the crew from Regina has flown to Lumsden and Fort Qu’Appelle on missions. (source: http://www.stars.ca/sk/) .
- Since 2012, STARS has flown three missions to Cupar and eight mission to Southey.
- This year, STARS celebrates 30 years in the air and over 29,000 missions.
Taken at Regina General on May 14 by me
STARS HISTORY:
In the early 1980s, studies showed about half the deaths due to trauma could have been prevented if patients had received critical care sooner. When Dr. Greg Powell lost a young mother who was being transported from a rural area to Calgary by ground ambulance, he decided something had to change. That’s when he founded STARS.
Less than half the population of Western Canada lives in major urban centres and has access to critical care within minutes. For the other half such access is measured in hours. That can mean the difference between life and death; full recovery or permanent damage.
With STARS, those living in rural communities, working in remote areas, travelling on highways or being transported from community hospitals to major medical centres, receive the very best in critical care in helicopters staffed and outfitted as mobile ICUs.
Why Fly?
- The more quickly a patient receives treatment, the much better their recovery.
- Timely treatment of stroke, heart attacks or brain injuries can save more than $1 million per patient.
- The economic benefits of helicopter ambulance missions are six times higher than the costs.
- Patients transported by helicopter ambulance are more likely to survive than those transported by ground ambulance, even though they are more severely injured.
Flooded Well? You can get it tested free of charge!
The Flood Program – Private Water Supplies:
The Saskatchewan Disease Control Laboratory will provide free bacteriological testing for citizens with a private water supply who are concerned that their well or cistern water may have been contaminated by flooding and is unsafe to drink.
Citizens with flooded private wells who wish to test their water should be directed to their local Public Health Offices who can provide information on whether they are eligible for free testing, sample containers and payment exempt requisition forms.
In order for customers to receive the payment exempt testing they must submit the following:
- A blue Public Health Drinking Water Analysis requisition that has been stamped Payment Exempt.
- Each requisition should also include “Flooded Private Well” written in the comments section.
- A water sample collected in a 250 mL sterile container.
If the above requirements are not met customers will be charged for the testing of their water sample. Please contact 306-787-7138 for any information or questions you have.
Farmland Ownership Consultation
The Government of Saskatchewan is reviewing farmland ownership and would like input. Follow the links to take the survey and let your voice be heard!
http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/have-your-say/farmland-ownership-consultation
Weekly Crop Report
For the Period May 19 to 25, 2015
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One year ago |
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Producers now have 87 per cent of the crop seeded, well ahead of the five-year (2010-2014) average for this time of year (61 per cent), according to Saskatchewan Agriculture’s weekly Crop Report. Dry weather has allowed many producers to finish seeding while others will need another week or more.
The southwestern and west-central regions are nearing completion with 93 per cent of the crop in the ground. The northwestern region has 89 per cent seeded; the southeastern has 87 per cent seeded; the east-central region has 83 per cent seeded; and the northeastern region has 75 per cent seeded.
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Little to no rain was received this week, with some areas in the northeastern region reporting 2 mm. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as four per cent surplus, 58 per cent adequate, 30 per cent short and eight per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as four per cent surplus, 49 per cent adequate, 35 per cent short and 12 per cent very short. Rain is needed in much of the province to help with crop emergence and to recharge the topsoil that is getting dry in some areas.
The majority of emerged crops are either at or are behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. They are in relatively good condition with most crop damage being caused by flea beetles, cutworms and lack of moisture. Despite heavy frost in many areas early last week, most crops were not damaged; however, there has been some re-seeding of oilseed crops.
Pasture conditions are rated as four per cent excellent, 44 per cent good, 32 per cent fair, 14 per cent poor and six per cent very poor.
Farmers are busy finishing seeding operations, controlling weeds and moving cattle.
East-Central Saskatchewan (Crop District 5 – Melville, Yorkton, Cupar, Kamsack, Foam Lake, Preeceville and Kelvington areas; Crop District 6A – Lumsden, Craik, Watrous and Clavet areas)
EC SK Crop Development – May 25 |
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% Ahead |
% Normal |
% Behind |
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Fall Cereals |
16 |
65 |
19 |
Spring Cereals |
13 |
71 |
16 |
Oilseeds |
7 |
74 |
19 |
Pulse Crops |
6 |
79 |
15 |
Seeding progress nearly doubled in the east-central region thanks to warm and dry weather. Eighty-three per cent of the crop is now in the ground. This is up from 42 per cent last week. Many producers will need at least another week of warm and dry weather to get the remainder of their crop seeded.
Little to no rain fell this week, helping to dry up areas with excess moisture. The Bradwell area has received 91 mm of rainfall since April 1, the greatest amount for both the region and the province. Topsoil moisture conditions on cropland are rated as six per cent surplus, 68 per cent adequate, 25 per cent short and one per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as eight per cent surplus, 60 per cent adequate, 28 per cent short and four per cent very short. While some areas are in need of rain to help crops emerge, other areas need heat to help dry fields.
Crop emergence and development is slower than normal, although crops are in good condition. Sixty-five per cent of fall cereals, 71 per cent of spring cereals, 74 per cent of oilseeds and 79 per cent of pulses are at their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Some canola fields have been damaged by flea beetles and there are reports of producers spraying. Frost received last week damaged some crops and alfalfa fields but the majority of crops affected have recovered; however, there has been some re-seeding of canola in some areas.
Rainfall is needed for hay land and pastures to become greener in many areas. Pasture conditions are rated as five per cent excellent, 51 per cent good, 34 per cent fair and 10 per cent poor.
Farmers are busy finishing up seeding, controlling weeds, picking rocks and moving cattle.
Friday Funny
The website has been quiet because someone across the great big ocean decided to block me from it!! Thank you to tech support for rescuing us. While we didn’t get in this weeks crop report – I am back for the Friday Funny.
THESE ARE ACTUAL COMPLAINTS RECEIVED BY “THOMAS COOK VACATIONS” FROM DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS:
- “They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting for my husband who just wanted to relax.”
- “On my holiday to Goa in India, I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don’t like spicy food.”
- “We went on holiday to Spain and had a problem with the taxi drivers as they were all Spanish.”
- “We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it would be included in the price.”
- “The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room.”
- “We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as white but it was more yellow.”
- “It’s lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallartato close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during ‘siesta’ time — this should be banned.”
- “No-one told us there would be fish in the water. The children were scared.”
- “Although the brochure said that there was a fully equipped kitchen, there was no egg-slicer in the drawers.”
- “I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local convenience store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts.”
- “The roads were uneven and bumpy, so we could not read the local guide book during the bus ride to the resort. Because of this, we were unaware of many things that would have made our holiday more fun.”
- “It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair.”
- “I compared the size of our one-bedroom suite to our friends’ three-bedroom and ours was significantly smaller.”
- “The brochure stated: ‘No hairdressers at the resort.’ We’re trainee hairdressers and we think they knew and made us wait longer for service.”
- “When we were in Spain, there were too many Spanish people there. The receptionist spoke Spanish, the food was Spanish. No one told us that there would be so many foreigners.”
- “We had to line up outside to catch the boat and there was no air-conditioning.”
- “It is your duty as a tour operator to advise us of noisy or unruly guests before we travel.”
- “I was bitten by a mosquito. The brochure did not mention mosquitoes.”
- “My fiancée and I requested twin-beds when we booked, but instead we were placed in a room with a king bed. We now hold you responsible and want to be reimbursed for the fact that I became pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked.”