The pre-approval application deadline for the Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP is August 31, 2022. Cow-calf producers interested in protecting their water resources by preventing spring runoff from entering their livestock facilities can apply here. https://rmofcupar.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Beneficial-Management-Practice-Pre-Approval-Application-Form.pdf

Producers are encourage to review the Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP before applying to see if they are eligible.  

For more information view Canadian Agricultural Partnership’s (CAP) Farm Stewardship Program: Cow-Calf Water Protection BMP virtual presentation.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QB6ZJTtY_Y&list=PLU6lNl6H8OCAHHM7z5B_ZN4u3CtMTO-NM

SARM unhappy with PMRA decision to pull strychnine

The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is appalled to learn that the Pesticide Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) has made final decision to cancel the approved use of strychnine to control Richardson Ground Squirrels (RGS). The PMRA’s decision is based on anecdotal assumptions, not recent research. In 2019, the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture (SMA) completed a study on the use of strychnine. This study indicated that despite a large number of non-target species present, death from strychnine was limited to only four deer mice.

“With such a small proven environmental impact PMRA should be using SMA’s research to support the continued use of strychnine, not to discontinue it” expressed President Ray Orb. “We plan to meet with Minister Marit and decision makers in Ottawa” said Orb “SARM will take all steps needed to have the decision overturned or at minimum have our producers compensated for any crop damage due to gophers.”

PMRA’s plan is to phase out the product over the next three years, making the product unavailable after March 4, 2021 and fully banned for use March 4, 2023. There is currently no alternative to control RGS.

In 1992 to 2001, 2% liquid strychnine wasn’t available causing RGS populations to explode resulting in millions of dollars in losses to producers. In the years it has been made available populations have declined. Dry years with no effective method of control will result in devastating losses.

“I hope the Province can appeal or at least delay the decision” said Orb, “Our producers don’t need to be enduring anymore hardships.”

SARM stands up for rural Saskatchewan and will continue to act in the collective best interest of rural municipalities.

Changes in Access to Veterinary Antibiotics

After December 1, 2018, Health Canada is moving all medically imported antibiotics to the federal prescription drug list.This change will help to ensure prudent use of antibiotics. This means:

• Producers will no longer be able to buy antibiotic products from retail stores, only from veterinary offices or pharmacists, or mixed in feed from feed mills;
• Producers will need a prescription from their veterinarian for all livestock and/or poultry antibiotics; and
• Veterinarians must have a valid relationship with their client before writing an antibiotic prescription.

If you don’t already have a veterinarian you work with regularly, now is the time to find one.

For more information, contact Wendy Wilkins, Disease Surveillance Veterinarian with the Ministry of Agriculture, at 306-798-0253 or wendy.wilkins@gov.sk.ca.

Yorkton RCMP sent out this reminder today and it bears repeating

Last night #YorktonRCMP responded to THREE priority 1 calls (lights, sirens & GO!). Our members were called to residences within Yorkton & were called out to assist Melville members on Highway 10.

Reminder – we have adopted a new blue and amber light combination for snow removal equipment. 

The blue lights will make snow removal equipment more visible while clearing snow. This will allow motorists to distinguish between snowplows, graders, and snow blowers and other flashing lights on our highways.  This will ultimately add to the safety of our operators and those on the road. Previously, our equipment used only amber lights.  

We encourage everyone to spread the word to their friends and family about this new blue and amber combination, as well as how to safely navigate when there is snow removal equipment on the road. Stay back and stay safe. It is illegal to pass a snow plow in operation at a speed greater than 60 km/h. If you come up behind a snow plow and want to pass, remember that it will pull over every 10 km or when it is safe to do so.

CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE – HOW HUNTERS CAN HELP

To maintain the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife population, the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF) is encouraging hunters to submit heads for Saskatchewan’s Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) testing this hunting season.

CWD is a disease that affects the nervous system of deer, elk and moose, and while infected animals may appear healthy for more than a year before signs appear, it is a fatal disease for these animals.

Although there is no evidence of CWD impacts on humans at this time, the potential is uncertain. The World Health Organization, Health Canada and Ministry of Health recommend hunters not eat any animals known to be infected with CWD, and as such the need for testing is imperative. Hunters should also take precautions when field dressing and processing animals.

“This disease isn’t something that hunters can easily detect in an animal themselves,” says SWF Executive Director Darrell Crabbe. “They need to submit the heads for testing, and we can’t stress enough the importance of this, as this disease will have permanent and devastating effects on our wildlife.”

To help encourage hunters to participate in CWD testing, the SWF will offer a draw for six pairs of binoculars. Simply turn in heads to any Ministry of Environment field office and your name will be entered into the draw.

Hunters can help slow the spread of CWD by not introducing the disease to new areas of the province by leaving gut piles on site and properly dispose of carcasses and meat from CWD-infected animals.

This disease has the potential to change herd structure across the province. By helping to monitor for CWD, hunters will help maintain the health of Saskatchewan’s wildlife population for generations to come.

For a listing of field offices,

visit http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/directory?tab=browse&ou=%7bCEFCDC1B-D7CA-4E50-ABA3-1EE557C5F2D7%7d,

and for more information on CWD,

visit www.swf.sk.ca/resources/for-hunters/chronic-wasting-disease-cwd.

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For more information, contact:

Darrell Crabbe, SWF Executive Director

(306) 692-8812 or cell (306) 630-8780