WESTERN PRODUCER — Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency has announced it will make water and vacant land available to farmers and livestock producers during the drought.
The agency owns and manages land across the province and those who live near these lands can contact it to see if under-used or vacant land is available.
“With the well-below normal amounts of moisture in many areas across Saskatchewan, our government is working hard to support our farmers and ranchers,” said Jeremy Cockrill, minister responsible for the agency. “WSA is looking to make water available to producers in areas experiencing drought conditions or allow ranchers to use vacant WSA-owned lands for feed suppliers.”
Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association chair Keith Day said conditions are deteriorating and feed availability is a priority.
“Any solutions that bring more feed online for livestock to access is welcome,” he said.
Farmers and ranchers don’t have to get a water rights licence if they are hauling water from a municipal supply such as a rural municipal tank-load facility, the agency said.
Applications for licences, where required, will be prioritized. Temporary water rights licences are required when hauling water from a WSA reservoir or provincial water supply. The agency said it will issue these applications within 48 hours.
Agriculture minister David Marit said the government continues to look at relief options, and reminded farmers that AgriInvest, AgriStability and AgriInsurance form the primary line of defence.
Producers who want to obtain a licence or access the WSA resources should contact the Client Service Centre at 866-727-5420.
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