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Farmers can dispose of old livestock medications and ag pesticides

Oct 12, 2023 | 5:20 PM

Farmers in southern Saskatchewan will have the opportunity to get rid of unwanted agricultural pesticides and old, obsolete livestock and equine medications in a responsible manner.

Cleanfarms will host 20 collection events taking place at various local ag retailers south of Davidson.

Executive Director Barry Friesen said farmers show how important this program is to them by saving up materials and bringing them to a designated drop-off location.

“Recognizing that this helps keep their farms clean and ensures these materials don’t go to landfill,” Friesen said. “For our team, it’s a great way to meet with farmers and learn about what’s on their minds while providing a service that’s valuable for them and the region as a whole.”

The crop protection industry, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI), covers the full cost of operating the program and disposing of the materials safely.

This year’s Saskatchewan collection sites are in:

Avonlea – October 27 – Genesis Co-op, 300 McRorie Ave.

Balcarres – October 25 – Synergy AG, 200 Hwy. 10, 306-331-5706

Balgonie – October 24 – Nutrien Ag Solutions, 228 Old Hwy., 306-771-2032

Central Butte – October 24 – Hawks Agro, South Hwy. SK-19, 306-796-4787

Coronach – October 24 – Richardson Pioneer, 130 Railway Ave., 306-267-2100

Davidson – October 23 – Richardson Pioneer, Hwy. 11 S., 306-567-4778

Estevan – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, Intersection of Bienfait Municipal Rd. and Sister Roddy Rd., Hwy. 39 W., 306-634-2342

Eston – October 23 – Emerge Ag Solutions, 708 Hwy. 44 W., 306-962-4132

Fillmore– October 27 – Top Notch Farm Supply Inc., Hwy. 33, 306-722-3200

Grenfell – October 26 – Richardson Pioneer, 1110 Hwy. 47 N., 306-679-3377

Gull Lake – October 26 – South West Terminal, Hwy. 1, 7 miles east of Gull Lake, 306-672-4112

Leader – October 24 – Simplot, Hwy. 21 S., 306-628-3886

Limerick – October 23 – Limerick Co-op, 1100 Railway Ave., 306-263-2033

Maple Creek – October 25 – Richardson Pioneer, 305 1st Ave. N., 306-662-2420

Moose Jaw – October 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1-501 High St. W., 306-693-2977

Moosomin – October 27 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile west of Hwy. 1, 639-877-9010

Raymore – October 23 – Cargill, CNR Right of Way Elevator Rd., 306-746-2055

Shaunavon – October 27 – Southwest Terminal Ltd., 815 Hwy. 37, 306-297-4045

Swift Current – October 25 – Pioneer Co-op Agronomy Center, 2284 South Service Rd. W., 306-778-8705

Weyburn – October 26 – Parrish & Heimbecker, 1 mile east of Hwy. 39 S., 306-842-7436

Events take place from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Materials accepted in the Cleanfarms program include unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides. For Saskatchewan beekeepers, it also includes used miticide strips, commercial pesticides for golf courses, industrial and commercial pest control products, and livestock/equine medications that are used on-farm in the rearing of livestock, poultry, or horses in an agricultural context.

The program does not accept fertilizer, full and unopened jugs of adjuvant or surfactant, treated seed, needles or sharps, medicated feed, aerosol containers, premises disinfectants, and sanitizers.

Other items not accepted are veterinary clinic waste and medications, ear tags, aerosols, as well as domestic pesticides, fertilizers, and animal health products.

A more detailed list can be found here.

Since the program began, more than 4,200 tonnes of unwanted pesticides and 67.3 tonnes of obsolete farm animal (cattle, horses, goats, poultry) health medications have been collected across Canada.

Cleanfarms rotates the program to regions across Canada every three years, so farmers are encouraged to store the products that are accepted in the program in a safe, dry place on the farm if they’re not close to an event this year.

In the fall of 2024, events will operate in Northern Saskatchewan and return to the southern region in 2026.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW