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Agriculture Roundup for Tuesday July 12, 2022

Jul 12, 2022 | 9:00 AM

MELFORT, Sask. – An agriculture journalist believes the Manitoba crop is as buried as he’s seen it in his 50 years in the business.

Harry Siemens said there are roughly 7,000 acres of unseeded land in Manitoba right now, which is about 10 per cent of the entire crop.

This year’s late winter and harsh spring are blamed for late seeding and many producers believe they will still be combining in November.

A farm in southwest Saskatchewan made a horrific discovery when they found 28 of their cattle dead.

Glen Briere, who farms near Mankota, said the animals were struck and killed when lightning hit a fence.

Briere said his brother-in-law was checking the animals Sunday morning when he found 14 cows, 13 calves and one herd sire dead along a fence.

Most of the animals that died were not insured, except for the bull. The family said they do have AgriStability coverage and are hoping that will help.

Starting last Friday anyone can cut and bale roadside hay in Saskatchewan without permission from the nearby landowner.

That’s if mowing and salvage operations have not already started.

Highways Minister Jeremy Cockrill said cutting grass along provincial highways reduces drifting on road surfaces during winter, improves visibility and control of brush and noxious weeds.

“The annual hay salvage and mowing program provides many benefits by taking into account the needs of area landowners, producers and motorists,” Cockrill said. “The hay salvage and mowing program strikes a balance by combining the needs of different groups and delivering a cost-effective program.”

The highways ministry tendered 102,000 acres to contractors. The first cut began last month with a focus on the north, with the second cut to begin as early as July 15.

alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW