Ducks Unlimited Canada has hay land available in several Saskatchewan RMs

Through its annual hay tender process, Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has once again opened several properties for hay and grazing. This marks roughly two decades of a habitat management program that’s helped hundreds of Saskatchewan livestock producers meet the need for adequate forage.

In recent years, DUC has been making available roughly 75,000 acres of hay and pasture annually. From a land management perspective, the program helps keep forage stands healthy and vigorous, manage weeds, and maintain productive habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.

Ask any DUC staff responsible for delivering the program, and they’re more likely to tell you how much they appreciate its value to Saskatchewan livestock producers.

Leah Tallis is a Conservation Program Specialist with DUC’s Saskatoon office and has been supporting the company’s habitat management efforts in that area since 2020. And in that time, she’s heard from many happy program participants.

“I always get feedback about how healthy DUC forage stands look during the hay tender season. I’ve had some gorgeous forage crops to offer to people,” Tallis says. “I think it’s because we are conservative with our management techniques, and we are working with great cooperators that take care of the grass.”

DUC manages land through haying and grazing once every two to three years and at stocking rates that leave ample residual cover. Coupled with the expertise of staff agrologists around optimal forage mixtures and best practices to help ensure successful establishment, DUC’s grass-farming competence guarantees a great catch of forage on its properties across southern Saskatchewan.

While additional moisture this spring has remedied the feed shortages of the last few years, the value of the program, and of DUC’s management approach, was particularly evident during the recent drought.

“One Allan Hills producer sent me a video and said that the cattle were belly-deep in grass on one the driest years they’ve had, that you couldn’t tell there was even a drought happening,” explains Tallis. “He really appreciated being able to work together, since the DUC grazing and hay he had access to helped keep his herd going through those dry years.”

“It makes me feel good that DUC can provide a lifeline for guys in tougher times.”

This year, DUC has land for tender in roughly 40 Saskatchewan rural municipalities. Producers interested in additional hay or grazing can visit ducks.ca/hay-tender-sask to view the full parcel listing and place their bid, or call 1-866-252-3825. Deadline to bid is 12 p.m. (CST) Thursday, July 11, 2024, and access to land is granted on or after July 15, 2024.