By Ellen Keys, Agriculture Extension Student, Moose Jaw
May 2024
Regularly monitoring water quality is very important for livestock producers, especially throughout the summer. The Ministry of Agriculture regional offices as well as most Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) offices accept water samples for quality screening throughout the year. Screening water samples intended for consumption by livestock is a no-charge service the ministry provides for producers who have a valid Premise Identification (PID) number.
To make this service more accessible to producers, the Ministry of Agriculture’s livestock and feed extension specialists are hosting Water Blitz events throughout the summer. The table below summarizes the dates and locations of the Water Blitz events for 2024.
Livestock producers may bring 1L water samples to be tested for quality free of charge. Specialists will either be available on site that day for screening and discussion or will pick up the samples from these locations for testing. For locations with drop-off only, your local regional specialist will contact you to discuss the results and determine if additional analysis is required. Should further testing be required, samples will be sent to the Roy Romanow Provincial Lab for a complete analysis.
Tips for water sample collection
- Use a clean bottle or container.
- Collect approximately 1L from the water source where your animals will be drinking from.
- For dugouts, try to reach out as much as possible and avoid the murky water at the edge of the water body.
- Label your bottle or container with your name, sample date, a source name (e.g. new dugout), a source type (dugout, well, etc.) and source land location.
- Any sample taken the day before delivering it should be refrigerated or stored in a cooler.
For more information about water testing or other topics related to livestock, contact your local livestock and feed extension specialist or the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
| 2024 Water Blitz Dates | ||
|---|---|---|
| Surprise Valley RM Office, Minton | May 27-31 | 2-3 p.m. |
| Wadena RM Office | June 3-4 July 8-9 August 6-7 |
Drop-off: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. 1-4 p.m. |
| Nokomis Town Office | June 3-4 July 8-9 August 6-7 |
Drop-off: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. 1-4:30 p.m. |
| Rockglen RM Office | June 5 July 17 |
1-3 p.m. |
| Mankota RM Office | June 7 August 6 |
2-3 p.m. |
| Chaplin RM Office | June 19 July 16 August 13 |
Drop-off by 2 p.m. |
| Pleasant Valley RM Office | June 20 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Marriott RM Office | June 20 | 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. |
| Deep South Animal Clinic, Ogema | June 20 August 22 |
2-3 p.m. |
| Assiniboia SCIC Office | June 26 August 14 |
2-3 p.m. |
| Maple Creek RM Office | June 27 July 25 August 29 September 26 October 24 |
Drop-off by 2 p.m. |