Wildlife Lands Available for Cattle Grazing

Released on July 19, 2017

Environment Minister Scott Moe is reminding livestock producers that 90,000 acres of Fish and Wildlife Development fund (FWDF) lands are available to producers for grazing until September 15.  This will enhance producers’ ability to manage potential feed shortage due to Saskatchewan’s current dry conditions.

“We know grazing and haying benefits wildlife habitat management and provides additional opportunities for producers,” Environment Minister Scott Moe said.  “That is why we are pleased to make this FWDF land available and hope this helps to address the challenges some producers are facing due to dry conditions.”

Recent crop reports state that significant rain is needed to enhance hay and pasture volumes.  Currently, only 24 per cent of the Saskatchewan hay crop is cut and 39 per cent is baled or put into silage.  Therefore, the Ministry of Environment’s  90,000 acres of FWDF land could be a significant benefit to producers.  To date, 23 Saskatchewan producers in 18 different rural municipalities have grazing agreements on FWDF lands.  

The ministry has a land management trust agreement with Ducks Unlimited Canada, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation to manage all provincial FWDF lands.  

“I would like to acknowledge this ongoing partnership that will maintain or improve wildlife habitat, while providing mutual benefits to the agriculture and conservation communities,” Moe said.

The FWDF land, located throughout the province, is native prairie or other grasslands, and is typically used for conservation purposes.  While some of the available land has water sources and is fenced, much of the land will require temporary fencing or water.  Producers who are awarded access to FWDF lands may be responsible for the cost and construction of any necessary improvements.  The grazing lease fees that apply to agricultural Crown land will apply to the FWDF land, with revenues generated funding future conservation initiatives.

Visit www.fwdf.ca for a list of FWDF land by rural municipality, or call 1-844-306-3933 toll-free for more information.

-30-

For more information, contact:

Michele McEachern
Environment
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0412
Email: michele.mceachern@gov.sk.ca