Hay Bale Photo Credit: Tobi - Pexels

By Jesse Gill

Process for hay bales from Cypress County ditches

Aug 1, 2024 | 5:15 PM

Off to the sides of roads and highways in parts of Cypress County, there are hay bales in the ditches.

The adjacent land owners, or other interested ranchers or farmers will fill out an application with the county prior to the start of May to be able to cut the grass in the ditch to make hay bales.

Ken Jacobs, director of public works with the county, said this gives time to plan.

“That gives us enough time to organize our roadside mowing program and delete these areas and reserve them aside for the requested area,” Jacobs said.

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“Also the haying needs to be done before August 1st.”

With the deadline now here, you should see the hay bales being removed.

There are a number of requirements that need to be adhered to.

Hay bales must also be left three or more metres from the side of the road, not left in an area that will block drainage, and removed 72 hours from when cut.

Jacobs said it’s important to have these ditches cut down, especially with how thick and tall the grass grew this year.

“We need to make sure that it’s mowed down for safety, animal clear visibility, at night and in the daytime as well as keeping the right of way clear for snow drifting in the season that’s coming up here.”

For those permitted to cut and make the hay bales, $2 million in liability insurance is also required.

Ditches along the Trans-Canada Highway are not part of those that can be applied for and are taken care of by Volker Stevin.