hay salvage and ditch mowing
Hay can be salvaged at any time during the spring and summer months.
Hay must be cut at a uniform height in ditches and bales must be placed at least eight metres away from the shoulder of the highway.
The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure may remove and dispose of hay bales if locations are deemed unsafe for drivers.
Participants are advised to contact their local ministry office to provide contact information and limits on where they are salvaging hay. This will help to avoid disputes and better coordinate with other activities that may be happening within the highway ditch.
key dates for
hay salvage
on municipal roads
July 1 - The municipality or its contractor will begin mowing on or around this date. All salvagers must cut the hay prior to this date in order to avoid having it cut by the municipality or its contractor.
August 20 - All hay bales must be removed from ditches
or they may be removed and disposed of at
the municipality's discretion
The full Hay Salvage Policy (last amended June 8, 2023) can be found here.
key dates for
hay salvage
on provincial roads
July 8 - Up to and including this day, a landowner or lessee nearest to a highway ditch has the first opportunity to cut hay
After July 8 - Hay can be cut and baled on a first-come,
first-serve basis. The nearest landowner's permission is not required after this date
August 8 - All hay bales must be removed from ditches
or they may be removed and disposed of at
the ministry's discretion
After August 8 - Bales must be removed immediately following haying operations
