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It is good practice to test your livestock water sources multiple times a year and especially throughout the summer to monitor quality. Water samples can be submitted to a Ministry of Agriculture regional office or many Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) offices for quality screening at any time during the year.
This summer, the Ministry of Agriculture’s livestock and feed extension specialists are working to make water testing more accessible to livestock producers in Saskatchewan. Specialists will be available in towns across the province to provide water testing on site or working with the community to provide a location for producers to drop off samples to be tested at a later date. Having water samples screened is a service provided by the ministry at no cost to the producer if the water is intended for livestock consumption and producers have a Premises Identification (PID) number.
The table below outlines the locations and days the mobile service will be provided. Some locations are drop off only as indicated, other locations will have a livestock and feed extension specialist present to test your samples and to answer any further questions you may have. In areas with drop off only, your local regional specialist will be in contact with you to discuss the results and decide if further screening is needed. If further screening is required, samples will be sent to the Roy Romanow Lab for a complete analysis.
When collecting your water sample, be sure to use a clean bottle or container and collect approximately one litre of water from the source in question. Try to keep dirt, plant material and debris out of the sample, if possible. For surface water sources, reach out as far as possible to avoid mud and murky water at the edge of the water body. Be sure to label your bottle or container with your name, sample date, a source name (e.g. south slough) the source type (dugout, well, etc.) and source land location. If you take the sample prior to the day you are bringing it in, store it in a cooler or fridge.
For more information about our water testing, or other livestock related topics, contact your local livestock and feed extension specialist or the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with Livestock and Feed Extension Specialist Adrianne Good click on the link below.
Dates for 2023 Location Time
June 13 Maple Creek Vet Services & 4-H Regional Sale 12 to 3pm
June 15 RM of Chaplin Office (drop off only) 2 to 4 p.m.
June 26 to 30 RM of Brock Office (drop off only) 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
July 2 to 5 Weyburn 4-H Sale, Milestone Club Stall
July 4 and 5 RM of Bulyea Office (drop off only) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Raymore SCIC Office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RM of Wadena Office (drop off only) 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1 to 4:30 p.m.
July 7 Mankota RM Office 1 to 3 p.m.
July 10 to 13 RM of Surprise Valley Office (drop off only) 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
July 13 RM of Chaplin Office (drop off only) Pick-up at 3 p.m.
July 25 RM of Rockglen Office 1 to 4 p.m.
August 1 to 2 RM of Bulyea Office (drop off only) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Raymore SCIC Office 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
RM of Wadena Office (drop off only) 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.; 1 to 4:30 p.m.
August 17 RM of Chaplin Office (drop off only) Pick-up at 3 p.m.