It has been announced that members of the agricultural industry in southern Saskatchewan are being invited to safely and responsibly dispose of their unwanted or obsolete pesticides and livestock (including equine) medications from October 27-31.

CleanFARMS, an industry-led, national not-for-profit agricultural waste management organization, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) is offering this program, which comes at no charge to farmers, this fall.

"The Canadian Animal Health Institute's participation in this program is just one part of our industry's commitment to safely managing animal medications throughout their lifecycle," said Jean Szkotnicki, president of CAHI. "Our members are happy to be able to provide Saskatchewan's livestock and equine community with this service."

Saskatchewan's farmers have a long history of good stewardship practices. Since 1998, farmers in Saskatchewan have returned more than 380,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. The last time the program was delivered in 2012 more than 60,000 kilograms of product was collected and safely destroyed, which is a testament to Saskatchewan farmers' commitment to being responsible stewards of the land. This year is the first time in Saskatchewan that livestock and equine medications have been added to the program.

"We are pleased that the previous collections in Saskatchewan have been huge successes," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS. "The participation of Saskatchewan farmers just goes to show how committed they are to protecting the environment."

After collection, the pesticides and medications are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

The following locations will be accepting obsolete pesticides and livestock/equine medications from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the dates specified:

Monday, October 27, 2014

• Cargill in Congress, 306-642-4956
• Richardson Pioneer in Davidson, 306-567-4778
• Blair's Family of Companies in McLean, 306-699-2822
• Wynard Coop Agro in Wynard, 306-554-3644

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

• Richardson Pioneer in Lampman, 306-487-3121
• Richardson Pioneer in Canora, 306-563-5177
• Hillcrest Enterprises Ltd. In Coronach, 306-267-6110
• Richardson Pioneer in Kindersley, 306-463-3399

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

• Top Notch Farm Supply Inc. in Fillmore, 306-722-3200
• Richardson Pioneer in Maple Creek, 306-662-2420
• Sharpe's Soil Services Ltd. In Moosomin, 306-435-3319
• Crop Production Services in Shaunavon, 306-297-4121

Thursday, October 30, 2014

• Ren Gro Fertilizer Ltd. In Milestone, 306-436-4330
• Crop Production Services in Oxbow, 306-483-2908
• Blair's Family of Companies in Strongfield, 306-857-2225
• Richardson Pioneer in Swift Current, 306-778-1616

Friday, October 31, 2014

• Innova Ag Solutions Inc. in Central Butte, 306-796-2102
• Future Four Agro Inc. in Macoun, 306-634-9320
• Prairie Plains Ago Ltd. In Moose Jaw, 306-692-1661
• Crop Protection Services in Regina, 306-757-3501

The obsolete pesticide and livestock/equine medication collection program is a national program that comes to each province on a three-year rotating basis. In between collections periods, farmers are asked to safely store their unwanted pesticides and livestock medications until they can properly dispose of them through the program.

(CleanFARMS Inc.)