Harvesting Hay on Public Land
- Submitting Your Application
- Priority of Applications
- Fees for Harvesting Hay
- If Applicant Is Unable to Harvest the Hay
- Dispositions Issued on the Same Area
- Harvesting Hay on a Grazing Lease or Grazing Permit
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In Alberta there's vacant public land that contains hay that can be harvested and sold, or fed to livestock. However, before this hay can be cut, authorization must be obtained from the appropriate government agency.
Submitting Your Application
Applications are available from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development. An application can be submitted after January 1 for the year in which the hay is to be cut. In addition to the application, you must also show that you have legal access, or an agreement for access to the parcel of land containing the hay. The application and proof of access is then submitted to your local Lands Division office.
Priority of Applications
Applications received on or before May 31 are given equal priority. Any applications received after that date, are dealt with in the order in which they were received. If more than one application for the same parcel is received before May 31, the allocation may be negotiated or another method, such as a bid process, may be used to allocate the hay.
If only one application is received and providing cutting hay is an acceptable use of the land, the local area office of Lands Divsion authorizes temporary use of the land for cutting hay. This authorization is issued after June 1, and it expires on October 31 of the same year.
Where the hay is on Crown-owned bed and shore, the owner of the adjacent land, lying within the same quarter section or parcel is given priority provided the landowner submits an application before June 1. If this does not occur, the authorization can be given to another applicant. This is subject to an agreement between the province and the adjoining landowner on the boundary of the land.
Fees for Harvesting Hay
The applicant must estimate the volume (tonnage) of hay to be cut at the time of application. Based on this estimate, the applicant is charged a set fee per ton of native hay or tame hay. This fee must be paid before the authorization will be issued. The fees are listed in the current Schedule of Charges and can be obtained at any local Lands Division office. If the amount harvested is greater than the estimate, the applicant must pay an additional fee for the extra tonnage. If the amount harvested is less than estimated for reasons beyond the applicants control, the applicant can apply for a refund.
If Applicant Is Unable to Harvest the Hay
If a situation arises that prevents the applicant from cutting some or all of the hay, the applicant may apply in writing to the local Lands Division office for a partial or full refund. An explanation of why the harvest wasn’t completed must accompany the refund application. This request must be submitted no later than December 1 of the year in which the authorization was issued.
Dispositions Issued on the Same Area
The temporary authorization for harvesting hay doesn't restrict the province from issuing another type of disposition for the same parcel of land. However, the disposition holder must recognize the applicant's right to harvest hay.
Harvesting Hay on a Grazing Lease or Grazing Permit
A grazing lease or grazing permit holder may cut a limited amount of hay on the grazing disposition area without additional charge. This can be done providing the hay is to be used to feed the disposition holder's own livestock. The amount is limited to three (3) tons per year, per head of livestock legally grazing on the disposition.
Before harvesting the hay, the disposition holder needs to contact the local Lands Division office to discuss the intended cut. The amount to be harvested can then be confirmed, along with any corresponding reduction in grazing that may be necessary to ensure the required carry-over of forage is maintained.
For updated information
Contact any of the offices below:
Alberta Sustainable Resource Development
Lands Division
Rangeland Management Branch
South Tower, Petroleum Plaza
9920 - 108 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 427 3595
Forestry Division
Forest Management Branch
9920 - 108 Street NW
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2M4
Telephone: (780) 422 4590
OR call the Lands Division office in your area.
