Saskatchewan’s Irrigation Capital: World Class Hay
- Ballek Farms Ltd.
- Jun 18
- 2 min read
In the world of forage farming, few places match the natural advantages of Outlook, Saskatchewan. From the fertile soils and prairie sunshine to the clean, reliable irrigation water sourced from Lake Diefenbaker via the Gardiner Dam, everything here sets the stage for quality.
Let’s explore why this region, and the way we farm it, makes such a difference for hay buyers and exporters across Canada and the globe.
Climate That Works
Outlook sits in a climatic sweet spot of the Canadian Prairies, offering a near-ideal environment for growing high-performance alfalfa and grass hay. Our unique combination of warm daytime highs, cool nighttime lows, long summer daylight hours, and low relative humidity creates a natural system optimized for forage quality.
Warm days promote vigorous vegetative growth and efficient photosynthesis, building up water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and plant energy reserves critical for livestock feed value.
Cool nights slow down plant respiration, allowing those accumulated sugars to remain in the plant tissue rather than being burned off overnight. This natural preservation boosts Relative Feed Value (RFV) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN) - key metrics for dairy and beef performance.
High solar radiation and long daylight hours (especially during peak growing months) supercharge sugar synthesis and dry matter accumulation, helping us reach optimal cutting targets faster.
Low humidity and consistent prairie winds accelerate field drying and reduce the risk of weather-related nutrient losses. This means we can bale sooner, often within ideal moisture windows, to lock in nutrition and minimize microbial degradation.
When timed correctly, especially with late-afternoon or early evening cutting, our hay consistently tests with higher sugar content and improved digestibility. These conditions help us deliver forage that meets the needs of performance-driven operations, from dairy barns to export terminals.
Gardiner Dam: Irrigation Reliability = Consistent Quality
At the heart of our irrigation system is Lake Diefenbaker, a reservoir formed by the Gardiner Dam on the South Saskatchewan River. This isn’t just any water source-it's glacier-fed and born from the pristine snowmelt of the Rocky Mountains. As this runoff flows eastward from the high alpine terrain, it carries naturally filtered, mineral-rich water that stands out for its cleanliness and consistency.
Why does that matter?
Purity equals performance: Clean water means fewer contaminants and salts, which translates into healthier soil biology and nutrient uptake.
Low salinity advantage: Unlike regions dependent on groundwater or recycled water, our irrigation source keeps salinity in check, which is critical for long-term soil structure and hay quality.
Mineral balance: Rocky mountain-fed runoff brings a natural mineral balance that supports robust plant metabolism, leading to higher crude protein and better overall digestibility in our forage.
Final Thoughts
If you’re buying hay for performance - whether it's for milk cows, growing heifers, beef finishers, or high-value exports, you know quality matters. At Ballek Farms, we grow hay that delivers not just on nutritional specs, but also on consistency, reliability, and service.
Looking for premium hay with a dependable supply and proven nutrition? Let’s talk. Reach out at www.saskhay.ca or give us a call.
