Grain and livestock truckers using Saskatchewan's secondary-weight highways will be able to haul the same weights as on its primary highways starting Dec. 1.

When highway roadbeds freeze, both primary and secondary weight highways have the same strength and can handle heavier loads without damage. Farmers and other rural-based businesses are thus among the shippers who benefit most when provincial winter weights come into effect.

Saskatchewan's winter weight season can start as early as Nov. 16 and remains in effect until March 14, but may be restricted through a minister's order because of weather and roadbed conditions.

The highways and infrastructure ministry has, in previous years, removed winter weights in some areas where temperatures rise enough to soften secondary roadbeds early.

Saskatchewan's winter weights are typically removed on March 15, depending on the weather, but shippers are asked to "check the status regularly," the highways ministry said in a release Thursday.

"Winter weight season allows shippers to haul heavier loads during colder winter months, resulting in fewer trips and cost savings for the industry and strong economic activity for the province of Saskatchewan," Highways Minister Don McMorris said.