The Manitoba and federal governments continue to support producers and have launched two programs under the AgriRecovery framework for livestock producers to help with the extraordinary costs incurred for feed and transportation.
“Manitoba producers care deeply about their livestock and these programs will help producers buy feed or to help get the feed they have purchased delivered to their animals, or get the animals to another location where feed is available,” said Agriculture and Resource Development Minister Ralph Eichler. “This has been a tough year and we continue to take strides to support our producers in any way we can.”
Under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, livestock producers can now apply to two programs. The Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program will help producers purchase and test feed for livestock to maintain their breeding herds including transporting purchased feed from distant locations. The Livestock Transportation Drought Assistance program will offer assistance to help offset freight expenses associated with moving livestock to alternative feed supply areas.
Eligible animals under the Livestock Feed and Transportation Drought Assistance program are breeding animals of beef and dairy cattle, horses raised for pregnant mare urine (PMU), sheep, goats and bison. Producers must be supporting a minimum of 10 animals to qualify for assistance and the program covers feed and feed transportation expenses between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022. Feed must have been delivered from a supplier at least 40 kilometres away and assistance is available for hauling feed for up to a maximum one-way distance of 600 km. Eligible feed purchases are those made between June 1, 2021, and March 15, 2022.
The Livestock Transportation program offers help for producers with extraordinary costs to transport breeding animals of beef cattle, sheep and goats to alternate locations to feed, up to 1,000 km. This program does not cover moving animals to market or sale.
Manitoba is also in the process of designing a cowherd-rebuilding program under the Canada-Manitoba AgriRecovery Drought Assistance framework to help livestock producers forced to sell breeding stock due to limited feedstock in 2021 with the goal to rebuild their herds starting in 2022. The details of this program are currently under development.
“Manitoba Beef Producers appreciates the release of the AgriRecovery program details and the opening of the application process. These programs will help address some of the extraordinary costs beef producers have been incurring due to the drought conditions,” said Tyler Fulton, president, Manitoba Beef Producers. “Producers are making important management decisions for their operations heading into the next few months, and having access to these programs will certainly help with that process. Looking further ahead, we welcome continued discussions with governments about how a herd recovery program will be framed.”
Earlier this month, the Manitoba government announced an investment of $62 million under the AgriRecovery framework, designed to support livestock producers affected by this year’s drought conditions. AgriRecovery is part of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership agreement, with funding shared on a 60-40 federal-provincial basis.
“Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) welcomes today’s announcement of programs under the AgriRecovery framework to help livestock producers manage ongoing drought conditions,” said Jill Verwey, vice president, KAP. “These programs will help producers with immediate feed and transportation needs as they plan for the long-term recovery of their operations.”
For more detailed program information, producers can contact their Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Service Centre, call the department toll-free at 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224) or visit manitoba.ca.
Applications are available at manitoba.ca and must include receipts for feed purchases and transportation. Specific tools and resources for managing in dry conditions are available at manitoba.ca.
