Increased funding under the Manure Management Financial Assistance Program (MMFAP) will help pig producers access more funding to help with the cost of installing manure-management and treatment systems. This announcement was made by Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Ron Kostyshyn .
The government portion of cost-share funding available to pig producers for manure treatment systems is being increased to 75 per cent from 65 per cent and the funding cap has been doubled to $500,000 from $250,000.
“Manitoba producers have always been responsible stewards of the environment as they know the vital role it plays in their farm business,” said Minister Ritz. “We are pleased to continue our support for hog producers as they in turn continue to drive our economy.”
“Since being appointed minister, I have had the opportunity to meet with some of the key members in Manitoba’s pork industry,” said Minister Kostyshyn. “I am confident that these program changes will encourage pig producers to invest in manure-treatment systems that will help us achieve our common goal of protecting our water resources and saving Lake Winnipeg.”
Funds provided in 2012 will be for treatment equipment purchased and installed in 2012.
New manure-treatment systems that separate and treat liquid and solid manure compounds have been investigated. Additional research is needed to optimize performance and provide the industry with the confidence needed to invest in this technology.
The ministers also announced a grant of $240,000 to the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI) to research methods of improving manure-treatment systems and increase performance of the technology used in the process.
In 2011, the governments of Canada and Manitoba launched the MMFAP, providing more than $26 million over three years under the AgriFlexibility Agreement to help producers build or repair manure storage structures and install manure-treatment system.
