Provincial government announces details of the program, which is intended to help producers weather this year’s drought
Saskatchewan announced details of its AgriRecovery drought funding Aug. 30 and is accepting applications as of Sept. 1.
The 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative will pay a maximum of $200 per head for female breeding stock.
The money will come in two payments. The first will be $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of Aug. 1. The second payment will be up to $100 per equivalent as of Dec. 31.
Eligible livestock include Canadian-owned beef and dairy cows, bison, elk, sheep and goats. Beef, dairy and bison cows are considered one animal unit equivalent, while elk are .5 AUE, and sheep and goats are .2 AUE.
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The maximum total payments per operation will be $3 million. The minimum payment will be $500 per payment.
Saskatchewan agriculture minister David Marit said the program is also available to 15 percent of open replacements kept for breeding the following year.
He said the province is pleased to help producers after the devastating drought this year.
“We have worked efficiently to solidify initiative details and understand producers need financial assistance to help offset costs associated with their management decisions,” he said.
Full details and applications are available on the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corp. website.
Marit said Aug. 30 he believed the industry and producers are pleased with the program even though they would like more money.
He said he has talked to ranchers who told him the $200 per head would mean they didn’t have to cull as hard heading into the winter.
Marit said the federal election call didn’t hamper development of the program because the funds had been announced and assessments were underway.
The minister said grain and livestock producers are working together to make sure animals will be fed this winter. The feeding season will be longer than usual for many.
He cited an agreement he knew of between two producers who made a deal for feed after 11 quarters of durum were written off.
Saskatchewan has committed $119 million of borrowed money to finance this program, plus there will be the costs of writing crops off and paying out more in crop insurance.
Meanwhile, in Manitoba, agriculture minister Ralph Eichler is set to announce program details this week. That government has committed $62 million.
Alberta plans a $94 initial payment, followed by a second of $106.
Ottawa has pledged $500 million to the western provinces for its share.
