They talked about the possibility at zone meetings this fall, and now Alberta sheep producers have gained access to funding for radio frequency identification tag readers and technology.
The provincial government announced the $300,000 funding Dec. 20, using money through the federal Growing Forward plan.
The Alberta Sheep RFID Technology Assistance program will cover 70 percent of costs for tag readers, software and training to a maximum of $5,000 per sheep operation. The applicant will cover the other 30 percent.
Coverage applies only to eligible equipment, a list of which is provided at www.sheepcentral.ca. Sheep producers must apply for funding by March 15 and applications will be managed on a first come, first served basis.
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“A traceability system is a win-win for Alberta sheep producers, the value chain and consumers,” said federal agriculture minister Gerry Ritz in a news release.
“By helping to expand the livestock traceability system, our governments are reinforcing Alberta’s reputation for producing safe and high-quality food.”
Alberta Lamb Producers president Phil Kolodychuk said the program meshes well with a tag incentive program already in place, in which the province reimburses sheep producers for part of their RFID tag costs.
“The availability of the tag incentive program and now the reader/software grant enables more producers to access RFID tools to increase the productivity and profitability of their operations,” Kolodychuk said.
The tag and technology programs are designed to encourage Alberta sheep producers to use RFID technology, which will improve traceability.
Alberta’s sheep flock comprises 183,000 animals on 1,900 farms. It makes up 17 percent of all sheep in Canada.
