Cheques totaling $59 million have been mailed to Manitoba farmers as the first instalment of an aid package for the province’s grain, oilseed and specialty crop producers.
The cheques represent three-quarters of the $92 million to be paid out under the Canada-Manitoba Adjustment Program 2.
Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said the final payment will be sent in late September or early October.
She encouraged farmers to submit their applications by the July 31 deadline so the final payment can be issued in early fall.
The aid package is based on farmers’ qualifying sales of eligible commodities. That is determined according to Net Income Stabilization Account data, or income tax records in the case of producers who do not participate in NISA.
Payments are based on the highest qualifying sales years of 1997, 1998 or 1999. The program was designed so producers who started farming in either 1999 or 2000 may also qualify for support.
