The Manitoba government has pledged $400,000 for a program to help livestock producers remove dead stock from their farms.
Under the program, which took effect April 6, Rothsay Rendering will pick up about 6,000 cattle, horses and bison at no cost to producers.
The initiative comes at a time when producers are still struggling with the effects of the closed U.S. border to Canadian cattle. Manitoba agriculture minister Rosann Wowchuk said in a statement that it will save producers the expense of removing dead livestock that accumulated over the winter.
Carcasses will be disposed of in designated municipal landfills in accordance with provincial and municipal regulations.
“Our first priority is to ensure carcasses are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner,” Wowchuk said.
Manitoba legislation gives producers four options for disposing of deadstock: burial; composting; incineration or rendering.
Producers can phone Rothsay at 888-768-4729 for pick-up information. They can also contact their local agriculture office for more details.
