By Andrea Nicholl
Federal and provincial governments have committed relief and support to livestock producers with the delivery of a Pasture Recovery Initiative designed to help producers cope with extreme drought and poor pasture conditions.
Under the 2010 PRI, livestock producers living in the eligible counties and municipal districts in central and northern Alberta and west central and northwest Saskatchewan will receive pasture assistance for breeding livestock, totalling up to $114 million.
“When disaster strikes our producers need to know there’s a helping hand, that’s why federal and provincial governments work together to build the AgriRecovery program from the ground up,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz, adding 60 per cent of PRI assistance will come from the federal government and the remaining 40 per cent will come from Alberta and Saskatchewan. “Our governments have worked together to ensure our producers get the help that they need to keep their pastures productive and to help restore their bottom line,” he said.
“Farmers are used to adjusting to weather conditions, but two successive years of extreme drought puts severe stress on the business and the family.”
Throughout 2008 and 2009, areas across Alberta and Saskatchewan were affected by extreme drought, delaying pasture development for 2010. The PRI is designed to offset feed costs while damaged pastures recover and to help strengthen Canadian exports and industry competitiveness.
“This is a good day for our Ag. industry,” said Jack Hayden, Alberta Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development. “It’s going to allow our producers some much needed time and support to evaluate their pastures and make their decisions going forward.”
Government estimates there are more than 2.2 million breeding animals in the affected areas and officials say eligible livestock producers will receive payments based on the type of breeding animals they had as of Jan. 1, 2010. PRI will pay $60 for horses, $50 for beef cattle and bison, $25 for Elk, $12.50 for deer and llamas and $10 for sheep, goats and alpacas.
“I realize this support won’t solve all the problems facing the area and producers, but we hope that it will go to help them through this situation,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud.
Minister Ritz acknowledged the gamut of challenges facing Canadian farmers and defended the delay in assistance by stressing the need for careful consultation among levels of government and industry.
“This goes a long way to the type of system we’ve been asking for, which includes cash payments to allow producers the flexibility to make the right decisions for their farms, whether it’s buying feed or moving cattle to areas where there is feed,” said Brad Wildeman, of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
Alberta producers within the primary drought regions will receive an information package and application form in the mail. The application must be completed and returned to the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation. Applications will also be available at www.afsc.ca and AFSC offices within the affected areas.
Eligible producers in Saskatchewan can pick up their applications at their local RM office, Saskatchewan Agriculture Regional Office, Crop Insurance Office or by calling 1-877-874-5365. Applications are also available online at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca.
Fifty-nine Alberta counties and municipal districts and 64 in Saskatchewan, will be subject to the assistance.
For a list of affected areas visit the government of Alberta or Government of Saskatchewan websites at www. alberta.ca or www.gov.sk.ca.
The deadline to apply for pasture assistance in both provinces is Sept.1, 2010.