Funding from both the federal and provincial government levels will be made available to pasture patron groups which are interested in taking over community pastures from the federal government.
Funding from both the federal and provincial government levels will be made available to pasture patron groups which are interested in taking over community pastures from the federal government.
The federal government is in the process of dismantling the PFRA, which oversees both community pastures and a shelterbelt tree farm at Indian Head, and are asking the users of the community pastures to take the grazing lands over.
Under the Saskatchewan Farm Business Development Initiative, pasture patron groups are eligible for up to $120,000 per group.
Funding will be made available to patron groups for up to 75 per cent of the costs associated with establishing legal entities and the development of business plans, up to a maximum of $80,000.
In addition, funding will be available for up to 75 per cent of the costs for patrons to improve their business management skills, up to a maximum of $40,000.
"Returning these lands back to their provincial owners is a great opportunity for those, with a more direct stake in the use of the land, to take over the pasture management. Our government is pleased to work with the province of Saskatchewan and use the flexibility of Growing Forward programming to support this transfer," said Gerry Ritz, federal Agriculture minister.
"Pasture patrons have been the priority for our government throughout this transition. This funding will help patron groups with the business costs associated with assuming operation of these pastures," added provincial Ag minister Lyle Stewart.
So far, of the community pastures in Saskatchewan, a group of 10 pastures have been selected as the first ones to make the transition from the PFRA to a local patron group.
The Saskatchewan Cattlemen's Association has set out their position on what should occur in the divestiture of the pastures.
The SCA stated that the government should assist patron groups to set up a shareholders or co-operative system; the land should be transferred in a block and not divided up; natve rangeland should have a no-break, no-drain policy; sales should be made at market value; and patron groups will own or control the pasture, whether deeded or leased.
"Saskatchewan cattle producers rank environmental stewardship as a high priority, for the benefit of their operations and for the sustainabilty of the environment," said Mark Elford, chair of the SCA.
