A new program is in place to assist struggling livestock producers.
Saskatchewan's Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud has announced the Saskatchewan Feed and Forage Program (SFFP) to support livestock and forage producers affected by excess moisture.
The SFFP will provide financial support to producers who have to transport additional feed to their livestock or have to transport livestock to alternative locations for feeding or grazing because of excess moisture. Payments will be based on the amount of feed or number of animals transported, and the distance hauled.
In addition, the SFFP will provide $30 per acre to producers to reseed hay, forage or pasture land that has been damaged by excess moisture.
"The unprecedented excess moisture this year has affected the quality and quantity of feed harvested and also damaged hay and pasture land in some areas," Bjornerud says.
"I am pleased to provide this support to producers facing this difficult situation."
Producers who own, lease, custom graze or custom feed beef and dairy cattle, bison, elk, horses, sheep, goats, deer, reindeer, caribou, llamas and alpacas are all eligible to apply. All forage producers, including forage seed producers, are eligible for the reseeding portion of the program. The SFFP is retroactive to June 1, 2010, and will run to August 1, 2011.
"We appreciate the provincial government recognizing the difficulties some livestock producers are facing and stepping up to provide this new support," SARM President David Marit comments.
"This program will help those producers facing feed shortages and also help them re-establish their hay and pasture land for future years."
For more information or to complete an application form, contact a local Ministry of Agriculture office, Crop Insurance office, visit www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca, or call the SFFP toll-free line at 1-877-874-5365. Applications are also available at local RM offices.
