Today, the Alberta government announced $340 million in relief for livestock producers across the province.
As part of the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative, livestock producers can now apply for an initial AgriRecovery payment of $94 and a second payment of $106 for each head of cattle and bison on a producer’s farms — $200 per head. Other livestock is subject to different payments.
“Alberta’s government is proud to support the delivery of up to $340 million in much-needed relief to help our livestock producers make it through this difficult season,” said Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
The government instituted the initiative to address an ongoing drought that has reduced grazing and put additional stresses on the livestock industry. In addition, the government plans to help cover feed and water access costs for breeding female livestock across the province through the initiative.
“We’re here to support producers in times like these,” Darryl Kay, CEO of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation, says. “This funding helps Alberta’s livestock producers and beekeepers sustain their operations during challenging times.”
The program will be administered through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) and can be accessed here.
A “feed-need approach” will be used to triage the most affected by the drought, with the secondary payment used to supplement those who have experienced greater loss.
Payments will follow soon after applications are received, and direct deposits will be paid out by the end of September.
