The Assurance System Producer Program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership has closed and is no longer accepting new applications. If you have an approved project underway and require the corresponding claim forms, please call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 or email the agprograms@gov.sk.ca mailbox for assistance.
The Assurance System Producer Program provides cervid producers with a rebate for veterinarian assessments and approved eligible equipment expenses that improve biosecurity practices. Eligible applicants must meet program criteria below.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for a rebate if you are a:
- Saskatchewan cervid producer (individual, partnership or corporation) who can demonstrate a minimum of $15,000 gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the year preceding or in the year of the application. Individual producers must be at least 18 years of age; or
- First Nation in the Province of Saskatchewan (must be a cervid producer).
- Cervid producer who has completed the On-Farm Cervid Biosecurity training; and
- Cervid producer who has had a veterinarian assessment and Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report completed by a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.
- Saskatchewan cervid producer who has a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number.
Multiple applications per operation are allowed, but program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250.
For the purposes of the program, related applicants are subject to the maximum program rebate of $15,000. Related applicants include:
- Spouses;
- Partners;
- Relatives in the same residence; or
- Individuals /entities who have controlling interests in more than one operation.
Applicants who share livestock facilities will be considered one operation and subject to the maximum rebate of $15,000.
Maximum program rebate is per operation which may include more than one project location or a related applicant and includes Assurance System Producer Program funding from all species on the operation (beef, bison, sheep, etc.).
For clarification regarding eligibility, related applicants or shared facilities, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
Rebate Details
Funding is available for veterinarian assessments and approved eligible equipment. Equipment must be installed and/or functional to be eligible for rebate. Pictures may be requested.
- Approved eligible costs are funded at 50 per cent to a maximum program payment of $15,000.
- Step 1: Complete the On-Farm Cervid Biosecurity training.
- Step 2: Have a veterinarian assessment and Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report completed.
- The veterinarian assessment and Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report must be completed before any equipment purchases are made.
- Maximum rebate for veterinarian assessments and completing the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report is $500 per operation (this can include more than one assessment or a follow-up assessment). Applicants who share livestock facilities will be considered one operation and subject to the maximum rebate of $500.
- Program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250.
Training
Information on the On-Farm Cervid Biosecurity is available by emailing the Saskatchewan Cervid Alliance.
Veterinarian Assessment and Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report
The veterinarian assessment must be completed by a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association. The veterinarian must be an arm's-length party from the operation being assessed. The legal land location of the project location/facility assessed must be identified on the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report. After the visit to the operation, the veterinarian completes the online Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report based on the on-farm assessment, saves a copy for their records and provides a copy to the producer.
Note: The Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report must be completed electronically by the veterinarian and a copy provided to the producer. Handwritten reports will not be accepted.
Download the Veterinarian Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation report.
Before you apply
- Review eligibility;
- Complete the On-Farm Cervid Biosecurity training available through the Saskatchewan Cervid Alliance; and
- Have a veterinarian assessment and the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report completed by a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.
Eligible Expenses
Items below are rebated at 50 per cent of eligible costs to the maximums where indicated. Items must be identified on the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report, completed by the veterinarian, to be considered for funding. There is no limit to the number of equipment items a producer may purchase within either the equipment or program maximums. Items as identified on the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report, regardless of risk level, will be considered for funding.
Eligible items include:
Biosecurity
- Segregation pen (max. rebate of $5,000):
- Metal panels, metal gate(s) and metal feed bunk(s); and
- Gate(s) and metal feed bunk(s) must be claimed in conjunction with the metal panels;
- Deadstock site (fencing) (max. rebate of $750):
- Fencing: posts (metal or wood), wire and fasteners (staples);
- Fencing to prevent access to stored feed and standing water (max. rebate of $2,500):
- Posts (metal or wood), wire and fasteners (staples);
- Signage for controlled and restricted zones:
- Gate and visitor signs specifying biosecurity;
- Cleaning and disinfection station(s):
- Hand wash and/or boot wash stations;
- Load in/out improvements:
- Anti-slip rubber matting, ventilation and lighting; and
- Manure management: fencing to prevent access (max. rebate of $2,500):
- Fencing: posts (metal or wood), wire and fasteners (staples).
Ineligible Expenses
Ineligible expenses include:
- Start-up operations i.e. locations where livestock facilities with permanent infrastructure necessary for confining and handling livestock did not previously exist;
- Expenditures prior to date of the veterinarian's Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report and program launch of June 13, 2019;
- Equipment or items not recommended or identified on the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report;
- Training costs;
- Staff training for equipment;
- Equipment or items such as: windbreaks, windbreak panels, concrete, paddock slabs, water bowls or water appliances;
- Applicant, employee or third-party salaries or labour and installation costs or administration costs;
- Basic repair and maintenance or ongoing expenses;
- Purchase of buildings or construction of new buildings, additions, or building modifications;
- Cost for use of own equipment or tools;
- Fabricated items or equipment not purchased from a recognized dealer. For the purposes of the program, a recognized dealer is typically defined as a business where manufacturing is a key service or the business is an authorized dealer for a certain item(s);
- Leased, used or self-made equipment, including any equipment purchased at auction;
- Extended warranty or insurance costs;
- Financing, interest, legal fees or taxes;
- In-kind materials;
- Plumbing and electrical expenses; and
- Shipping, freight or brokerage fees.
- Any submissions for rebate utilizing a third-party vendor must be from a vendor who is third party arm's-length, or the claim will be funded based on the actual purchase price and require the submission of original invoices.
- Costs claimed for expenses/activities which may receive funding under other Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs, or any other government grant, rebate or assistance program.