By Trish Johnson, PAg, Agriculture Programs Specialist, North Battleford
February 2024
Bison hold a special place among Saskatchewan’s diverse livestock industries, playing a vital role to Saskatchewan’s economy, contributing both cultural significance and environmental sustainability. Programs available under the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP) support the bison industry’s efforts to maintain resilient farming practices. Some of the programs include:
- Animal Health and Biosecurity Program provides funding to bison producers to improve animal health and biosecurity initiatives on their farm by partially funding the purchase of eligible equipment that meets industry standards. Eligible equipment purchases are funded at 50 per cent to a maximum program payment of $15,000 over the five-year program period. Producers must take the Bison Biosecurity and Welfare training provided by the Saskatchewan Bison Association. More information on this training is available by contacting the Saskatchewan Bison Association at 306-585-6304 or by visiting their website. In addition, producers must provide proof of a valid Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship (VCPR). This form is available on the Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program webpage. RFID tags are not eligible, but are required when transporting any livestock, including bison. A new addition to the eligible equipment list is radio frequency identification technology (RFID) tag reading equipment.
- Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) provides rebates of 50 per cent of eligible costs for the development of new secure and sustainable water sources for agricultural use. The maximum program funding is $75,000 per eligible applicant over the five-year term of the program. Eligible items include the development of a new well, pipeline or dugout as well as related infrastructure including water bowls, troughs, pumps and pressure systems. Infrastructure items must be associated with a new water development project. Power infrastructure including solar, wind and electrical are now eligible to a maximum payment of $20,000 over the five-year term of Sustainable CAP.
- Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP) is a new suite of beneficial management practices (BMPs) providing funding to producers to increase the environmental resiliency of their agricultural land. BMPs of interest to bison producers may include:
- Funding for seeding tame and native forages;
- Grazing management for native and riparian areas;
- Rangeland health assessments; and
- Livestock stewardship.
To be eligible for these programs under Sustainable CAP, bison producers must be at least 18 years of age and be able to demonstrate at least $50,000 gross farm income in Saskatchewan or be a First Nation Band operating in Saskatchewan. All bison producers are required to have a Premises Identification (PID) Number.
For more information on these programs and others, please contact your local agriculture programs specialist by calling the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.