HELP FOR LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS

Released on August 19, 2002

The province released further details today regarding its targeted

assistance program for livestock producers, which will provide as much as

$70 million to those affected by this year's drought.



"This program was designed to be strategic and targeted, to make the best

use of our financial resources and, most importantly, to provide some

assistance for those livestock producers in the hardest-hit regions of the

province," Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

Minister Clay Serby said.



"We've relied on objective rainfall data to determine those regions, which

we felt was the best and fairest method of targeting our assistance," Serby

said. "We're now in a position to start accepting applications and to get

some much-needed cash out to farmers."



Severe, high and moderate drought regions were determined using Environment

Canada rainfall data gathered between April 1st and July 31st, 2002, and

supplemented with other relevant rainfall data. The drought regions

encompass a total of 160 rural municipalities and 93 Indian reserves. A

map outlining the drought regions can be viewed at www.agr.gov.sk.ca.



Livestock producers within these regions are eligible for the province's

herd retention program, which involves a $25, $17 or $12 per animal unit

payment for breeding herd stock, depending on the drought region. In

addition, the livestock drought loan program offers a $50 loan per breeding

stock animal unit in any of the three defined drought areas.



An independent review committee will be established to review additional

rainfall data provided by RM or band councils regarding the designation of

drought areas. The review committee will be able to recommend some

adjustments to drought designations within the fiscal parameters of the

program.



Beginning August 20th, application forms for the herd retention program

will be available at Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural

Revitalization Rural Service Centres and head office, as well as RM and

band offices in the drought regions. The form will also be available on-

line at www.agr.gov.sk.ca. Application forms for the livestock drought

loan program will be available at participating lending institutions across

the province beginning August 26th.



For more information on the drought assistance program and how to apply,

producers can call toll-free 1-877-874-5365. The application deadline for

both programs is December 31st, 2002.



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For more information, contact:



Trish Alcorn

Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-5389