2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative

Agriculture Minister David Marit has released the details around Saskatchewan's AgriRecovery program.

Starting September 1st, livestock producers can submit their applications under the 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative.

Eligible Livestock include female beef, dairy cattle, bison, elk, sheep or goats .

Producers will receive two payments totalling up to $200/head for cattle, with adjustments based on animal unit equivalents for other livestock.

The initial payment will provide producers with $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of August 1, 2021.

The secondary payments will be up to $100 per breeding female equivalent in inventory as of December 31, 2021.

Marit says the program will be delivered through Saskatchewan Crop Insurance.

"We need the numbers of what their breeding stock is. They're also allowed to hold back 15% of their breeding stock or their replacement heifers for next year's breeding as well. It's a program that we've done a lot of work with the federal government on, to get the details going, so that we can get the applications out as quick as possible. So that the ranchers could really start getting the funds they need. Obviously whether they need it to replace feed, or whether they needed to improve water or whatever the case may be, but there's the ability for the ranchers to use the money as they see fit for their operation."

The 2021 Canada-Saskatchewan Drought Response Initiative will provide financial relief to help offset the extraordinary costs livestock producers face related to the current drought, with a per head payment on female breeding livestock.