Province highlights Animal Health and Biosecurity Program for farmers looking for help affording crucial upgrades

Jan 22, 2025

The government of Saskatchewan is highlighting their Animal Health and Biosecurity Program to help farmers know what options are available to them.

The program covers a number of livestock, including beef cattle, bison, cervids, dairy, honey and leaf-cutter bees, as well as poultry, sheep, goats and swine.

Agriculture Program Specialist with the Ministry of Agriculture Jason Falk says the goal is to keep those animals healthy.

"The program helps producers enhance biosecurity and animal welfare, or providing resources such as funding for equipment, technical assessments, and educational support. The goal is to help producers meet industry standards, work towards certifications and adopt innovative and improved practices that protect their herds and contribute to overall farm sustainability."

In order to be a part of the program Flak says that producers need to complete industry-specific training or reach certification threshold, along with having an identification number and being over 18.

Anyone looking to be a part of the program can receive rebates for getting the proper equipment.

"Producers can apply for reimbursement or for eligible items or equipment they purchase. So we're going to use a B-stream as an example. Under the B-stream, it's up to $2500 in funding available for producers who complete the verified beef production plus training. Those who go the extra step to become certified through B+ can receive an additional $12,500 for a total of $15,000 in funding."

There are a number of eligible items for producers to look at, such as surveillance systems and upgraded pens, with that equipment changing with the different species.

For more info on what equipment is eligible and how to be a part of the program, Falk recommends heading online.

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Video: Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

Let's celebrate Canadian agriculture.

Well, number one, you don't eat without farmers. Farmers put food on the table. And what could be more important than that?

Well, I think it's important that Canadians understand exactly what takes place, what happens to produce this food, no matter what sector you're talking about.

An awful lot of work goes into that. It's important to understand that meat does not come out of a showcase, and milk does not come out of a bottle. It's produced by farmers and hard work.

Canada has the best farmers in the world. And agriculture is vital to Canada.

In 2024, our agriculture and agri-food sector represented $150 billion of Canada's GDP, nearly $100 billion of our exports, and one in nine jobs.

From grains to fruits to dairy and beef, we are truly blessed with an incredible bounty. Having spent my whole life in agriculture, I see so much potential for the sector.

This time last year, I was proud to open our first-ever agriculture and trade office in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economy, to cement our presence in the region and grow our exports even more. We've also been making historic investments to help our farmers to boost their yields, protect the planet, and earn a fair living.

The world wants more top-quality, sustainable food, and I know our Canadian farmers can deliver. And it's so important that you do that with pride. We need you.

Quite simply, you eat the most top quality food in the world. You do that because of the quality of farmers and ranchers you have in this country.

Just say thank you to a farmer or a rancher. They work very hard, yes, for a living, but also with a sense of pride in what they produce.

That's what Canada's Agriculture Day is all about.