Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development is reminding agricultural producers affected by dry conditions of the programs and services available to livestock producers. To date, low levels of precipitation and soil moisture have slowed the growth of pastures and forage crops and reduced water levels in dugouts in parts of Manitoba.
Tools and resources for producers to manage the water supply for their livestock include:
Funding for Management of Surface and Ground Water Sources for Livestock on Pasture
Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding is provided through the Managing Livestock Access to Riparian Areas beneficial management practice (BMP) under Ag Action Manitoba – Assurance. Eligible items include:
• water source development, constructing new or rehabilitating existing wells or dugouts;
• solar, wind or grid-powered alternative watering systems;
• permanent fencing to restrict livestock access to surface water and dugouts; and
• permanent pipeline development.
Applications for the next intake will be received beginning June 8until 11:59 p.m. CST on Sept. 1. Details on the BMP are available at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadian-agricultural-partnership/pubs/guidebook/ag-action-mb-program-guide-for-farmers.pdf#page=30 and answers to frequently asked questions are at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/canadian-agricultural-partnership/pubs/faq/bmp-503-faq.pdf. For information on how to apply, visit www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/environment/environmental-farm-plan/assurance-bmp.html.
Well and Groundwater Resources
The Constructing and Sealing Water Wells in Manitoba guide provides information to private well owners on who can construct or seal a well, standards for well construction and information on well maintenance. The guide provides information when a permit, such as water use licence is needed and information on what needs to be reported to the Water Branch. It also outlines the well owner’s responsibilities after the well is constructed. To view the guide, visit www.gov.mb.ca/water/pubs/water/groundwater/publication/2017_constructing_and_sealing_water_wells_for_private_owners.pdf.
The Manitoba Well Aware booklet provides information on groundwater, water wells, water quality and water-well maintenance and can be viewed at www.gov.mb.ca/sd/pubs/water/well_aware_en.pdf.
The Water Branch can provide information on your current well if available and what the expectations might be for constructing a new well. Email your contact information, the legal land location and the information you are looking for (existing well information or groundwater potential) to groundwater@gov.mb.ca. Feedback provided may include aquifer depths, potential pumping rate, and if available the water quality in the area.
A listing of Licensed Well Drilling Contractors is also available at:
www.gov.mb.ca/water/groundwater/wells_groundwater/well-driller-contractors/index.html.
Watershed Districts
Manitoba’s 14 Watershed Districts offer agriculture producers a variety of locally developed land and water stewardship programs to protect and improve watershed health. During dry conditions and where there are watershed health benefits, some districts provide incentive programs to assist producers with the development of livestock watering systems, water supply, pasture pipelines and riparian area fencing. Watershed Districts also assist producers with accessing funding for habitat protection, soil conservation, land restoration and water management projects through the GROW and Ag Action programs. More information on Manitoba’s Watershed Districts can be found at www.manitobawatersheds.ca. More information on Manitoba’s GROW (Growing Outcomes in Watersheds) program can be found at www.gov.mb.ca/water/watershed/grow.
Producers can visit the Managing Dry Conditions section of the department website for information on managing dugouts and water quality at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/dry.html. They will also find timely information about grazing practices and alternative strategies for sourcing feed during dry conditions.
Producers can contact their local ARD and MASC Service Centre, or call 1-84-GROW-MB-AG (1-844-769-6224) for more information on any of these program
Source : Manitoba