By Alice McFarlane

Saskatchewan livestock producers given more time to complete water projects

Jan 19, 2022 | 11:57 AM

MELFORT, Sask. — The deadline has been extended for livestock producers struggling to finish water projects.

It’s been a challenge for producers to finish dugout, wells and pipelines through the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) because of difficulties finding contractors and the materials required.

The program has been adapted to allow livestock producers who plan to claim over $50,000 in rebates to submit a preliminary application by March 31. The project must be completed by Sept. 30.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau said the past year has been a harsh reminder of how important water reliability is to agricultural producers.

“By extending the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program, we are giving farmers more time to complete projects such as dugouts, wells and pipelines, that will help to ensure a better supply of this essential resource for livestock,” Bibeau said.

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Last July the Saskatchewan government announced changes to temporarily increase the maximum funding a livestock producer can receive from the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program.

For the period April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022, the maximum rebate for livestock producers only increased to $150,000.

The first $50,000 is based on a 50-50 cost-share and the remaining $100,000 is a 70-30 government-producer cost-share.

Agriculture minister David Marit said the government recognizes the challenges producers are facing.

“It is important to provide more time for producers to complete their water projects so they can take advantage of additional funding to develop secure and sustainable water sources to meet the needs of their operation and help them mitigate the impacts of future dry conditions,” Marit said.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW