Manitoba: The governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing up to $1 million in the new Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program aimed at improving productivity and sustainability of Agricultural Crown Land forage leases, announced today by the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, and Minister Ralph Eichler, Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development.
The Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program will provide targeted financial assistance to Agricultural Crown Land forage lease holders to adopt best management practices to sustainably increase the productivity on their Agricultural Crown Land forage leases.
Eligible recipients must have an active Agricultural Crown Land lease that is in good standing and must complete an Environmental Farm Plan. Eligible items under the Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program include grazing management plans, water source development and watering systems, cross-fencing for pasture management, and forage rejuvenation such as forage establishment and brush management. Improvements must be completed within the one-year pilot project. Farmers can begin submitting applications on November 8, 2021.
“Canada’s hardworking farmers and food processors have a solid track record of sound management practices. This new pilot project will encourage Manitoba Agricultural Crown Land lease holders to adopt further beneficial management practices in their operations, helping them improve productivity while further protecting the environment,” Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
“This pilot project aligns directly with our Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy of increasing forage productivity on our Agricultural Crown Lands, and supports the mandate of the Agricultural Crown Lands program to optimize forage capacity. Cost-shared programs such as this can help offset costs for leaseholders and reduce barriers to making improvements on Agricultural Crown Lands,” Ralph Eichler, Minister of Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development