(Lethbridge News Now -- File photo)

By Dori Modney

Up To $200 Per Head

Alberta ranchers can now access $340 million in drought relief

Sep 7, 2021 | 5:18 PM

An Agrirecovery response to this summer`s drought, initially announced on August 6, is now available for provincial ranchers.

The 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative, is designed to halp producers with `out-of-the-ordinary` costs, as livestock producers deal with reduced grazing caused by prolonged dry weather and extreme high temperatures. The federal-provincial-territorial disaster relief program is supported on the 60-40 cost-shared federal-provincial basis outlined under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Cattle producers are able to apply for $200 per head from the $340 million support initiative.

Devin Dreeshen, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, outlined the need for the program.

“Alberta’s livestock producers have experienced exceedingly dry conditions for months, putting additional stress on the very Albertans who feed Canadian families. Alberta’s government is proud to support the delivery of up to $340 million in much-needed relief to help our livestock producers make it through this difficult season.”

Producers can apply for an initial AgriRecovery payment through the 2021 Canada-Alberta Livestock Feed Assistance Initiative to help cover feed and water access costs for breeding female livestock across the province.

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Cattle and bison will be eligible for an initial payment of $94 per head and a secondary payment of $106 per head, for a total of $200 per head. Other livestock will be subject to a different per head payment.

Using a “feed-need approach“, supplemented by receipts, a secondary payment of up to $106 per head will be available to producers who have experienced extraordinary costs as a result of the drought, in addition to the initial payment.

Administered through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC), program terms and conditions are posted on AFSC’s website. An AFSC Connect account is required to receive payments and directions on how to sign up for AFSC Connect are available on AFSC’s website.

Payments will be sent out soon after applications are received. Once applications are approved and processed, those who sign up for the direct deposit option will see payments toward the end of the month.

“As ranchers suffer from one of the worst droughts in history, the UCP is delaying much-needed support by breaking it up into two payments. If the UCP wanted to help ranchers, they would give ranchers the full amount of support immediately,” said NDP Agriculture Critic Heather Sweet, in a statement issued Tuesday.

“Worst of all, delaying the full amount of support means the UCP doesn’t trust ranchers to keep their herds whole. It’s time for the UCP to quit playing politics, quit delaying, and step up with the full amount so ranchers can make it through this difficult year.”

(With files from rdnewsNOW)