Manitoba launches pilot project to enhance forage productivity of agricultural crown lands

(Debra Murphy/RealAgriculture)

The governments of Canada and Manitoba will spend $1 million on the new Agricultural Crown Lands Forage Productivity Pilot Program.

The program is aimed at improving productivity and sustainability of agricultural Crown land forage leases. It will provide targeted financial assistance to such forage leaseholders to adopt best management practices to sustainably increase productivity.

Eligible recipients must have an active agricultural Crown lands lease that is in good standing and must complete an Environmental Farm Plan.

Eligible items under the 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.

Larry Wegner, chair of the Manitoba Forage and Grassland Association, says this is a good first step in the right direction to help producers improve forage and pasture quality in the pilot project area.

“As a pilot project, it also means the project has potential to help producers as required in those key program areas right away, with the potential for possible design and delivery in other key forage-producing areas across the province,” says Wegner.

Improvements for the program must be completed within the one-year pilot project. Farmers can begin submitting applications on November 8, 2021.

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