Livestock Drought Relief Applications - Now Open!

Applications open today, October 30, 2023, for the 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance Program, providing livestock producers with up to $165 million to maintain breeding herds.

The Provincial and Federal Governments are partnering on this program to support livestock producers facing extraordinary costs due to this year's dry conditions. Funding for the joint AgriRecovery initiative is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).

Livestock producers who altered their usual grazing practices for more than 21-days this season due to drought conditions can apply for financial support to cover losses incurred to manage and maintain female breeding animals. Cattle, bison, horses, elk, sheep, goats, alpacas, yak, musk ox, deer, water buffalo, and llamas are all covered under this program. A minimum of 15 animals per type of livestock is required to qualify.

Benefits will be based on a feed-need calculation for feed-costs incurred from lost grazing days for eligible breeding animals on hand as of December 31, 2023. Eligible producers could access up to $150 per head to help maintain the breeding herd in drought regions.

Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) will administer the initiative. More information and applications can be found on their website at afsc.ca

The applications deadline is January 15, 2024 and can include costs incurred until March 31, 2024.