Ottawa, Manitoba Announce Drought Support for Livestock Producers

The federal and Manitoba governments have unveiled new support measures to assist livestock producers facing drought-related challenges in the province.  

Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) will provide support measures through its AgriInsurance program, improving cash flow for livestock producers needing to secure additional feed, said a provincial news release Wednesday. 

For claim calculation purposes, MASC will be applying a quality adjustment factor to reduce yield appraisals by 40% for drought-stricken cereal crops - all varieties of wheat, oats, barley, fall rye, triticale and grain corn - that are converted to livestock feed. This quality adjustment was last implemented in 2021 and contributed to over 100,000 acres of grain crops being converted to livestock feed. 

Changes for producers with AgriInsurance coverage on forage and pastures include: 

• deferred premium deductions on payments for forage insurance claims made prior to Oct. 1; 

• partial claim payments on forage insurance and pasture days insurance claims, when feasible; and 

• ability for livestock to graze on insured forages after the first cut without impact on claim calculation. 

MASC will also offer lending clients an opportunity to defer loan payments and will provide guidance on appropriate options to finance feed purchases, if needed, the release said.