Bovine Tuberculosis Prevention Program
Program Description
This program funds activities that reduce the risk of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) spreading from wildlife to livestock in the Riding Mountain Eradication Area (RMEA).
Who Qualifies
- Eligible applicants are beef and bison producers located in the RMEA.
- For all of the assistance provided, a linkage of Premises Identification (PID) to CCIA accounts is an eligibility requirement.
- For the livestock guardian dogs and fence grants, applicants must have an up-to-date, on-farm risk assessment and $2 million in general farm liability insurance.
Available Assistance
On-Farm Risk Assessment Grant
Cattle and bison producers in the RMEA can apply for a grant for completion of an on-farm risk assessment. The grant is $500 for producers located in the core area and $150 for those in other areas of the RMEA. Producers who have already completed a risk assessment are eligible to apply if they have their assessment updated.
Data Incentive Grant-PID Linkage
Cattle and bison producers who link their PID locations to their CCIA accounts can apply for an incentive of $150. Those who have already done so, can also apply for this one-time payment. If producers have more than one CCIA account associated with their livestock operation in the RMEA, all of those accounts should be listed. If producers do not yet have a PID they must include a complete PID application with their data incentive application.
Livestock Guardian Dog Pilot Project
Producers participating in the project are eligible for assistance up to $850 per dog to assist with the purchase and veterinarian costs incurred in the first year of owning a livestock guardian dog, which must be an approved breed. Assistance is limited to $500 for the dog purchase and $350 for veterinary costs. The producer is responsible for paying for the dog purchase and veterinary care initially, and the producer is then reimbursed. Assistance is for up to four dogs in total, per farm, over the first two years of the program. The producer will agree to participate in an evaluation of the bonding, management and effectiveness of the dogs. Dogs must also be spayed or neutered.
Fence Grant Assistance
Funding is available for building barrier and 3D fences around livestock feed storage and feeding areas. On-farm risk assessments are used to prioritize which fences are approved. The number of fence projects approved is managed based on the available budget. Manitoba Agriculture determines the maximum assistance for each fence, based on fence specifications, local material cost and fence size.
The producer is responsible for construction of the fence and payment of third-party contractors and suppliers. Barrier fences must be built by professional fence contractors. For 3D fences, the producer has the option of using the farm’s own equipment and labour, or contracting it out. Fixed hourly rates apply to the use of own equipment and labour. For both types of fences, materials must be purchased (there is no compensation for materials at-hand). Manitoba Agriculture will inspect the fence to ensure fence construction guidelines are met prior to payment.
The producer agrees to build the fence according to specified guidelines, and also to use the fence appropriately (maintain it, keep gate closed etc.). In the case of a 3D fence, the producer also agrees to participate in an evaluation of the 3D fence design and effectiveness.
How to Apply
We are currently not accepting applications for the :
- On-Farm Risk Assessment Grant
- Fence Grant Assistance for the 2020 Construction Season
If you are interested in the Livestock Guardian Dog or Data Incentive Grant PID Linkage Program, contact Elizabeth Nernberg in Roblin office or Juanita Kopp in Beausejour office. See their contact information below.
Who to Contact
| Elizabeth Nernberg Manitoba Agriculture Roblin 204-247-0087 |
Juanita Kopp Manitoba Agriculture Beausejour 204-825-4302 |
