The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has secured an additional 840 thousand dollars in federal funding to protect critical wildlife habitat.

Stock Growers general manager Chad MacPherson says the funds support projects that include farmers and ranchers to conserve grasslands to protect species at risk like the Sage Grouse.

Between 2015 and 2020, the Stock Growers Association has signed more than 40 conservation agreements with landowners, protecting 250 thousand acres of grassland and critical habitat.

MacPherson says part of the new funding will look at compensation for fixed term easements of 10 or 25 years, which are more producer friendly than easements in perpetuity.