Agriculture minister David Marit has announced a rate freeze charged to producers who lease Crown grazing land in 2023.

As well, Marit says lessees who are forced to reduce stocking rates on crown land due to ongoing dry conditions are eligible for a rent reduction.

Marit says says the 2023 rate reduction will match the reduction in carrying capacity, ranging from a 20 percent rate drop up to a maximum of 50 percent.

Saskatchewan has about six million acres of Crown land under grazing leases.

Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s chair Arnold Balicki says the changes are welcome.