The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing financial support to Manitoba’s Livestock Predation Prevention Program, which supports the adoption of proactive on-farm measures to deter predator attacks, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

“Our hardworking livestock producers can face major challenges due to predator attacks,” said MacAulay. “This funding will ensure our producers have access to the tools they need to modernize their operations so they can continue to farm alongside rural wildlife while protecting their bottom lines.”

Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the governments are providing $500,000 to reduce the risk of livestock predation and promote the coexistence of wildlife and livestock in agricultural regions of Manitoba. The funding supports the purchase of equipment, livestock guardian dogs and constructing predator-resistant fencing.

“Predation-related challenges pose a significant concern for Manitoba’s livestock producers, who not only lose animals but experience significant economic losses as well,” said Kostyshyn. “Producers will be able to make on-farm management changes that should reduce livestock predation and will help offset compensation claims under the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program funded by the federal and provincial governments.”

Wildlife predation of livestock is a significant problem for Manitoba producers, with over 2,000 livestock lost each year. The Livestock Predation Prevention Program provides two funding streams for producers:

• Pre-approved Livestock Predation Prevention Equipment and Guardian Dogs will allow eligible applicants to purchase solar foxlights, electronet, fladry and livestock guardian dogs.
• Predator-Resistant Fence Construction will allow eligible applicants to apply for funding to support construction of eligible fencing that deters predators from entering calving and lambing areas, pastures, extended grazing areas and deadstock compost sites.

Livestock producers that had a paid livestock predation claim under the Manitoba Wildlife Damage Compensation Program from 2021 or later are eligible to apply for the Livestock Predation Prevention Program. Eligible applicants can be reimbursed up to 75 per cent of total eligible expenses to a maximum of $5,000 for pre-approved equipment and guardian dogs, and $10,000 for fence construction.

In 2020, Manitoba launched the Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot Project, led by Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) in partnership with Manitoba Agriculture and the Manitoba Sheep Association (MSA). Over 100 projects were completed on 48 farms across the province under this pilot. The Livestock Predation Prevention Program builds on the success of the pilot.

“Manitoba Beef Producers welcomes this valuable commitment to cost-shared funding for practices aimed at reducing the risk of predation and encourages eligible producers to explore the two programs,” said Matthew Atkinson, president, MBP. “MBP appreciates the engagement with the province on the development of strategies to help reduce livestock predation and the negative effects it has on our sector.”

Manitoba’s Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources department will also be increasing funding for the Manitoba Targeted Predator Removal Program by $90,000, for a total funding commitment of $150,000. This funding will allow the program greater flexibility in addressing livestock predation concerns.

“Manitoba’s livestock producers asked for help with predation and our government listened,” said Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Jamie Moses. “In collaboration with the producers and in partnership with the ministry of agriculture, we are addressing their concerns by more than doubling the Targeted Predator Removal Program. Producers will now have the opportunity to be compensated for the preventative management issues that they have been dealing with for a number of years.”

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a five-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5-billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially-territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

For information and to apply for the Livestock Predation Prevention Program, visit: www.manitoba.ca/scap/resiliency/livestock.html.

(Government of Manitoba news release)