The Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program provides beef cattle producers, First Nation Bands raising beef cattle and beef cattle grazing associations operating on Saskatchewan Crown land pastures, with a rebate for voluntary veterinarian assessments, Verified Beef Production Plus (VBP+) audits (including re-certification) and approved eligible equipment expenses that improve biosecurity and animal welfare practices. Eligible applicants must meet program criteria below.
Rebate Details
Funding is available for eligible expenses and equipment purchases.
Approved eligible expenses and equipment costs are funded at 50 per cent to a maximum program payment of $2,500 or $15,000 depending on the application stream.
If a beef cattle operation receives the maximum $2,500 under the training stream and then completes the VBP+ audit and moves into the certification stream, they would then be eligible for up to the remaining $12,500.
Eligible applicants can receive a rebate for more than one project or application but cannot exceed the maximum program payment over the five-year program term of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. The deadline for rebate applications is March 31, 2028.
Equipment must be installed and/or functional to be eligible for rebate. Pictures may be requested. Multiple applications per operation are allowed, but program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250. The minimum claim amount is $500.
Applicant Eligibility
- Saskatchewan beef producers (individual, partnership, co-operative or corporation) who can demonstrate a minimum of $50,000 gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the year of application or the year prior to the application. Individual producers must be at least 18 years of age; or
- First Nation Bands in the Province of Saskatchewan raising beef cattle.
- Beef cattle grazing associations operating on Saskatchewan Crown land.
- Beef producers, beef cattle grazing associations, or First Nation Bands who have completed the required VBP+ training or certification steps.
- The pasture manager, or person in an equivalent role who oversees the day-to-day operations and care of the animals in the pasture, must complete the required VBP+ training or VBP+ Audit to achieve Certification.
- For First Nations Bands - A band council member, the manager (eg. oversees the cattle or bison), or the individual(s) who oversee the day-to-day operations and care of the animals on the First Nation must complete the required VBP+ training or VBP+ Audit to achieve Certification.
- Saskatchewan beef producers, beef cattle grazing associations, or First Nation Bands who have a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number.
Our rebate programs allow flexibility for new entrants to become eligible if they are confident they will be able to provide proof of meeting the gross farm income threshold within the five-year term of Sustainable CAP. Complete the below New Entrant Self-Assessment for details:
New Entrant Self-Assessment:
- Did you earn less than $50,000 in gross farm income in the year of or the year prior to the application?
- Have you recently (roughly within the last five years) made a significant purchase of land, livestock, or other investment for the purpose of farming, which will allow you to generate $50,000 in gross farm income by March of 2028?
- Have you actively operated a farm or ranch and earned farm income for five years or less over the previous five years, either as a sole operator or with other related entities who have operated a farm or ranch for five years or less?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, please contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1‑866‑457‑2377 and ask to be connected with an agriculture programs specialist to discuss whether or not you are eligible as a new entrant.
First Nation producers may have distinct characteristics reflecting regulatory, operational, cultural and other factors. Our programs are designed to allow for flexibility to reduce barriers and ensure accessibility. If you are interested in applying for programs and have questions about the application process or eligibility criteria, please contact one of our Building and Strengthening Indigenous Supports (BASIS) specialists or contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377 and ask to be connected with one of our BASIS team members.
Eligibility Criteria/Other Parameters
- Project (and any expenses) must have commenced after April 1, 2023.
- Persons related to an eligible applicant will be subject to the program’s maximum funding cap for that eligible applicant. Related applicants include:
- The maximum amount that may be paid to an eligible applicant, including persons related to an eligible applicant, may not exceed the maximum funding cap per applicant/related entity over the life of the program.
- “Related applicants” include but are not limited to spouses, business partners, relatives living in the same residence, individuals/entities which have controlling interests in more than one operation and operations that are not legally, financially or operationally sufficiently independent of other entities.
- In determining whether a person/entity is a related applicant, the ministry may consider the following factors:
- whether the person/entity is engaged in a common enterprise with the applicant as a corporate affiliate or subsidiary, partner, member of a joint venture, trustee of a trust or estate in which the eligible applicant has a substantial beneficial interest or any other relationship which evidences an intention to share the profits or risk of loss of the operation with the eligible applicant;
- whether the person/entity makes operational decisions in respect of the operation or makes those decisions jointly or in common with the eligible applicant;
- whether the person is responsible to ensure that day-to-day operations are completed respecting the operation;
- whether the person/entity and the applicant have access to common assets such as land, machinery, processing equipment, crop storage or animal handling facilities used in the operation;
- whether the person/entity files separate income and expense statements for income tax purposes;
- whether the person/entity maintains separate farm or business accounting records;
- whether the person maintains a separate bank, credit union or trust company account;
- whether the person has a separate Goods and Services Tax number;
- whether the person/entity has any other financial interest in the operation; and
- any other matter that the ministry believes is relevant to the legal, financial or operational independence of the operation.
- For more information about related entities please send an email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
- Applicants who share livestock facilities will be considered one operation and subject to the maximum program rebate of either $2,500 or $15,000 depending on the application stream.
- Depending on the application stream, maximum program rebate is per operation which may include more than one project location or a related applicant and includes Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program funding from all species on the operation (beef, bison, sheep, etc.).
For clarification regarding eligibility, related applicants or shared facilities, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.
Before You Apply
- Review the program eligibility and eligible expenses and equipment list.
- Complete the Training stream or the Certification stream.
- Training Stream - $2,500 maximum funding
- Step 1: Complete the VBP+ training. The pasture manager, or person in an equivalent role who oversees the day-to-day operations and care of the animals must complete the training.
- Step 2: Have a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association or a veterinary clinic validate you have a valid veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR).
If you do not have a valid veterinarian-client-patient-relationship, work to establish one with a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association or the associated veterinary clinic.
- Certification Stream - $15,000 maximum funding
- Step 1: Complete the VBP+ training. The pasture manager, or person in an equivalent role who oversees the day-to-day operations and care of the animals must complete the training.
- Step 2: Complete the VBP+ Audit and achieve Certification. Information on the VBP+ training and the On-farm Audit and Certification process is available on the Verified Beef Production Plus website.
- Step 3: Have a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association or a veterinary clinic validate you have a VCPR.
Download the Veterinarian-Client-Patient Relationship Verification Form
Eligible Expenses or Equipment
Equipment, items, or activities below are rebated at 50 per cent of eligible costs to the maximum program payment of $2,500 or $15,000, depending on the application stream. There is no limit to the number of equipment items a producer may purchase within the program maximum rebate.
Eligible items include:
- Veterinarian assessments are voluntary and are funded to maximum of $500 per operation. This can include more than one assessment or a follow-up assessment. Applicants who share livestock facilities will be considered one operation and subject to the maximum rebate of $500.
- Biosecurity or animal welfare Protocol Manuals or Standard Operating Procedures developed by a veterinarian or clinic for use on your livestock operation.
- VBP+ audit (includes recertification audit) rebates are eligible to a maximum rebate: of $625 for Level 1 (cow-calf); $875 for Level 2 (backgrounding); $1,000 for Level 3 (feedlots) and $125 for each secondary VBP+ audit/certification for the operation.
Biosecurity Improvements:
- Segregation pen:
- Metal panels, metal gate(s) and metal feed trough/bunk(s).
- Gates(s) and metal bunk(s) must be purchased and claimed in conjunction with the metal panels.
- Deadstock site fencing (may include metal panels and gate, sucker rod or drill stem, metal or wood posts, all types of wire, staples or fasteners).
- Fencing to prevent access to stored feed and standing water (may include metal panels and gates, sucker rod or drill steam, metal or wood posts, all types of wire, staples or fasteners).
- Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) tag reading equipment (tags are not eligible).
Animal Welfare Improvements:
- Hoof trimming chute and/or tilt table (stationary or portable, hydraulic or manual, including leg restraint(s).
- Bud box (metal).
- Cattle oiler.
- Loading chute (metal, adjustable and stationary or portable).
- Livestock weigh scale package. Package may include load bars or load cells, platform, weigh indicator and cables. Weigh indicator may be purchased as part of package or standalone. Group scales are not eligible.
- Feed scale used in conjunction with feed or mixing wagon. Feed or mixing wagons are not eligible.
- Squeeze chute:
- Portable or stationary, manual or hydraulic including powerpak, all types of gates, head gate, palpation cage and extra restraints, purchased as part of a package or standalone.
- Alleyway (metal, all types of widths and lengths).
- Crowding tub (metal, all sizes).
- Rubber traction matting for loading facilities and working cattle facilities.
- Calving/maternity pen (metal, all types with headgate).
- Portable calf cart with headlock.
- Calf tip table/chute/spin chute, including neck extender.
- Remote surveillance for calving:
- All equipment, antennas and cables to support up to four indoor cameras and up to four outdoor cameras (e.g., 20x PTZ), repeater and recording unit with hard drive.
- Vaccine cooler:
- Vaccination/medication organization system including vaccine tubing, holsters and medicine administration guns (must be claimed as a package).
- Remote surveillance for water monitoring:
- Game camera connected to cell service to monitor water sites.
- Range booster.
- Portable corral systems or portable handling systems.
- May include level and temperature monitoring equipment, SD card.
Ineligible Activities or Expenses
Ineligible activities or expenses include:
- Invoices not issued in the applicant's name.
- Start-up operations i.e. locations where livestock facilities with permanent infrastructure necessary for confining and handling livestock did not previously exist.
- Expenditures prior to April 1, 2023.
- Equipment or items not identified as eligible expenses or equipment.
- VBP+ training costs for either on-line or in-person workshop.
- Staff training for equipment.
- Equipment or items such as windbreaks, windbreak panels, concrete, paddock slabs, water bowls or water appliances.
- Subscription fees or services.
- Applicant, employee or third-party salaries or labour and installation costs or administration costs.
- Basic repair and maintenance, replacement parts or ongoing expenses.
- Purchase of buildings or construction of new buildings, additions or building modifications.
- Cost for use of own equipment or tools.
- Used, leased or fabricated items or equipment, including equipment purchased at auction - to be eligible, new items or equipment must be purchased from a recognized dealer. For the purposes of the program, a recognized dealer is typically defined as a business where manufacturing is a key service or the business is an authorized dealer for a certain item(s).
- Extended warranty or insurance costs.
- Taxes, financing fees, interest charge or legal fees.
- In-kind materials.
- Plumbing and electrical expenses.
- Shipping, freight or brokerage fees.
- Fees paid to third parties for application support.
- Any submissions for rebate utilizing a third-party vendor must be from a vendor who is third party arm's-length, or the claim will be funded based on the actual purchase price and require the submission of original invoices.
- Costs claimed for expenses/activities which may receive funding under other Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership programs, or any other government grant, rebate or assistance program.
- Upgrades to or purchase of specialized feeding equipment to implement more efficient feeding regimes.
- Upgrades to or purchase of specialized watering equipment to implement more efficient watering regimes.
Apply
Review the program details including eligibility and eligible expenses or equipment.
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. Applicants are encouraged to submit rebate claims as soon as the equipment is fully installed and operational. All invoices must be paid in full before applying for the rebate. Proof of payment may be requested in the form of bank/credit card statements or processed cheque images from your financial institution. Please submit copies of invoices as originals will not be returned.
Projects must be completed and applications for rebate submitted by March 31, 2028.
Download the Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program Rebate Application - Beef Cattle
Note: It is recommended this application form be saved to your computer before entering in the information.
Completed application packages can be submitted by email to agprograms@gov.sk.ca or mail to:
Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program
Ministry of Agriculture, Programs Branch
329 – 3085 Albert Street
Regina, SK S4S 0B1
