The Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program provides bison producers and First Nation Bands raising bison with a rebate for approved eligible expenses and equipment improving 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 $15,000.
Eligible applicants can receive a rebate for more than one project or application but cannot exceed the maximum program payment of $15,000 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. Program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250. The minimum claim amount is $500.
Applicant Eligibility
- Saskatchewan bison 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 bison.
- Bison producers or First Nation Bands who have completed the Bison Biosecurity Welfare Program training.
- For First Nations Bands – this may include a band council member, the manager (e.g. oversees the 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 training.
- Bison producers or First Nation Bands who have a valid veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) with a veterinary clinic or veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.
- Saskatchewan bison producers 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 rebate.
- 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, apiculture, 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 Bison Biosecurity and Welfare Program training available through the Saskatchewan Bison Association. Information on the Bison Biosecurity and Welfare Program training is available by emailing the Saskatchewan Bison Association.
- Have a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association or a veterinary clinic validate you have a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR).
- If you do not have a valid VCPR, work to establish one with a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association or the associated veterinary clinic.
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 $15,000. 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.
Biosecurity Improvements:
- Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) tag reading equipment (tags are not eligible).
- 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 stem, metal or wood posts, all types of wire, staples or fasteners).
Animal Welfare Improvements:
- Bud box (metal).
- Dart gun.
- Crash gate.
- Neck brace.
- Squeeze chute/exit alleyway handling 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.
- Belting for alleyways.
- Stationary or portable covering for the handling chute (frame with tin/metal roofing or tarp system).
- Non-slip rubber padding.
- Movable/free-standing panels and gates in handling area (metal).
- Segregation box stalls in handling area (metal sheeted panels and gates).
- Weigh scale/system including load bars, platform, load cells, cables and weigh indicator. Weigh indicator may be purchased as part of package or standalone. Group scales are not eligible.
- Feed scale (scale used in conjunction with feed or mixing wagon). Feed or mixing wagons are not eligible.
- Remote surveillance for water monitoring:
- Game camera connected to cell service to monitor water sites.
- Range booster.
- Loading chute (metal, adjustable and portable or stationary).
- Electric saw dehorner.
- 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.
- Training costs.
- 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 using 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 CAP 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 - Bison
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
