Leafcutter Bees – Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program

The Animal Health and Biosecurity Producer Program provides leafcutter bee producers with a rebate for approved eligible equipment expenses that improve biosecurity practices. Eligible applicants must meet the program criteria below.

Rebate Details

Funding is available for eligible equipment purchases.

Approved eligible 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 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.

New equipment must be installed and/or functional to be eligible for a rebate. Pictures may be requested. Program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250. The minimum claim amount is $500.

Applicant Eligibility

• A Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number is now required for Alfalfa Leaf Cutter Bee producers to apply for this program.
• Saskatchewan leafcutter bee 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 (must be a leafcutter bee producer).
• Saskatchewan leafcutter bee producers who have completed the Saskatchewan Leafcutter Bee Biosecurity training.
• Saskatchewan leafcutter bee producers who have completed an on-site self-assessment and the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report validated by the Provincial Apiculturist.

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:

1. Did you earn less than $50,000 in gross farm income in the year of or the year prior to the application?
2. 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?
3. 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 August 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, leafcutter bees, 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 Biosecurity training available through the Saskatchewan Leafcutters Association. Information on this training is available by emailing the Saskatchewan Leafcutters Association.
• Complete an on-site self-assessment using the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report. Once completed, the report is provided to the provincial apiculturist for validation. The Provincial Apiculturist reviews and validates the report and a copy is returned to the producer to submit with their application for rebate.

Note: The Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report must be completed electronically and a copy provided to the provincial apiculturist to validate. Handwritten reports will not be accepted.

Download the Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report for Leafcutter Bees

Eligible Expenses or Equipment

New items/equipment below are rebated at 50 per cent of eligible costs to the maximum program payment of $15,000. The Self-Assessment/Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report must be validated by the provincial apiculturist to be considered for funding. There is no limit to the number of new equipment items an apiarist may purchase within the program maximums. Items as identified on the Self-Assessment/Biosecurity Equipment Recommendation Report, regardless of risk level, will be considered for funding.

New eligible items or equipment may include:

Biosecurity Improvements for Leafcutter Bees

• High pressure/hot water/bleach washer:
  • To decontaminate plastic shelters, trays, incubator surfaces etc.
  • Molds, yeasts, bacteria, chalkbrood
• Bleach dipping tanks and spray tables:
  • Decontamination of nesting materials
  • Molds, yeasts, bacteria, chalkbrood
• Leafcutter bee cell breaker/tumbler/conditioner:
  • Removes disease cadavers
  • Molds, yeasts, bacteria, chalkbrood
• UV light water traps:
  • Identify parasite levels for treatment thresholds in the incubators can also help to reduce parasite levels.

Ineligible Activities or Expenses

Ineligible activities or expenses include:

• Invoices not issued in the applicant's name.
• Start-up operations i.e., locations where facilities with permanent infrastructure necessary for beekeeping did not previously exist.
• Expenditures prior to the program launch date of August 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.
• 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, 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 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.

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 - Leafcutter Bees

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