Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says freezing the scheduled rental rate for agricultural Crown land (ACL) forage leases for the 2025 growing season is about affordability.
For 2025, the annual rent will be set at the same rate as 2024 for ACL forage leases and permits, which, according to the Province, means producers won't see an increase to the rate on their invoice for 2025.
"This is something, in particular, that we're looking at for the beef producers and the operations that have grazing lands on Crown lands," explained Kinew.
"When we talk to beef producers across the province, we keep hearing about input costs and, ag Crown lands, that's one area that we as a government do have control over that particular cost," added the Premier. "Government can't do everything," he noted. "So, we're not able to completely move the needle in every area that we would like. But in this specific area, that is going to benefit a lot of beef producers out there across Manitoba, we are taking that step to make sure this input cost stays affordable."
It's also about succession planning and ensuring the young producers have a fighting chance.
"We hear from so many people in small communities that the idea of starting ranching for the next generation is tough," said Kinew. "But if we ensure that it's accessible for that young farmer, that young rancher, to be able to get their start, to be able to afford the payments for grazing land, that's a big priority for us. Making sure that the next generation in the ag industry is going to be able to get their start."
Manitoba's agricultural Crown lands are parcels of land leased to producers for agricultural use including grazing, haying or annual cropping.