The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is five-year suite of programs that launched in 2023 and offers a variety of programs, including some for sheep producers.
The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program (FRWIP) is one of the most popular programs, providing rebates for the development of new water sources such as wells, pipelines, dugouts and small dams for agriculture use.
The Livestock Facility Emissions Program supports intensive sheep and hog operations to adopt practices and technologies or complete barn modifications that will improve their environmental performance and help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Eligible expenses include:
· lighting and ventilation upgrades for improved energy efficiency;
· On-farm energy generation such as wind, geothermal or solar energy;
· Efficiency upgrades to water-use equipment;
· And expenses related to liquid manure management that will reduce emissions.
The Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program (RALP) provides funding to producers for beneficial management practices that increase environmental resiliency. BMPs of interest to sheep producers may include:
· Funding for seeding tame and native forages;
· Grazing management for native and riparian areas; and
· Livestock stewardship.
The Targeted Grazing BMP is useful in managing large-scale invasive weeds by grazing small ruminants such as sheep or goats. This BMP provides funding for costs associated with either contracting a small ruminant grazier or costs associated with a producer managing a flock themselves to control invasive weeds.
The Animal Health and Biosecurity Program helps producers by partially funding approved livestock handling equipment that meets industry standards to improve biosecurity and animal welfare initiatives on their farm.
For more information on the eligibility requirements, funding levels and eligible expenses on these programs check out our website at www.saskatchewan.ca/s-cap or contact your local Ministry of Agriculture regional office to speak with an agriculture programs specialist.
For more information, call the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.