Calgary (Rural Roots Canada) – Relief is on the way for more cow-calf producers in Alberta.

The 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance Initiative, through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP), is expanding to 23 new regions and extending the application deadline on its previously announced program.

Any livestock producer who was forced to alter their grazing practices due to the drought for more than 21 days this season can apply for financial support to help cover the losses incurred to manage and maintain female breeding animals.

Cattle, bison, horses, elk, sheep, goats, alpacas, yak, musk ox, deer, water buffalo and llamas all qualify, so long as the producer as the herd includes at least 15 animals per type of livestock.

Producers can receive up to $150 per head.

In a statement on their website, the Alberta Beef Producers were happy to see the expansion.

“We are very pleased that Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative is extending to areas that weren’t originally included in the eligibility requirements, and appreciate the federal and provincial governments working with the cattle industry on this,” said Brodie Haugan, Chair of Alberta Beef Producers (ABP). “Thank you for hearing and addressing our concerns.”

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The joint AgriRecovery initiative by the Canadian and Alberta governments is an expansion of the initial support announced last October.

The application process will open on January 29, with a deadline set for February 22.

Extraordinary costs can be incurred until March 31.

It is also open to livestock producers who are in areas where the initiative was already announced.

More information on the program and how to apply can be found at the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation’s (AFSC) website.

A map of the areas eligible: