Feds, province fund fight against livestock predation

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This article was published 26/04/2024 (882 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The federal and provincial governments are tackling the issue of livestock predation in Manitoba together with new funding announced on Thursday for Manitoba’s Livestock Predation Prevention Program.

Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn issued a joint press release on Thursday announcing that a $500,000 investment under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) would go to the program for the acquisition of essential equipment, including livestock guardian dogs and the construction of predator-resistant fencing.

“Our hard-working livestock producers can face major challenges due to predator attacks,” MacAulay said. “This funding will ensure our producers have access to the tools they need to modernize their operations so they can continue to farm alongside rural wildlife while protecting their bottom lines.”

Predation is a major concern for Manitoba’s livestock producers, who not only lose animals but experience significant economic losses in the process, Kostyshyn said. As the Sun reported in January, the Manitoba Agricultural Service Corporation has seen an increase in claims for livestock losses due to wolves in western Manitoba since 2022, when 513 claims were made. In 2023, 579 claims were filed, though the fiscal year hadn’t ended yet. The province says that more than 2,000 livestock fall victim to wildlife predation annually in Manitoba.

Thanks to the newly announced funding, producers will be able to make on-farm management changes that should help to reduce livestock predation and offset compensation claims under the Wildlife Compensation Program funded by the federal and provincial governments, Kostyshyn said.

The two primary funding streams under the predation prevention program include pre-approved livestock predation prevention equipment and guardian dogs, allowing eligible applicants to procure a range of deterrents, including solar foxlights, electronet and fladry (ropes mounted along the top of fences from which strips of fabric flap in the breeze); and funding support for the installation of predator-resistant fencing around critical areas such as calving and lambing zones, pastures, extended grazing areas and deadstock compost sites.

Livestock producers who have incurred paid livestock predation claims under the Manitoba Wildlife Damage Compensation Program since 2021 are eligible to participate in the predation prevention program. Reimbursement of up to 75 per cent of total expenses, with a cap of $5,000 for pre-approved equipment and guardian dogs, and $10,000 for fence construction, is available to successful applicants.

Building upon the success of the 2020 predation prevention pilot project, spearheaded by Manitoba Beef Producers in collaboration with Manitoba Agriculture and the Manitoba Sheep Association, the program represents a pivotal advancement in mitigating predation risks, the federal and provincial governments say.

Matthew Atkinson, president of MBP, welcomed the federal and provincial commitment to cost-shared funding under the program.

“MBP appreciates the engagement with the province on the development of strategies to help reduce livestock predation and the negative affects it has on our sector,” he said.

The province has also announced a $90,000 increase in funding for the Manitoba Targeted Predator Removal Program, bringing the total commitment to $150,000. This enhanced funding allocation will bolster the program’s efficacy in addressing livestock predation concerns, providing producers with the support they urgently require, said Jamie Moses, Manitoba’s economic development, investment, trade and natural resources minister.

» The Brandon Sun