Saskatchewan will put up $5 million for its livestock producers to get cash back on the cost of radio frequency identification (RFID) equipment for animal traceability.
The province on Tuesday launched a Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate, which will provide rebates of up to 70 per cent of eligible costs for buying and/or leasing RFID hand-held and panel readers.
Funding is also available for training, software, installation and modifying livestock facilities as they relate to the use of RFID readers, the province said in its release.
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Cattle, bison, sheep, goat, hog and cervid producers, feedlots, backgrounders, veterinary clinics, meat processors, assembly yards, privately managed community pastures, fairs and exhibitions are eligible for a 70 per cent rebate, to a maximum rebate of $50,000 per facility for all eligible items combined.
Auction marts, meanwhile, can get a 70 per cent rebate worth up to $100,000 for all eligible items combined, the province said.
The rebate is retroactive to April 1, the province said, and the deadline for rebate applications will be Jan. 31, 2013. Forms are now available online.
“Saskatchewan cattle producers appreciate (Agriculture Minister Bob) Bjornerud’s leadership and efforts to make certain that the implementation of traceability occurs in a manner that does not place excessive costs on producers,” Jack Hextall, chairman of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, said in the province’s release.
“This type of voluntary program provides cattle producers the opportunity to prepare for the realities facing our industry and ensures that Saskatchewan will not be left behind other jurisdictions as livestock traceability moves forward,” said Hextall, a Grenfell-area producer and the first chair for the new organization, established in January.
“While we have been working with the Canadian Pork Council on a national system, the provinces contribution will significantly help with the implementation of traceability in Saskatchewan,” said SaskPork president Joe Kleinsasser of Rosetown Colony.
The program is to be funded through the federal/provincial Growing Forward ag policy framework.
