May 24, 2011
Province Announces Special Livestock Mortality Program
– – –Producers Who Lost Animals in April Blizzard to be Compensated: Struthers
Agricultural producers that saw deaths in their herds following the blizzard that hit Manitoba at the end of April will be eligible for compensation, Manitoba Agriculture Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) Minister Stan Struthers announced today.
“The late-season blizzard that hit on April 29 and 30 packed a strong punch, killing many animals in our province,” said Struthers. “The program we are announcing today will help producers recover from this loss and reinforce the important role the livestock industry plays in Manitoba’s economy.”
The program applies to animals that were lost as a result of the blizzard that brought heavy amounts of rain and snow. Assistance will be based on the number of head lost at market value and will ensure all producers impacted by the loss receive equal treatment, said the minister.
Eligible animals include beef cattle, dairy cattle, bison, elk, sheep, goats, llamas and horses used for the production of meat or pregnant mare urine. Purebred livestock will be compensated at a rate 1½ times higher than commercial production.
It is estimated that close to 2,000 animals died as a result of this storm.
Applications are available at local MAFRI GO offices and must be completed by June 30. For more details on the program, contact the local GO office.
- 30 -