October 11, 2019
Farmers Will Be Given First Right of Renewal on Leases for Crown Lands
– – –Move Reflects Government's Continued Support of Livestock Industry: Eichler
Producers will be given the first right of renewal for existing leases on Crown lands as part of the Manitoba government’s continued support of multi-generational family farming, Agriculture Minister Ralph Eichler announced today.
“Giving existing forage lease holders the option to renew their legacy leases for additional terms provides the consistency they need for their operations,” said Eichler. “This will enable succession planning for family farms. Opportunities are created for new or young farmers to acquire use of these public assets through new leases to be offered at auction. This balanced approach shows we’re listening to the concerns of farmers and are supportive of the livestock industry in Manitoba.”
Following extensive consultations, amendments to The Crown Lands Amendment Act and the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation came into effect Oct. 1. The updated regulation will increase the program’s transparency and accountability by including such features as a public auction process, the capping of leases at a 15-year maximum instead of 50, and measures to ensure the land is used effectively in a sustainable manner that contributes to economic growth in Manitoba.
Under the new regulation, producers who have legacy forage leases that expire before Dec. 31, 2034, will be eligible to renew only until that date before lands go back to auction. Producers with leases that expire after Dec. 31, 2034, will continue under their current terms and are not affected by the new regulation. The province is pursuing further amendment to the regulation to enable successive renewals for legacy leases, provided leaseholders remain eligible.
“Having the first right of renewal on legacy leases is very important to all cattle producers,” said Tom Teichroeb, president, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP). “Access and predictability are essential to long-term planning related to livestock operations, especially related to their grazing and haying resources. This is a valuable commitment on the part of the provincial government. MBP will continue to engage with it about various aspects of the modernization of the Crown lands program to ensure it is both effective and efficient for beef producers.”
Public meetings to discuss the changes have been scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Ste. Rose Community Hall and on Thursday, Oct. 17 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Moosehorn Community Hall near Ashern.
Producers are encouraged to monitor the province’s website at www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/land-management/crown-land/index.html, call 204-867-6550 or call toll-free 1-844-769-6224 in the event of changes due to weather.
The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program distributes leases and permits to approximately 1,750 farmers and ranchers throughout the province, providing an additional land base to support their operations. The land administered through the program is sufficient to feed nearly 90,000 cattle for the grazing season, contributes to ecological goods and services, and provides mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Additionally, a number of workshops have been scheduled to discuss strategies to stretch feed supplies for producers adversely affected by the dry conditions much of the province has experienced this summer. Meetings will be held on the following dates:
• Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Ethelbert Drop-in Centre at 9 First St. East;
• Thursday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Rorketon Curling Rink at 800 First St. South;
• Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 1:30 p.m. in Brandon, at the Manitoba Beef and Forage Initiatives Farm at the northeast corner of PTH 10 and PR 353;
• Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Gladstone Community Centre at 79-5th Street West;
• Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Arborg Heritage Village Hall on PTH 68 East; and
• Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Lundar Legion Hall at 50 Third Ave.
For more information on the updated Agricultural Crown Lands Program, visit:
www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/land-management/crown-land/index.html.
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