Archived News Releases

October 6, 2004

Application forms and additional program details regarding recently announced BSE programs are now available online and through agriculture extension offices, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced today.

"Since BSE was discovered, the province has implemented a number of programs to assist producers with cash flow challenges and depressed market prices," said Wowchuk. "These new programs will help further stabilize the industry and strengthen markets, and I encourage all producers to review program details and submit applications."

Manitoba recently announced full participation in federal BSE programming with $24 million in new provincial funding and $26 million through the Canadian Agriculture Income Stabilization (CAIS) special cash advance program. This will make $125 million available in federal-provincial support for Manitoba producers struggling with the challenges of BSE.

In addition to participating in federal BSE programming, the minister also announced the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation (MACC) will again offer the BSE Feeder Financing Initiative and Refinancing Program. The Feeder Financing Initiative provides assistance to producers interested in restocking feedlots by helping them manage the costs of purchasing and then feeding cattle on farms. The Refinancing Program is available to producers interested in restructuring their finances.

The minister noted the BSE Recovery Loan Program is still available to producers experiencing cash flow challenges. Since August 2003, this program has provided almost $64 million to producers. The provincial government has made over $180 million available through direct payments and low interest loans since BSE was discovered in

Canada on May 20, 2003.

Application forms and program details are available on the provincial government Internet site at https://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture.

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