Livestock drought assistance expanding to new regions in Alberta

The 2023 Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative is expanding eligibility to 23 new regions and extending the application deadline.

Livestock producers in eligible regions who altered their usual grazing practices due to drought conditions for more than 21 days this season can apply for financial support to cover losses incurred to manage and maintain female breeding animals such as cattle, bison, horses, elk, sheep, goats, alpacas, yak, musk ox, deer, water buffalo and llamas. A minimum of 15 animals per type of livestock are required to qualify.

“We are very pleased that Canada-Alberta Drought Livestock Assistance initiative is extending to areas that weren’t originally included in the eligibility requirements, and appreciate the federal and provincial governments working with the cattle industry on this,” says Brodie Haugan, Chair of Alberta Beef Producers (ABP). “Thank you for hearing and addressing our concerns.”

Funding for the new regions will open on January 29, 2024. Applicants in this intake may receive payments of up to $150 per head. The application deadline is February 22, and extraordinary costs can be incurred until March 31. This expansion also gives producers who were already eligible another opportunity to apply.

“This is an opportunity not only for eligible producers in the expanded areas, but also for those who may have missed the original deadline,” says Brad Dubeau, General Manager of ABP. “We encourage all impacted and claiming producers to sign up for AFSC Connect and apply as quickly as possible once the funding opens on January 29.”

All applications that were submitted before January 15 are being processed by Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC). This includes applications that were outside the initial geographic boundaries, but are now represented in the updated boundaries. An AFSC team member will reach out if more information is required. 

Livestock producers can get more information and apply by visiting AFSC’s website.

Government News Release | AFSC – AgriRecovery | AFSC- Q&As

Funding for this joint AgriRecovery initiative is provided through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP).