Sheep - Assurance System Producer Program

The current Sheep Assurance System Producer Program is coming to an end in March! All claims must be received by March 15, 2023. and we want to make sure that you have heard about the program, and that you get everything you can while you still qualify.

This is the best way to get the Combi-Clamp in Saskatchewan. The program provides a high level of funding at 50% of eligible expenses.

Some of the items we sell that are included in the program have been conveniently linked.

COME SEE US AT THE AGRIBITION TO CHAT AND VIEW OUR PRODUCTS!!

Who is eligible?

Source: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/

The Assurance System Producer Program provides sheep producers with a rebate for veterinarian assessments and approved eligible equipment expenses that improve biosecurity and animal welfare practices. Eligible applicants must meet program criteria below.

Eligibility

You are eligible to apply for a rebate if you are a:

• Saskatchewan sheep producer (individual, partnership or corporation) who can demonstrate a minimum of $15,000 gross farm income in Saskatchewan in the year preceding or in the year of the application. Individual producers must be at least 18 years of age; or
• First Nation in the Province of Saskatchewan (must be a sheep producer).
• Sheep producer who has completed the Canadian Verified Sheep Program training.
• Sheep producer who has had a veterinarian assessment and Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report completed by a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.
• Saskatchewan sheep producer who has a Saskatchewan Premises Identification (PID) number.

Multiple applications per operation are allowed, but program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250.

For the purposes of the program, related applicants are subject to the maximum program rebate of $15,000. Related applicants include:

• Spouses;
• Partners;
• Relatives in the same residence; or
• Individuals /entities who have controlling interests in more than one operation.

Applicants who share livestock facilities will be considered one operation and subject to the maximum rebate of $15,000.

Maximum program rebate is per operation which may include more than one project location or a related applicant and includes Assurance System Producer Program funding from all species on the operation (beef, bison, sheep, etc.).

For clarification regarding eligibility, related applicants or shared facilities, contact the Agriculture Knowledge Centre at 1-866-457-2377.

Rebate Details

Funding is available for veterinarian assessments and approved eligible equipment. Equipment must be installed and/or functional to be eligible for rebate. Pictures may be requested.

• Approved eligible costs are funded at 50 per cent to a maximum program payment of $15,000.
  • Step 1: Complete the Canadian Verified Sheep Program training.
  • Step 2: Have a veterinarian assessment and Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report completed.
  • The veterinarian assessment and Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report must be completed before any equipment purchases are made.
• Maximum rebate for veterinarian assessments and completing Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report is $500 per operation (this can include more than one assessment or a follow-up assessment). Applicants who share livestock facilities will be considered one operation and subject to the maximum rebate of $500.
• Program payments are subject to a minimum rebate of $250.

Training

Information on the Canadian Verified Sheep Program training is available by emailing the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board.

Veterinarian Assessment and Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report

The veterinarian assessment must be completed by a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association. The veterinarian must be an arm's-length third party from the operation being assessed. The legal land location of the project location/facility assessed must be identified on the Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report. After the visit to the operation, the veterinarian completes the online Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report based on the on-farm assessment, saves a copy for their records and provides a copy to the producer.

Note: The Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report must be competed electronically by the veterinarian and provided to the producer. Handwritten reports will not be accepted.

Download the Veterinarian Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation report - Sheep.

Before you apply

1. Review eligibility;
2. Complete the Canadian Verified Sheep Program training; and
3. Have a veterinarian assessment and the Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report completed by a veterinarian licensed with the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association.

Eligible Expenses

What can you get, and how much?

Associated Products that we stock are linked.

Items below are rebated at 50 per cent of eligible costs to the maximums where indicated. Items must be identified on the Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report completed by the veterinarian, to be considered for funding. There is no limit to the number of equipment items a producer may purchase within either the equipment or program maximums. Items as identified on the Biosecurity/Animal Welfare Equipment Recommendation Report, regardless of risk level, will be considered for funding.

Eligible items include:

Biosecurity

• Segregation pen (max. rebate $5,000):
  • Metal panels, metal gate(s) and metal feed bunk(s); and
  • Gate(s) and metal feed bunk(s) must be claimed in conjunction with the metal panels;
• Deadstock site (max. rebate $750):
  • Fencing: posts (metal or wood), wire, fasteners (staples);
• Fencing to prevent access to stored feed and standing water (max. rebate: $2,500):
  • Posts (metal or wood), wire, fasteners (staples);
• Signage for controlled and restricted zones:
  • Gate and visitor signs specifying biosecurity; and
• Cleaning and disinfection station(s):
  • Hand wash and/or boot wash stations.

Animal Welfare Improvements

• Maternity/lambing pen:
  • Metal or welded mesh panels, metal tubing/posts and fasteners;
• Spin-trim chute:
  • Metal, adjustable;
• Sheep weigh scale (max. rebate: $2,500):
  • Metal weigh scale 440 lb. capacity; and
  • Max. rebate: $550 for basic weigh indicator when purchased as part of package or standalone;
• Feed scale (max. rebate $1,500):
  • Scale to be used in conjunction with mixing or feed wagon;
  • Feed or mixing wagons are not eligible;
• Automatic milk feeder for lambs:
  • Auto feeders, unit and components;
• Loading chute (max. rebate $3,000):
  • Metal, adjustable floor;
• Sorter:
  • Metal, two or three-way;

• Working chute:
  • Metal; or
  • Metal tube frame, thick polyplastic sides;
• Headgate and chute:
  • Metal;
• Crowding tub:
  • Metal, sliding swing gate;
• Video surveillance for lambing:
  • All equipment, antennas and cables to support the following: up to four indoor cameras and up to four outdoor cameras (20xPTZ), repeater and recording unit with hard drive;
• Pain control administration training by a veterinarian:
  • Training costs and mileage;
• Vaccine cooler:
  • Vaccination/medication organization system including vaccine tubing, holsters and medicine administration guns (must be claimed as a package); and
• Euthanasia equipment:
  • Captive bolt gun (gun only).