Governments of Canada and Manitoba invest in Manitoba's Livestock Predation Prevention Program

April 25, 2024 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing financial support to Manitoba's Livestock Predation Prevention Program which supports the adoption of pro-active, on-farm measures to deter predator attacks, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn, announced today.

Through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the governments are providing $500,000 to reduce the risk of livestock predation and promote the co-existence of wildlife and livestock in agricultural regions of Manitoba. The funding supports the purchase of equipment, livestock guardian dogs and constructing predator resistant fencing.

Wildlife predation of livestock is a significant problem for Manitoba producers, with over 2,000 livestock lost each year. The Livestock Predation Prevention Program provides 2 funding streams for producers:

• Pre-approved Livestock Predation Prevention Equipment and Guardian Dogs will allow eligible applicants to purchase solar foxlights, electronet, fladry, and livestock guardian dogs.
• Predator Resistant Fence Construction will allow eligible applicants to apply for funding to support construction of eligible fencing that deters predators from entering calving and lambing areas, pastures, extended grazing areas, and deadstock compost sites.

Livestock producers that had a paid livestock predation claim under the Manitoba Wildlife Damage Compensation Program from 2021 or later are eligible to apply for the Livestock Predation Prevention Program. Eligible applicants can be reimbursed up to 75% of total eligible expenses to a maximum of $5,000 for pre-approved equipment and guardian dogs and $10,000 for fence construction.

In 2020, Manitoba launched the Livestock Predation Prevention Pilot Project led by Manitoba Beef Producers in partnership with Manitoba Agriculture and the Manitoba Sheep Association (MSA). Over 100 projects were completed on 48 farms across the province under this pilot. The Livestock Predation Prevention Program builds on the success of the pilot.

Manitoba's Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources department will also be increasing funding for the Manitoba Targeted Predator Removal Program by $90,000, for a total funding commitment of $150,000. This funding will allow the program greater flexibility in addressing livestock predation concerns.