News Business & Policy Emerging Trends
Northern Ontario to receive $2 million in funding for emergency livestock support

The Ontario government is allocating up to $2 million for farmers in northwestern Ontario to assist with emergency measures for feed, water and basic livestock needs due to the ongoing drought conditions in the region.

The Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative will help livestock farms in northwestern Ontario by addressing critical urgent needs identified by area farmers. Up to $800,000 will be provided to Beef Farmers of Ontario to help deal with the immediate feed shortages on behalf of all impacted farmers in the region.

An additional $1.2 million will be made available to area farmers for emergency measures to source water for livestock and to purchase and install new fencing to allow livestock to safely graze in alternative locations. Delivery of this initiative will be made through AgriCorp. The financial assistance will be available to livestock farmers for eligible costs incurred as a result of the dry weather from June 14 onwards.

This funding will address urgent needs while the provincial and federal governments work together at longer term measures through AgriRecovery and stems from a discussion last week with local farmers hosted by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA).

“Farmers in Northwestern Ontario have faced unprecedented dry weather this summer, which has created increased stresses on their crops and feed available for their livestock,” said Lisa Thompson, minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. “Our government has heard their concerns and is responding to get them the critical resources they need to protect their livestock and their farms. We’re working closely with Beef Farmers of Ontario and our service delivery agent, AgriCorp, to provide this support immediately.”

“We sincerely appreciate the swift response and immediate financial support announced today by the Government of Ontario and agriculture minister Lisa Thompson”, said Rob Lipsett, president, Beef Farmers of Ontario. “These short-term measures are an important step taken by the province as we await the completion of the federal-provincial AgriRecovery assessment that is investigating potential additional assistance for farmers in affected regions of the province.”