Due of the continued drought in the region, the Ontario government is stepping in to help farmers in northern Ontario by providing up to $2 million to help with emergency feed, water, and basic livestock needs.
The Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative will assist livestock farms in northwestern Ontario by responding to essential urgent needs indicated by local farmers. Beef Farmers of Ontario will receive up to $800,000 to help cope with acute feed shortages on behalf of all impacted farmers in the region.
An additional $1.2 million will be made available to local farmers for emergency water sources for livestock as well as the purchase and installation of new fence to let cattle safely graze in other areas. AgriCorp will be in charge of delivering this initiative. The financial assistance will be available to livestock farmers for eligible costs incurred as a result of the dry weather from June 14, 2021, onwards.
This money will help meet immediate needs while the provincial and federal governments work together on longer-term solutions through AgriRecovery, and it comes as a result of a conversation with local farmers sponsored by the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.