THUNDER BAY -- Farmers in Northwestern Ontario can now apply to access funding to provide relief from economic hardship brought about by this season’s severe drought.
The application period to the provincial-federal-territorial AgriRecovery program officially launched on Sept. 16.
AgriRecovery provides farmers with funds to cover the costs of feeding, watering, and fencing animals during times of emergency, including this year’s drought, which has devastated crops and dried up water sources.
Under the provincial portion of the plan, up to $5 million is available to help farmers care for their animals now and through the winter.
That’s in addition to the $2 million Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative that was announced in July.
Through the Canada-Ontario Transported Feed AgriRecovery Initiative, eligible livestock farmers in Kenora, Rainy River and Thunder Bay can receive up to $220 per head of cattle.
Other livestock species such as bison, elk, equine, alpacas, llamas, deer, sheep and goat are eligible as well.
Applications will be accepted until Nov. 1, 2021.
The province said the previously announced Temporary Fencing & Emergency Water component under the Northwestern Livestock Emergency Assistance Initiative will continue to be open to producers through Agricorp until Nov. 1, 2021.
