CONSERVATION COVER PROGRAM TO BOOST FORAGE ACRES

The provincial government is providing $3.9 million under the 2003 Conservation Cover Program to help the province's producers convert up to a maximum of 50 acres to perennial cover.

"Our goal in this program's third year is to continue to promote good land stewardship and help address issues related to soil conservation, protecting water resources, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and conserving Saskatchewan's biodiversity," Deputy Premier and Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Minister Clay Serby said. "This is also good news for our expanding livestock industry because it will mean more pasture and feed."

The Conservation Cover Program will provide producers with an acreage payment of up to $15 per acre to seed land in annual crop production to perennial cover.

An initial acreage payment of $7.50 per acre (maximum 50 acres) or $375 will be paid to eligible applicants. Depending on program uptake, a second and final acreage payment of up to $7.50 per acre will be prorated amongst all eligible applicants who received the initial acreage payment. Funds permitting, this final payment will automatically be forwarded to eligible applicants.

Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization is also providing the necessary technical and extension services to help producers establish perennial cover.

In 2001 and 2002, approximately 17,000 farm operators participated in the program, converting over 800,000 acres to perennial cover.

Farmers can pick up application forms from Saskatchewan Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization's rural service centres or rural municipal offices, or they can download the form from the department's Web site at www.agr.gov.sk.ca. For more information, producers can contact their extension or rangeland agrologists at the rural service centres or contact the Conservation Cover Program toll-free at 1-877-874-5365.

-30-

For More Information, Contact:

Mark Folk Agriculture, Food and Rural Revitalization Regina Phone: (306)787-0756