AGRICULTURAL CROWN LAND SALE PROGRAM EXTENDED

Today Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud announced an extension to the Agricultural Crown Land Sale Program.

The program, announced in November 2008, included a 10 per cent purchase price discount for lessees who purchased their agricultural Crown land by December 31, 2009. This 10 per cent discount has now been extended for one year, to December 31, 2010.

"We are extending this deadline to ensure that all eligible Crown land lessees have an opportunity to take advantage of the discount," Bjornerud said. "Farmers and ranchers are the best stewards of the land; by putting control of the land back in their hands, we are helping to move agriculture forward in Saskatchewan."

The program will now offer agricultural Crown land lessees a sliding scale incentive for purchase, beginning with a 10 per cent discount on the sale price of the land from Nov. 15, 2008 to Dec. 31, 2010; an 8 per cent discount in 2011; a 6 per cent discount in 2012; a 4 per cent discount in 2013 and a 2 per cent discount in 2014.

"With a late harvest and struggles in the cattle industry, we welcome this announcement," Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities President David Marit said. "This provides an extended opportunity for lease holders to purchase the crown land they are already managing."

"The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association has supported the Crown land sale program since its inception and are pleased that the government has extended the 10 per cent discount for an additional year," Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association President Calvin Knoss said. "We thank the government for recognizing the financial challenges facing the livestock industry and giving producers additional time to participate in the program."

Since the program was announced in November 2008, there have been 110,000 acres of agricultural Crown land sold to agricultural lessees.

Lessees interested in purchasing their leased agricultural Crown land can contact Ministry of Agriculture Regional Offices in Tisdale, 306-878-8813; North Battleford, 306-446-7473; Swift Current, 306-778-8300; or visit the Ministry of Agriculture website at www.agriculture.gov.sk.ca/Crown-Land-Sale-Program.

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For more information, contact:

Jenna Webb
Agriculture
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2359
Email: jenna.webb@agriculture.gov.sk.ca