Effective immediately, the Manitoba government is increasing the temporary rent reduction scheduled for agricultural Crown land (ACL) forage leases to 55 per cent from 33 per cent for the 2024 growing season in recognition of the hardships producers have faced in recent years, Premier Wab Kinew and Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced last Friday (Nov 24).
“When the previous government made these changes, it hurt Manitoba producers in all aspects of their business including production and market costs, and made it harder for them to recover,” said Kinew. “Our government is committed to helping producers in the Parkland, Interlake and across the province. This rent reduction will essentially freeze rates to the same as 2023 and will provide producers with over $2 million in support.”
Agricultural Crown lands are parcels of land leased to producers for agricultural use including grazing, haying or annual cropping. These lands are important public assets economically, environmentally and socially, essential to supporting and growing the livestock industry in Manitoba, noted the premier.
“Today’s announcement is part of our promise to ensure affordability with ACL lease rates and begins to accomplish the goals set out in the minister of agriculture mandate letter,” said Kostyshyn. “We will continue to review the ACL program to ensure it best serves Manitoba producers.”
The Manitoba government encourages sustainable use of Crown land for multiple uses through a careful planning process, noted the minister, including the intensity of use and how different parcels may be developed. The ACL program contributes to ecological goods and services, and provides mitigation and adaptation to climate change, added the minister.
“This announcement is a lifeline for Crown leaseholders,” said Dale Myhre, a veteran rancher with a cattle operation in the Parkland region. “We are so grateful that this government is listening to producers rather than announcing policies without consultation. With this reduction in Crown lease rents, beef producers have gone from feeling desperation to feeling hope again.”
For more information on agricultural Crown lands, visit Province of Manitoba | agriculture – Crown Land (gov.mb.ca)
