The Manitoba government has announced an extension of the rent freeze for Agricultural Crown Lands forage leases into the 2026 growing season.
Agriculture Minister and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn feels freezing the rates for another year will provide an incentive for producers to increase cow numbers in the province.
"We are probably at the lowest cow numbers in North America. That goes back to 1980 and 1985 where we saw the lowest numbers. There is definitely a high demand for beef nowadays, and our provincial government felt that this was a time to help out producers and provide some opportunities to increase more cow numbers and helping ot producers that are in the beef industry."
At $3.66 per animal unit month, the current rental rate in Manitoba remains the lowest in Western Canada.
The freeze comes at a critical time, following a year marked by extreme weather, volatile trade markets, and feed supply challenges.
Kostyshyn adds they are also launching the first phase of public engagement into how the Agricultural Crown Lands program will look in the future.
Interested parties are encouraged to fill out an online survey at EngageMB by November 24th.
Further consultations will be planned for later dates as the process moves along.
