Sask. keeps grazing rates for Crown lands frozen for 2024

In an effort to help ranchers who have struggled with dry conditions for the past few years, grazing rates on Crown lands in Saskatchewan will remain frozen at 2022 levels.

In addition, producers who have been forced by drought to reduce their stocking rates on leased Crown lands will once again be eligible for a rent reduction.

Grazing rates for Crown lands are set each year based on a formula that includes fall cattle prices and the long-term stocking rate for each parcel of land, the Ministry of Agriculture explained in a release Tuesday.

This will be the second consecutive year with rates remaining frozen, the ministry noted, and the freeze applies to all grazing leases in the province.

About six million acres of Crown land are under grazing leases across Saskatchewan.

David Marit, Saskatchewan’s agriculture minister, said the beef industry has been challenged for some time by both tight profit margins and dry conditions.

“Producers are valuable stewards of Saskatchewan’s grasslands,” Marit said in a statement. “Maintaining rates at the existing level, and offering a reduction in some scenarios, will help producers plan for 2024.”

Keith Day, chair of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association, said the organization is grateful that the government recognizes the challenges the industry faces.

“With the price of feed and freight continuing to increase, freezing the grazing rates for another year goes a long way to help producers manage their costs,” Day said in a statement.

On Tuesday, the provincial government also announced a funding boost for forage and livestock research projects, made jointly with the Government of Canada.