How the Cull Animal Compensation Program will work

Gary Sliworsky
Ag. Rep.

Last week it was announced that the Federal Cull Animal Program will be delivered in Ontario by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF). Following is a brief outline of the program.
The purpose of the Government of Canada Cull Animal Program (CAP) is:
· To create an incentive for participants to bring cull animals to packing plants;
· To contribute to a better balance between the demand and supply for the meat from mature animals.
To be eligible for compensation under CAP, ruminant producers must register their September 1, 2003 inventory of breeding animals with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF) by midnight on March 31, 2004.
There is no requirement for proof of slaughter to be eligible for payment.
Full eligibility requirements are outlined in the program guidelines, which are available from your local OMAF office and on the OMAF web site at www.gov.on.ca/OMAF/
Eligible breeding animals consist of:
· Dairy and beef cattle (Cows that are over 30 months of age, or that have had at least one offspring).
· Farm-raised bison breeding herd (Cows over 36 months of age or that have at least one offspring)
· Farm-raised ewes and female goats that are 12 months and older, or that have produced an offspring;
· Deer or Elk (cervid) does/cows that are 36 months of age and older, or that have produced an offspring.
Herd numbers and ownership are subject to on-farm audits.
Compensation will be provided as a per head payment based on the following percentages of the approved eligible breeding herd:
· Beef: 8% of eligible breeding herd.
· Dairy: 16% of eligible breeding herd.
· Bison: 8% of eligible breeding herd.
· Sheep: 12% of eligible breeding herd.
· Goats: 12% of eligible breeding herd.
· Elk: 8% of eligible breeding herd.
· Deer: 12% of eligible breeding herd.
For example, if 100 eligible beef cows are registered, the producer will be eligible for compensation for eight cows.
The value of the compensation available is as follows:
Species Per Head Payment
Cattle Up to $192
Bison Up to $192
Sheep Up to $38.40
Goats Up to $38.40
Elk Up to $96
Deer Up to $48

Registration Deadline is MARCH 31, 2004