Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has updated its Guardian Dog Rebate Program.
The changes made under the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention Program make preventing damage to producers’ livestock more affordable.
Agriculture Minister David Marit said the maximum rebate for the purchase of a guardian dog has increased from $100 to $400 per dog.
“The more producers can proactively make decisions, the better their chance of protecting their animals,” Marit said. “This change is part of a comprehensive strategy that focuses on the proactive prevention of wildlife damage, demonstrating our dedication to the agricultural industry.”
The change comes after working in consultation with the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, according to SSDB Executive Director Gord Schroeder.
“Predation is a significant challenge for livestock producers. Guardian dogs are an important tool in reducing predation losses”, Schroeder said. “The increase in the guardian dog rebate will make purchasing a dog more affordable and reduce livestock losses.”
Under the new rebate, if a producer invests in a guardian dog breed to safeguard their livestock, they are eligible for the new $400 amount or the full value of the dog if it is purchased for less than $400. The increase will be retroactive starting Apr.1.
All Saskatchewan producers may be eligible for compensation for damage to crops and livestock caused by wildlife. Producers may also receive funding for preventative measures to reduce wildlife damage to feed supplies and livestock.
Producers should contact their local SCIC office about options to prevent wildlife damage.
These are the eligible guardian dog breeds under the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention Program.
1. Abruzzese Mastif
2. Akbash dog
3. Anatolian Shepherd
4. Armenian Gampr
5. Bakharwal dog
6. Bernease Mountain Dog
7. Bucovina Shepherd
8. Cão de Castro Laborerio
9. Cão de Gado Transmontano
10. Cão de Serra de Estrela
11. Carpathian Shepherd Dog
12. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
13. Central Asian Shepherd Dog
14. Dogo Sardesco
15. Estrela Mountain Dog
16. Georgian Shepherd
17. Great Pyrenees
18. Greek Shepherd
19. Gutta Kutta
20. Himalayan Sheepdog
21. Kangal
22. Karakachan
23. Karst Shepherd
24. Komondor
25. Kuvasz
26. Maremma Sheepdog
27. Mioritic Shepherd
28. Newfoundland
29. Perro Majorero
30. Polish Tatra Mountain Sheepdog
31. Pyrenean Mastiff
32. Rafeiro do Alentejo
33. Russian Bear Dog
34. Sage Koochee
35. Šarplaninac
36. Serbian Shephard
37. Slovak Cuvac
38. South Russian Ovcharka
39. Spanish Mastiff
40. Tibetan Mastiff
41. Tornjak
42. Vikhan Sheepdog
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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com
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