Wildlife Damage Prevention Program

^{Article written by SCIC. Published in the Fall 2023 edition of Agriview.}

Preventative Fencing Initiative

Earlier this year, on May 19, 2023, Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced further support for Saskatchewan producers through enhancement of the Wildlife Damage Prevention Program.

The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) administers the Wildlife Damage Prevention Fund. SCIC is making fences more widely available to producers who suffered stacked forage winterfeed supply losses. The intention of offering preventative fencing packages is to proactively minimize wildlife damage and reduce future compensation payments.

Producers can receive funding for steps taken to prevent wildlife damage to feed supplies. Producers who received compensation greater than $2,000 per feed storage site may be eligible to receive funding for a fence package to protect their future feed supplies. SCIC will inform eligible producers of prevention options and work with them to determine the appropriate package. Once a fence is constructed, a site is no longer eligible for wildlife damage compensation.

Funding can be acquired for:

• Fencing around feed yards
• Temporary fencing to protect feed sources
• Fencing to protect nurseries and market gardens

To qualify, producers must first contact their local SCIC office and explain the wildlife damage. An adjuster will visit the farm and make recommendations. If the adjuster recommends establishing a fence around a feed supply, the producer can receive funding to offset the material costs. This funding is based on the producer’s claim history and the potential for future damage. Labour costs and Goods and Services Taxes (GST) are not eligible for reimbursement. Fencing for grain bag storage is also not eligible.

Basic fence specifications must be met. There are size and other criteria requirements for each type of operation. Criteria and fencing specifications are available from any SCIC office. The producer is responsible for the purchase of all fencing supplies and construction of the fence.

Fence packages can differ for nurseries and market gardens. Producers requiring such should contact their local SCIC office for more details.

A final inspection of the constructed feed protection fence will occur prior to reimbursement. If a producer refuses a fence as a recommended prevention method, they may be denied future compensation.

SCIC may recommend other measures to protect feed supplies, such as lure crops, waterfowl feeding stations, intercept feeding for forage, or scare cannons.

Predation Prevention

SCIC can help producers manage predator attacks through control measures designed to reduce wildlife damage. Examples of predation prevention measures include:

• Fencing effective for specific livestock/fowl operation
• Fence patrol
• Record keeping/monitoring of livestock or fowl on a daily basis
• Protected birthing areas versus an exposed area or an area bordering prime wildlife habitat
• Properly trained guardian dogs
• Appropriate dead stock management (for example, dead stock should not be fed to guardian dogs)
• Use of llamas and donkeys as guardian animals
• Paddock/field size suited to the number of guardian animals
• Night confinement close to residence
• Noise, light and other deterrents

A combination of the above methods is often required.

Alternative Feeding Systems

In these systems, the feed source is left in the field where managed livestock consume it as a fall/winter feed source. Swath, bale and corn grazing, used as part of a well-managed feeding system, is eligible for compensation. Well-managed feeding systems are defined as follows:

• There must be fences in place to confine the livestock; with controlled movement of livestock on the feed.
• The feed must be suitable for livestock. It must be either baled feed, standing corn or a crop grown with the intention of swath grazing.
• There must be a plan in place to ensure livestock are making full use of feed, with no excessive waste. The livestock also need to be rotated throughout the field, ensuring the nutrients are returned evenly to the land.
• The livestock must have access to water/snow and shelter/windbreaks.
  
  

In the case of alternative feeding systems, evidence is required to show the feed was intended for consumption by livestock.

Predation Specialists

On the recommendation of a SCIC adjuster, a predation specialist can be hired to assess the situation and take steps to eliminate the predator problem. These predation specialists will work with you to determine which measures are suitable for your operation. The producer is expected to implement the measures recommended by the predation specialist. If recommendations are not followed, the producer may be denied further predator control services and compensation.

Guardian Dog Rebate Application form

SCIC can provide $100 to help producers offset the cost of purchasing a livestock guardian dog. The use of guardian dogs can be an effective method of preventing predation. It does require the commitment from the producer to develop the potential of the dog. Livestock guardian dogs are most effective when complemented by other predation management practices. Producers requesting this funding should contact their local SCIC office to complete this form. Receipt of purchase for the dog and breeder information is required to be eligible for compensation. There is no limit on the number of eligible compensations for livestock guardian dogs.

SCIC - Here at Every Turn

Saskatchewan producers are eligible for compensation on damaged crops and livestock caused by wildlife through the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. Producers should contact their local SCIC office or call 1-888-935-0000 as soon as damage is detected.

For more information, visit scic.ca/wildlife-damage.