Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative

This initiative compensates producers for the extraordinary cost of keeping slaughter-ready cattle on maintenance rations, allowing beef producers to hold on to market-ready cattle for several weeks so the supply of animals is able to more evenly match demand and processing capacity.

Starting June 12, 2020 fed cattle producers can apply for support for fed cattle set aside between May 1, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Immediate support is the first component of the 2020 Canada-Alberta Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative, in response to industry disruptions due to COVID-19.

Components

This joint Canada-Alberta AgriRecovery initiative has two components:

• First, the Fed Cattle Feed Assistance, a retroactive payment for cattle set aside from May 1, 2020 to June 30
• Second, a Bid Set-Aside process for cattle set aside starting June 29, 2020
   - The bid component of the initiative will continue until the initiative’s funds are distributed, the need to set aside animals no longer exists or the end date of March 31, 2021. 

This initiative is subject to a signed contribution agreement by both levels of government, and Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) will administer both stages of the program in Alberta.

Am I eligible?

• The producer must be a Canadian resident that reports farm income for tax purposes in Alberta and is actively feeding the eligible cattle in Alberta
• For the second stage of the initiative (bid set aside or bidding process), producers must commit to keep cattle from slaughter for 63 days
• Eligible producers can choose to participate in one or both stages of the initiative

Which animals are eligible?

• Slaughter-ready fed cattle, eligible for grade “A” designation, where the average net weight of the lot of animals at the time they are accepted for set-aside must be a minimum of 1,300 pounds net weight for heifers and a minimum of 1,400 pounds net weight for steers
• Cows, bulls and cull animals are not eligible under this initiative

STAGE 1 Fed Cattle Feed Assistance

Beginning June 12, applications for the Fed Cattle Feed assistance component open. This initial component includes retroactive benefits to help compensate producers for the cost of keeping these animals on maintenance rations.

How do I apply for the Fed Cattle Feed Assistance component?

You can access and download the online application HERE.

For each lot, the producers must provide information about:

• the premise ID where the lot is located
• the lot number
• number of animals in the lot
• type of animal (fat steer/fat heifer) in the lot
• average net per head weight in pounds
• the original targeted marketing date
• the actual or estimated marketing date

Producers can return the application form for the first stage by: 

• email the PDF application form to AgriRecovery@afsc.ca
• online via AFSC Connect
• fax to AFSC at 1-403-782-8441
• in person, by arrangement at your AFSC office

An initial payment will be issued the week of June 22, 2020 for those applications received by June 22, with the second payment issued in July. All applications received after June 22 will receive only one payment, issued the week of July 6.

STAGE 2 The Fed Set-Aside

This component involves a weekly bid process that producers can choose to participate in each week.

How do I apply?

• All components of this process will occur online, and producers will need an AFSC ID and an AFSC Connect account to participate in the weekly bidding process
• Once your AFSC account is set up, you can log in to AFSC Connect and complete a one-time registration to participate in the fed set-aside bid process

For help with this, call AFSC at 1-877-899-2372 or reach out to any branch office.

Please Note

• Producers who wish to take part in the initial June 29, 2020 bid process must ensure they have an AFSC ID number and an AFSC Connect account set up, and have accepted the program terms and conditions by June 24, 2020
• Program application for the bid process will be available online through AFSC Connect starting June 22, 2020
• If you are interested in participating in the bid process, contact AFSC to set up your online account

Weekly Bid Process Steps

1. Friday Enrolled producers are notified about the upcoming bid process that begins the following Monday morning at 9:00 AM

2. Monday At 9:00 AM the bid process begins. Eligible producers will be required to supply:

• premises ID
• lot Number(s)
• number of Eligible Animals in each Lot
• animal Type – Heifer or Steer
• average net weight of the Lot must average 1,300 lbs for heifers or 1,400 lbs for steers at the date the bid is submitted
• bid amount

3. Wednesday The bid process for that week closes at noon.

4. Friday By noon, all eligible participants are notified if their bids for that week were accepted or rejected.

If a participant’s bid is accepted, they have seven days to submit supplemental information on each accepted bid. This includes the CLTS account number, PID, lot number and registered RFID tags associated with the eligible animals.

Can I apply for both components of the initiative at the same time?

No, each component of the initiative requires the completion of a separate application (see above).

Terms And Conditions

The complete terms and conditions PDF can be found HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

A large list of frequently asked questions about this initiative can be found HERE

Have any questions?

If you have any questions about the Fed Cattle Feed Cost Offset Initiative or any services that we offer, please contact one of our Agriculture experts or complete the contact form below.

For a complete list of our COVID-19 resources for individuals and businesses, please visit availcpa.com/resources