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Equipment to Improve Animal Handling

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Stream: Producer

Code:

AHEQ-PD-A

Projects will focus on improving animal welfare in a measurable or proven way

Who should apply?

Producers of all farmed animal species who are interested in improving animal handling on farm by implementing new practices and procedures.

Preference is currently given to projects located in areas with limited access to veterinary services (e.g., Northern Ontario)

To apply you must have completed

  • A site sketch identifying all current and proposed structures and buildings
  • One of the following:
    • An applicable Biosecurity Workshop or equivalent1 AND a farm-wide assessment against national biosecurity standards that supports need for the project2
    • A farm-wide assessment against national Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals, a national commodity-specific farm animal care program, or market-driven animal welfare program that supports need for the project2
For information about free Biosecurity Workshops delivered by OSCIA or to register, visit ontariosoilcrop.org

Eligible activities and expenditures

Operational improvements to reduce threats to animal welfare, including:

  • Equipment necessary to:
    • Improve husbandry practices, such as castration, dehorning and euthanasia
    • Facilitate humane handling methods or treatment procedures such as chutes, head gates, herding or catching equipment
    • In-kind contributions

Ineligible activities and expenditures

  • Activities and expenditures as detailed here
  • Projects that support animals of non-agricultural significance
  • Modifications as part of routine maintenance
  • (e.g., replacing old surfaces with the same material)
  • Modifications related to increasing production, health and safety requirements or reasons not relevant to improving animal health and welfare
  • Technologies, equipment or devices that do not improve animal welfare (e.g., electric prods)
  • Lighting systems
  • Ongoing consumables (e.g., needles, analgesics, syringes, vaccines, pharmaceuticals, bedding materials, straw, shavings)
  • Typical farm equipment (e.g., livestock penning and trailers)

Available cost-share

35 per cent, up to a maximum of $15,000

Required documentation

  • Site sketch identifying all current and proposed structures and buildings
  • One of the following:
    • Proof of completion of an applicable Biosecurity Workshop or equivalent AND a farm-wide assessment against national biosecurity standards, identifying gaps which demonstrate need for the project
    • A farm-wide assessment against national Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals, a national commodity farm animal care program, or a market-driven animal welfare program, identifying gaps which demonstrate need for the project

Merit assessment criteria

  • Identified level of risk, with priority given to high to moderate risk operations or proposals that will have greatest impact
  • Size of operation, with priority given to operations with the largest number of animals within commodities
  • Geographic location, with priority given to operations located in areas with limited access to veterinary services (e.g., Northern Ontario)
  • Assessment conducted by a qualified third party
  • Number of times an applicant business has accessed cost-share funding under the producer stream of the province-wide Partnership program
  • Ability of project to support economic recovery and growth of Ontario’s agriculture and agri-food sectors

1 Equivalencies may be accepted (e.g., commodity-specific National Assurance or Animal Care Program, based off national standards)

2 Assessment may be completed by the applicant or by a qualified third party, such as a (e.g., a licensed veterinarian or a certified animal welfare auditor). Assessment requirements can be found at ontariosoilcrop.org

What's Next?

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Is this project for you? Find out if you meet the program requirements
Program Requirements

 

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For more information, visit ontariosoilcrop.org

Is this project for you? Find out if you meet the program requirements

Any established farm business that is a legal entity and produces agricultural commodities in Ontario under a valid Farm Business Registration Number (FBRN), or an allowable exemption, is eligible to apply for cost-share funding under the Partnership—provided that the farm business meets all of the requirements set out in the Program Guide. You must also have a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification (PID) Number for the farm property where the project is to take place. In addition, you are required to be in compliance with all Requirements of the Law and remain in compliance for the duration of the project.

A farm business may have up to two (2) applications approved in an intake or under consideration at one time. A separate application must be submitted for each project.

There is no limit to the number of cost-share projects that a farm business can complete over the five-year span of the Partnership. There is also no limit to the number of approved cost-share projects that a farm business can have underway at one time.

Applications are evaluated based only on the information submitted and will not be considered if they do not meet eligibility criteria or if they are incomplete.

Complete applications that meet eligibility criteria are assessed using Merit Assessment Criteria, which is specific to each Project Category. Applications that are selected using a merit-based review process are approved on a continuous basis while funds remain available.

Conditional approval for funding may be granted for complete applications with high merit that require confirmation of additional information before project approval.

Applications are submitted electronically.* You can apply and submit all required documentation at ontarioprograms.net.

You can also complete the Application Form for the Project Category you are applying under, and submit with all required documentation by email to CAP@ontariosoilcrop.org. Copies of Application Forms are available at ontarioprogramguides.net.

*If you cannot apply online or by email, you may send hard copy applications and all required documentation to OSCIA by post or courier to 1-367 Woodlawn Road W, Guelph, ON, N1H 7K9.

Applications will be reviewed, and cost-share funding decisions will be made after the Application Intake has closed. You will be notified by mail and/or email approximately 45 business days from the date a given Application Intake closes. (If there is an exception to this, it may be noted in the Project Category Description.) There are three possible outcomes:

  • Application is approved – you will receive confirmation of claim procedures and submission deadlines, and a questionnaire that must be completed at the end of the project.
  • Application is conditionally approved – you will be notified about what additional information is required to finalize approval of your project.

Application is declined – you will receive a brief explanation for the decision.

The start date for your project is the date on the Approval or Conditional Approval Letter issued by OSCIA for each successful project. Projects cannot be started before that date. Eligible costs can only be incurred, invoiced and paid for by the applicant after the date on which the Letter is issued.

The completion date for your project will be specified in the Approval Letter issued by OSCIA for the successful project. Eligible costs must be incurred, invoiced and paid for by the applicant on or before this completion date.

New producers are new entrants to the agricultural production industry who:

  • File personal income taxes in Ontario
  • Have proof of ownership or control of productive agricultural assets to generate farm income
  • Have a valid and up-to-date Premises Identification Number for the farm property where the proposed project is to take place
  • Have not had more than $7,000 in gross farm income two and three years prior to enrolling in the Partnership
  • Have business projections that demonstrate potential annual gross business income of $7,000 or more within three years of applying

New producers are eligible for:

  • Financial Analysis
  • Business Plans
  • Marketing Plans
  • Nutrient Management and Soil Health Planning
  • Education, Training, Assessment and Planning (Animal Health)
  • Food Safety and Traceability Gap Assessment and Pre-audit
  • Food Safety and Traceability Training
  • Education, Training, Assessment and Planning (Plant Health)

If you are a new producer, contact OSCIA at 1-800-265-9751 or CAP@ontariosoilcrop.org for a list of applicable Project Categories, and to request a copy of the New Producer Application Form.

 

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Edit date: December 6, 2021

Need Help?

For assistance with the Online Program Guide, please contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre – Mon. to Fri., 8 am – 5 pm, 1-877-424-1300 or ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca