Important Information
The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) is pleased to announce funding for 2024 projects under the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) for implementation of short duration rotational grazing and pasture seeding improvements. Our first round of applications intake will be from March 8 to March 15 and the second round will be from April 1 to 30.
Overview of OFCAF
The Application Process
Step 1
Register with the Impact System. If you have not registered with our system before, click on the blue button to register. If you have registered with our system previously, click on the button in the top right of the page and log in. You can also change your language preference in the bottom right of your screen. Once you are registered in the system, you will need to set your farm up as an organization. Once completed the programs for which you are eligible will appear, and you can begin the application process.
If you need additional assistance, if you have a local advisor, then they may be able to support you, as many are already registered within our system. Otherwise, you can contact us at [email protected] and we can answer your questions by email or support you in a call if you prefer.
Step 2
All applications must have an accompanying rotational grazing plan. You can create your own or fill out the rotational grazing plan template. If you are unclear about creating your rotational grazing plan, you can access our on-demand Advanced Grazing System course by registering for our learning management system. You will have access to the course in 48 hours outside of weekends and statutory holidays. If you prefer, our regional partners are supporting producers locally through grazing plan workshops and one-on-one support. Contact information is at the bottom of this page.
Step 3
Our application will be fully integrated into our Impact system. However, if you want to see the types of questions that are included in the application please refer to our previous application form. Fill out the application form in the Impact system using the information from your rotational grazing plan. Upload your rotational grazing plan to your Impact Account. There will be a signature required for the Terms and Conditions section of the application. Please download that document, review it, then sign and date it.
Step 4
Once you have everything filled out in the application, your grazing plan uploaded and the Terms and Conditions section signed and uploaded hit the “Apply” button at the bottom of the application page to formally submit your application. Once you submit your application, we expect it will be three to four weeks before you will be notified if you’ve been accepted into the program. If accepted, you will receive a notification to begin your project. If you are not accepted, you will receive feedback on your rotational grazing plan in case you would like to make adjustments and reapply.
Program Background
Goals of the On-Farm Climate Action Fund
The $200-million On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) is an initiative to help farmers tackle climate change.
The objective of the fund is to support farmers in adopting beneficial management practices (BMPs) that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases, specifically in the areas of:
- nitrogen management
- cover cropping
- rotational grazing practices
The CFGA is working solely on supporting the rotational grazing practices stream in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan provinces.
The CFGA Approach
The CFGA strongly focuses on forages and grasslands across Canada as a national organization. It works with the leading researchers, educators and other active stakeholder groups in this sector. Rotational grazing has many functions for both the environment and the family farm. This program is centred on increasing the total acres under a rotational grazing system.
To implement this program in various growing regions across Canada, the Advanced Grazing Systems program has a two-fold approach:
- To provide you, the producer, access to funding to reduce possible financial challenges associated with trying or expanding the practice of rotational grazing in your operation.
- To provide you, the producer, with information and resources so that you can implement rotational grazing as it makes sense for your operation.
Program Details
- The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association OFCAF Advanced Grazing Systems Program is available to agricultural producers in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan who want to develop or expand their rotational grazing practices.
- Producers can apply for projects with a cost share of 70 program:30 producers of eligible project expenses. A total of $75,000 is available over the life of the program (combined total OFCAF funding from all sources).
- Producers that have previously been approved for and received funding from the CFGA under the OFCAF program for rotational grazing implementation or pasture seeding improvements can not apply to implement the same BMP practice on property that has previously been funded. Approvals will only be issued on projects on different land locations or have different BMP practice. If you have any questions about how this applies to your proposed project please contact Travis Quirk at [email protected].
Eligible Expenses
The development of a rotational grazing plan for your farming operation is the program’s foundation and a requirement to access further funding for implementing your advanced rotational grazing plan. By developing a rotational grazing plan, you will have a clear idea of all associated aspects of your project.
Although not required, it is recommended that producers enrol and complete the series of modules of the Advanced Grazing Systems self-paced learning as an introduction to the foundation of the advanced rotational grazing practices and theory. Proceeding through these modules will help you create a rotational grazing plan suitable for your operation.
Producers seeking additional assistance in developing an advanced rotational grazing management plan may do so with the guidance of a grazing mentor who is a professional agrologist (P.Ag) or certified crop adviser (CCA). CFGA has a network of mentors trained to support the development of grazing plans if you need support in finding a person to assist you. Please contact Travis at [email protected] to find out how to access funding for one-on-one support.
Fencing is integral to the implementation of the advanced rotational grazing plan to move livestock in a timely and controlled manner to achieve the desired grazing results. There are several options for fencing available and working with a grazing mentor and within your desired management plans the best options can be presented in your application.
Eligible Expenses
- New fencing materials for the purpose of cross fencing can include wildlife-friendly fencing and temporary fencing.
- Fencers/energizers and all associated electric fencing supplies (ground rods, insulators, etc) are eligible as part of new fence construction.
Eligible In-Kind Expenses
- In-kind labour and equipment use (tractor & post pounder) are eligible and costs should come from your local/provincial published rate guide (custom & rental rate guides).
Ineligible Expenses
- Used fencing materials
- Livestock panels and Texas gates are not eligible.
- Perimeter fences do not qualify if construction is not aligned with the grazing plan.
- Removing or replacing old or existing fences is not an eligible project expense.
- Ongoing regular maintenance is not eligible.
Water is essential to any grazing plan and must be carefully considered when developing an advanced rotational grazing plan.
Eligible Expenses
- Livestock waterers and remote watering systems are eligible project costs as part of an advanced rotational grazing plan.
- Remote watering systems that use renewable energy (solar & wind) are eligible
- Wet wells, pipelines and trenching of waterlines
- Winterized remote systems that serve the purpose of watering during the summer grazing season can be eligible.
Non-Eligible Expense
- Systems that use non-renewable energy (portable generators or gas-powered pumps)
- Trenching of power is not eligible.
- Trucks, trailers/ wagons and holding tanks are not eligible for funding unless incorporated into the remote water system unit.
Producers are responsible for ensuring they have all required permits as they may apply to their watering system and overall advanced rotational grazing project. It is up to producers to check with the local and provincial governments to ensure that they comply with any regulations.
The composition of the forage in the grazing area can impact the emissions of greenhouse gases. By improving the forage composition to low methane production forage species (such as alfalfa and sainfoin), we can benefit both grazing and the environment. Forage species should be selected based on the recommendations of a Professional Agrologist in your area.
Eligible Expenses
- Seed and seeding costs are eligible under the program.
- Pastures with less than 25% legume content are eligible. If legume content is predominantly alfalfa, seed with red or white clover to avoid allelopathic effects.
- Activities to implement low methane pastures (increased alfalfa content, high quality forage and species containing tannin, such as sainfoin)
Eligible In-Kind Expenses
- In-kind seeding costs should be based on local/provincial published rate guides (custom & rental rate guides).
Non-Eligible Expenses
- Fertilizer and any chemical applications are not eligible.
Conditions
- The seed should be certified or Common #1 and not contain any noxious weed seeds.
- Tags and seed documentation will need to be kept and submitted with the claim for verification.
- Eligible projects will be paid out on the seeding attempt.
- Ideally, the stand will be established however, even if it is not and the applicant has incurred expenses to carry out the project, those costs will be eligible.
- The seeding project is to be documented with geo-referenced photos to show prior and post pasture conditions and the seeding operation.
Connect with Us
If you have questions about the OFCAF program, connect with us below.
CFGA OFCAF National Team
Travis Quirk, On-Farm Implementation Lead: [email protected]
Kaylee Healy, Knowledge Translation and Transfer Component Lead: [email protected]
Trudy Kelly Forsythe, General Communications Specialist: [email protected]
Adrienne Hanson, Saskatchewan Program Coordinator: [email protected]
Marie-Pier Beaulieu, Quebec Program Coordinator: [email protected]
Provincial Deployment Team
Agricultural Research and Extension Council of Alberta
Alan Hall, ARECA Executive Director: [email protected]
Sonja Shank, Program Coordinator: [email protected]
British Columbia Forage Council
Wyatt Klopp, Project Coordinator: [email protected]
Conseil québécois des plantes fourragères
Phillip Lavoie, Project Manager: [email protected]
Saskatchewan
Adrienne Hanson, Saskatchewan Program Coordinator: [email protected]
Rotational Grazing Funding Across Canada
While the CFGA has been funded for rotational grazing BMP in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan, CFGA is interested in supporting all programs that support rotational grazing across Canada.
Manitoba - The Manitoba Association of Watersheds
New Brunswick - The New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Newfoundland - Perennia
Nova Scotia - Perennia
Ontario - The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association
Prince Edward Island - PEI Federation of Agriculture
Acknowledgement
Funding for this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund.
