The Manitoba government is implementing a temporary rent reduction on agricultural crown lands. 

Agriculture Minister Derek Johnson says the move is in response to the impacts of extreme moisture over the last couple of years and stakeholder feedback.

"Stakeholders have told us that rental rates on forage lands are challenging with the hardships they are experiencing following the past two years of extreme weather conditions. We are responding to their concerns by implementing this rent reduction program over the next three years, which will provide ranchers with up to $4 million in relief."

The forage lease rent reduction will be in place for the next three years with a 50 per cent reduction in 2023, a 33 per cent reduction in 2024 and a 15 per cent reduction in 2025. 

Forage leaseholders do not need to apply for the support, the reduction will be automatically applied to next year’s bills.

Along with the rent reduction program, Manitoba Agriculture is looking at other potential program improvements and is encouraging the public to provide input through an EngageMB survey that will run until late October.

To participate in the survey, visit http://engagemb.ca/agcl-forage-leases.