Nelson Zandbergen
Farmers Forum
There’s new funding to help veterinary operations fill service gaps in rural Ontario through specialized equipment and upgrades to allow for onsite monitoring cameras and more portable medical tools for on-farm diagnostics.
Up to $4-million has been allocated to the newly launched Livestock Veterinary Innovation Initiative through the joint federal-provincial Canadian Agricultural Partnership fund.
Money is available for vet businesses to help buy mobile diagnostic and care equipment — like blood analyzers — as well as necessary vehicle modifications to work with that equipment as they travel from farm to farm.
Mobile cellular and video camera and monitor solutions used in service to farm clients are also eligible, as is lower-tech equipment a vet might bring to the farm, such as portable head gates or chutes.
Vets can also tap into the program for training and education on new equipment and techniques, or business training in general.
Maximum funding amounts differ by project category, and only a percentage of costs are covered.Successful applicants can receive up to 35 per cent of eligible expenses province-wide and up to 50 per cent in areas of identified underserviced veterinary capacity. In Eastern Ontario, that includes Renfrew County, the Township of Addington Highlands.
Veterinary operations can apply from Feb. 15 to March 31, 2022.
The Canadian Agricultural Partnership Fund is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments in support of the country’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. The money includes $2-billion cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
