Saskatchewan Livestock RFID Rebate Program

The Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate program started in October 2009. Under this RFID rebate program, Canadian cattle producers in Saskatchewan are eligible for a rebate up to 70% on all their expenses to set up their herd for RFID traceability, within the Canadian Livestock Tracking System.

This is an initiative by Saskatchewan to promote and enhance all livestock premises within the province to register their premises, and have a more proactive approach to RFID livestock traceability. The program is a voluntary livestock traceability program, participation in the program is not mandatory, although tagging their livestock with CCIA approved RFID tags, is mandatory for animal movements.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology is the basis of the Canadian Livestock Tracking System.

With the voluntary livestock traceability rebate, Saskatchewan livestock producers have the chance to benefit with RFD technology. With this opportunity for a rebate, all livestock producers, auction marts, feedlots, backgrounders, veterinarian clinics, meat processors, fairs, exhibits, and managed community pastures are eligible for rebates up to 70% on all hardware, software, installation, and training that is involved in implementing a full RFID system on their premise.

Livestock producers, such as cattle, bison, sheep, pig, goat, and deer are eligible for a rebate of 70% up to the total amount of $50,000 per premise location. If a producer owns more than one premise, even with same registration name, each of the premises is eligible for the same rebate.

Auction marts, are eligible for the same rebate of 70% up to the total of $100,000 per premise location. For auction marts, there is no limit on the number of RFID readers per location, as long as it is within the $100,000 limit.

The following is a breakdown of the hardware, software, installation, and training services that are allowed with the RFID rebate program. All RFID readers, which are handhelds or fixed panel readers must be new, they can be purchased or leased.

Livestock Traceability software has a maximum rebate of $3,000. Software includes all cattle management software, from the simplest cattle management, to network based systems, with multiple user access. (We will go into details on the available cattle management software’s on the market, with reviews shortly.)

Ultra-rugged computers have a maximum rebate of $4,200. Computers should have a rating of IP-67, which means the computers are water proof, dust proof, and indestructible. Basically they are computers that can be used outdoors, and in extreme rough environments, such as conditions in a barn or feedlot. These computers or rugged laptops are like the Panasonic Tough Book series computers.

RFID Readers come in a wide variety of options, based on the user’s requirements. (We will provide a list shortly of all available RFID readers, and explain in detail the options on each style of reader.) This will be the hardest part of your traceability hardware, as there are so many options out there, from simple RFID stick readers, which just read the tag and transmit the tag EID to the software, to more sophisticated RFID readers, that can perform many options in the field.

RFID readers can be handheld readers, much like an Allflex stick reader, and they can also be a wand or paddle styled reader, like Destron.

Panel readers or fixed readers, are more suitable for feedlots, auction marts, and premise locations with high volume of traffic. Panel readers, will enable you to scan or read tagged cattle at a fast rate, much like when cattle go through a raceway or alleyway as they enter either the feedlot, auction mart, or tagging station.

Only CCIA Approved Readers are eligible for the RFID rebates. CCIA Approved RFID Tags are not included in the Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate.

More information on the RFID rebate program can be found at the Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate website.

Below are the actual forms for the livestock traceability rebates.

FORM A: Rebate Application for General Applicants. (Producers)

FORM B: Facility Modification Claim for General Applicants. (Producers)

FORM A: Rebate Application for Auction Marts Only.

FORM B: Facility Modification for Auction Marts Only.

If you need additional information, and or need some advise on readers, the process, or general questions on the filing of the forms, you may contact myself by email (Listed on Contact Me on the blog) or by contacting the Saskatchewan Voluntary Livestock Traceability Rebate at 1-877-874-5365.