Canada British Columbia Cull Animal Program
Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers

1. Why did the Federal and Provincial governments offer this Cull Animal Program?
2. Why are funds being allocated to the cull animal market?
3. What is the Canada British Columbia Cull Animal Program?
4. How do I apply?
5. What slaughter documentation is required for Federal component?
6. Why do I have to register my breeding herd?
7. Are there separate registrations for the Provincial and Federal components?
8. When will application forms be available?
9. When will I receive a payment?
10. How long will the program run?
11. Who is eligible?
12. What animals qualify as part of the breeding herd?
13. What types of animals are eligible?
14. How many cull animals will be eligible?
15. On what basis are producers compensated? 

1. Why did the Federal and Provincial governments offer this Cull Animal Program?

The Cull Animal Program is designed to provide farmers and ranchers with financial support and assist in the adjustment to a restructured cull animal market. Compensation will provide incentive for the marketing of cull animals, reduce the number of surplus culled animals and prevent on farm slaughter.

2. Why are funds being allocated to the cull animal market?

The case of BSE has disrupted the market for cull animals as they are no longer allowed across the border into the United States. Prior to the border closing over 60% of the cull animals were sent to the US for slaughter. Producers are experiencing very low prices for culled animals accompanied by high feed costs. The payments will help the affected industries adjust to the difficult market conditions caused by border closures, especially as it affects older animals.

3. What is the Canada British Columbia Cull Animal Program?

There are two components to the Cull Animal Program:

1. A provincially funded per head payment based on a percentage of your registered breeding herd on September 1, 2003. This payment is initiated as soon as the administration receives your inventory registration forms. Sales or slaughter documentation are not required.

2. Federally funded payments based on culled animals that are sold for slaughter from September 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004. Documentation of sale for slaughter is required.

4. How do I apply?

There are two steps as follows:

1. Registration: Producers will be required to register their breeding herds so that the September 1, 2003 inventory can be determined. This step will be the application for the Provincial per animal payment. The deadline for registration is January 31, 2004.

2. Application for Federal Funding: Producers will be required to complete an additional application form to qualify for the Federal payment. This form will require reporting the number of culled eligible animals sold for slaughter and providing documentation of sale for slaughter.

5. What slaughter documentation is required for Federal component?

Slaughter documentation requirements have not been fully established. The difficulty in obtaining proof of slaughter is being fully considered, especially for sales prior to program implementation. However, culled animals must be slaughtered at a licensed processor and be sold at arm’s length.

6. Why do I have to register my breeding herd?

Herd registration is required to determine the basis of payment and allow both levels of government to forecast costs. A separate registration form must be completed for each type of eligible animal. Spot audits will be conducted to verify registration numbers.

7. Are there separate registrations for the Provincial and Federal components?

No. The same herd registration will be used for both components. However, a separate application is required for Federal payment (see question 2).

8. When will application forms be available?

Registration forms will be available on the Ministry’s website at http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/ahc/bse/ and in local ministry offices by December 1, 2003. Also, registration forms will be mailed to producers on available industry mailing lists. Application forms for the Federal component will be available later; these will likely accompany the Provincial payment.

9. When will I receive a payment?

Provincial payments will be initiated as soon as your registration forms have been received by administrators and the numbers verified. Federal payments will occur after January 31, 2004 when the registration process has been completed.

10. How long will the program run?

The program is retroactive to September 1, 2003 and will cover eligible animals culled and slaughtered up to December 31, 2004.

11. Who is eligible?

The program is available to British Columbia taxpayers or equivalent corporate entities who owned cattle on September 1, 2003. The owner is the person who holds title to the cattle.

12. What animals qualify as part of the breeding herd?

Male and female animals maintained for the primary production goal of producing, raising and weaning offspring. Animals that are on a backgrounder program or on feed in preparation for slaughter do not qualify.

13. What types of animals are eligible?

Program details have been finalised for beef and dairy cattle. Cattle must be 30 months of age or have calved as of September 1, 2003. Other animals that will qualify are sheep, goats, bison and cervids. Program details will be available shortly.

14. How many cull animals will be eligible?

Beef producers qualify for up to 8% of their registered September 1, 2003 eligible beef breeding herd. Dairy producers qualify for up to 16% of their registered September 1, 2003 eligible dairy herd. Culling percentages for other animals have not yet been finalised.

15. On what basis are producers compensated?

The Provincial and Federal components have different payment methods:

1. Provincial: The provincial per head payment for cattle of $128 is based on 40% (BC’s cost sharing) of the maximum potential payment under the national program of $320. The culling percentages are based on 65% of the average national culling rate. Your payment will equal the cull percentage times your breeding herd number times $128. For example, a beef producer with a breeding of 100 would receive payment of $1,024 (8% x 100 x $128).

2. Federal: The Federal component consists of two parts based on 60% (Federal cost sharing) of the national program payment levels:

1. Per Head Payment: A payment of $95.40 per eligible animal (60% of $159) slaughtered from September 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004.

2. Feed Allowance: Producers receive $0.60 per day payment on mature cull cows and bulls from December 16, 2003 to date of slaughter, or until May 24, 2004, if the animal is slaughtered by December 31, 2004.

Producers can receive a maximum of $320 per head under both the Provincial and Federal components; the total payment depends on how many days it takes to market the animal after December 15. For example, a cull animal sold on December 20, 2003 for slaughter would receive $226.40 ($128 plus $95.40 plus a $3 feed allowance).

• Registration Forms and Instructions

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