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Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP)
Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW)
Photo: Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds
Program Summary
This program, managed by the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds and the Manitoba Association of Watersheds, aims to help farmers adopt beneficial management practices (BMPs) to combat climate change. The program focuses on (1) improving nitrogen management, (2) increasing cover cropping, and (3) expanding rotational grazing.
Program characteristics
Province
Saskatchewan
Natural Features
Wetlands, Riparian Areas, Wildlife Habitat
Agriculture Type
Cropland, Rangeland / Pasture
Program Scope
Provincial
Conservation Approach
Restoration, Beneficial Practices
Incentive Type
Payment for Practices / Conservation / Credits, Cost-sharing / Discounts, Technical Advice
Delivery Agent Type
NGO
Commitment Type
Management Agreement, Infrastructure Installation, Restoration / Re-seeding / Conversion
Commitment Term
Short Term (1 to 10 years)
Program web site
Conservation Goals
This program aims to holistically address environment sustainability and agricultural productivity.
Eligible Lands
Eligible landscapes include agricultural lands in Saskatchewan.
Additional Details
Program has been extended to March 31, 2025.
Commitment
To receive Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) funding, landowners must commit to any of the following Beneficial Management Practices:
Nitrogen Management
Use of Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors
Use of Slow Release Fertilizers
Agronomic Support of Nitrogen Management Plans
Soil Testing
Soil Mapping
Adding Legumes to crop rotation
Upgrading seeder equipment
Split application of fertilizer to improve Nitrogen use
Rotational Grazing
Fencing
Stationary watering systems
Mobile watering systems
Improved pasture by seeding legumes
Creation of grazing management plan
Cover Cropping
Intercropping (with the crop), full season (in lieu of the crops), and shoulder season (after harvest of the crop) cover crops
Incentive
Compensation of up to $75,000 is available for eligible activities across all Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) under the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program.
Contact Information
Applications are not publicly available. Applicants must contact their PWCP coordinator who can be identified from this list: https://saskwatersheds.ca/pwcp-coordinators/
Important to Know
Payments made to producers for adopting Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) in nitrogen management, cover cropping, and rotational grazing are classified as "farm support payments" under the Income Tax Act. Consequently, these payments are considered income for the farm business and are subject to income tax.
For more information, see: https://saskwatersheds.ca/praire-watershed-climate-program/
Farmers and ranchers participating in the program can also register for voluntary offset credit programs to earn credits for GHG emissions reductions achieved. However, eligibility for these programs is subject to specific requirements, and participants cannot apply for regulatory carbon offset programs for emissions reductions realized between February 7, 2022, and June 30, 2025. Restrictions on GHG emission reduction credits apply only during the fiscal years in which funding is received.