09 May PEIDAF CAP Programs: Funding Available for BMP Programs

Posted at 11:05h in Recent News by

It’s a super busy time of year obviously, but I wanted to pass along some info on some programs that are part of the CAP suite of programs offered by the PEI Department of Agriculture and Fisheries that might fit with some of your planting plans this spring.  I wanted to make sure they were communicated to you before crop goes in the ground to ensure that you can retain eligibility.

The full program guide from the PEIDAF for their Best Management Plans section of programs is linked here…but below I want to highlight a few in particular that might be especially applicable at the moment:

Soil Management:  Nutrient Management Planning BMP

  • 50% assistance up to $2,500 per year ($5,000 max) for services of a nutrient management planner
  • Contact Kyra Stiles for more info (316-1600 or kstiles@gov.pe.ca)

Soil Management:  Nutrient Management Demonstration Trial BMP

  • $500/acre up to max of $4,000 per trial.  Max of $8,000 over five years of CAP
  • For doing a fertility trial on-farm, signed off on by an agronomist/nutrient management planner.
  • If you are already planning on doing a fertility trial on your own or with an agronomist…definitely apply!
  • Contact Kyra Stiles for more info (316-1600 or kstiles@gov.pe.ca)

Soil Management:  Tillage Timing of Forages BMP

  • $25/acre up to max of $500 per field and $2,000 per year.  Max of $5,000 over 5 years of CAP
  • Assistance for early fall tillage followed by planting of cover crop, or delay of tillage of forages until the spring.
  • Contact Kyra Stiles for more info (316-1600 or kstiles@gov.pe.ca)

Irrigation Efficiency BMP

  • 30% assistance up to $15,000 for eligible irrigation efficiency expenses over the life of CAP
  • Includes purchase of irrigation equipment or modification of equipment to increase water use efficiency, monitoring equipment, soil sensors, fertigation equipment, etc.
  • Does not cover purchase of brand new irrigation systems for increased irrigated acres, or for pumps/pipes.
  • Contact Tobin Stetson for more info (314-0783 or trstetson@gov.pe.ca )

Integrated Pest Management:  Data Based Decisions BMP

  • $15/acre up to $800 per field and $2500 per year.  $5000 max for 5 years of CAP
  • Eligible expenses are third party or in-house fees associate with preparing or implementing an IPM monitoring plan, and costs associated with this plan.
  • Examples of eligible programs would be late blight decision tools/programs and/or spore trapping.
  • Contact Sebastian Ibarra for more info (314-0388 or sibarra@gov.pe.ca)

Integrated Pest Management:  Alternative/Disease Suppressive Crops BMP

  • $35/acre up to $1000 per field and $3000 per year.  Max of $6,000 over 5 years of CAP
  • Assistance for planting of habitat for beneficial organisms (ie. pollinators) or planting of a disease suppressive crop (ie. sudangrass, brown mustard, buckwheat, etc)
  • Would be particularly useful for anyone using crops to manage wireworm or early dying!
  • Contact Sebastian Ibarra for more info (314-0388 or sibarra@gov.pe.ca)

Integrated Pest Management:  Trials BMP

  • $500 per acre up to $4,000 per year, max of $6,000 over 5 years of CAP
  • For assistance in conducting on-farm trials using pest control products.   Must include a check (control) in comparison with the treatment.  Must be overseen by a professional agrologist or CCA.
  • Would be great for any growers looking at trials on Velum Prime, Elatus, or other crop protection products this year.
  • Contact Sebastian Ibarra for more info (314-0388 or sibarra@gov.pe.ca)

Please feel free to contact any of the noted PEIDAF staff members or the Lorraine MacKinnon, the Potato Industry Coordinator, if you have interest in any of these programs.  Best to contact immediately as several of these programs will only accept limited applications.

Safe planting everyone,

Ryan