The Saskatchewan government has updated its formula for calculating lease rates for grazing Crown land in 2025.
The provincial agriculture ministry has introduced an amended formula that uses average price of cattle marketed between October 1 to November 30 of the five preceding years, as opposed to the previous formula, which was based on fall cattle prices from the previous year.
The ministry has also introduced a 20 per cent cap on annual rental rate increases to mitigate against sharp fluctuations.
“We have listened to feedback from producers and, as a result, these changes will contribute to the further growth of the province’s livestock sector,” said Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison, in the March 6 announcement. “Additionally, this new formula provides a fair and transparent pricing structure for producers and a fair return for a public asset back to Saskatchewan taxpayers.”
The province held consultations on the lease formula in 2024 after freezing rates at 2022 levels in 2023 and 2024.
“We have been requesting changes to the formula for a while and are pleased where the province has landed,” noted Keith Day, passt chair of the Saskatchewan Cattle Association. “The 20 per cent ceiling on fee increase will help producers and community pastures better plan for any possible changes to the rates.”
Saskatchewan has approximately six million acres of Crown land under grazing leases.
