The Township of Southgate Council approved an Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program Policy to ensure the delivery of the program is facilitated in a way that fulfills program requirements and benefits members of the public who experience livestock loss due to wildlife predation. Please review the policy for further information.
Livestock and Wildlife
Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDCP)
The Township of Southgate provides a service to provide relief to farmers that have lost livestock due to animal attacks.
The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDCP) provides financial assistance to owners whose livestock, poultry and/ or honey bees have been damaged or killed by wildlife. The OWDCP is part of Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a five-year, $1.5 billion federal-provincial-territorial funding program launched in 2013. GF2 supports our agri-food and agri-products sector by encouraging innovation, competitiveness and market development alongside business risk management assistance.
If a farmer discovers that one of their farm animals has died, the animal should not be touched and the surrounding area should be left undisturbed. The producer must immediately contact one of the Township's Livestock Evaluators. The Livestock Inspector will determine the type of kill involved and obtain any other necessary information as required. When the on-site evaluation is completed, the livestock inspector submits the required documentation to the Township office for processing. Township staff will then submit the claim to OMAFRA for consideration and carry out the process for reimbursement if applicable.
OWDCP Application Requirements
Please note that in order to have an application approved by OMAFRA, all blank fields must be completed accurately. It is the responsibility of the livestock producer to ensure this. Specifically, a premises identification number and a farm business registration number are required. If you do not have a premises identification number, it can be obtained by visiting the Provincial Premises Registry webpage or by calling 1-855-697-7743. Additionally, you must take as many photos as possible of the kill(s) or damage(s). Without at least (5) photos of each individual animal, it will not be possible for OMAFRA staff to quantify the validity of the claim.
The Township of Southgate has two Livestock Evaluators available:
Brian Stevenson: 519-334-3468 or 519-323-7904
Doug Roberts: 519-373-1630
The Township of Southgate appoints livestock evaluators for a 4 year term. If you are interested in applying to become a livestock evaluator in the future, please contact the Clerk's Department.
Coyote & Wolf Compensation Program
Grey County offers a coyote/wolf compensation program to reduce conflict between problem coyotes and livestock owners within the County. It allows Grey County to compensate authorized hunters or trappers to hunt or trap localized coyotes or wolves that are directly related to an ongoing issue with predation or are threatening to property.
By-law 5300-26 - To Provide for the Control of Coyotes or Wolves
Coyote and Wolf Compensation Form
Approval is now required before hunting or trapping. Before hunting or trapping, approval must be obtained from Grey County. To request approval, submit a scanned copy of the Coyote and Wolf compensation form with Sections 1 and 2 completed to trapping@grey.ca. Forms can also be mailed or delivered in person to the Administration Office at 595 9th Ave. E., Owen Sound. Please allow up to 10 business days for approval.
For full program details, please visit the Grey County website.
Nuisance Beavers
Grey County offers a beaver compensation program in order to reduce conflict between problem beavers and land owners within the County.
The program is applicable to land owners within Grey County. It allows Grey County to compensate authorized trappers to trap localized beavers that are directly related to an ongoing issue related to flooding on a property. The intent is not to target the general beaver population over a widespread area.
By-law 5299-26 - To Provide the Removal of Nuisance Beaver
Nuisance Beaver Control Compensation Form
Approval is now required before trapping. Before trapping, approval must be obtained from Grey County. To request approval, submit a scanned copy of the form with Sections 1 and 2 completed to trapping@grey.ca. Forms can also be mailed or delivered in person to the Administration Office at 595 9th Ave. E., Owen Sound. Please allow up to 10 business days for approval.
For full program details, please visit the Grey County website.
