Livestock Management Funding Opportunities

Agricultural Climate Solutions – On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)

Initially announced in 2021, the $200-million On-Farm Climate Action Fund  (OFCAF) was an initiative through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to help farmers tackle climate change. Now entering a further three-year expansion, the now $704.1-million OFCAF will continue supporting farmers in their efforts to become more climate resilient.

The objective of the fund is to support farmers in adopting beneficial management practices (BMPs) that store carbon and reduce greenhouse gases, specifically in the areas of:

1. nitrogen management
2. cover cropping
3. rotational grazing practices

While the funding is through the Federal government of Canada, the funds are distributed through arms lengths agencies, which each have different requirements and funding streams they support.

The Canadian Forage and Grassland Association (CFGA) and BC Forage Council (BCFC) are working together, exclusively  on supporting the rotational grazing practices stream in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan provinces, while the B.C. Investment Agriculture Foundation (IAF) is funding all 3 streams. The OFCAF funding administered by IAF is referred to as Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (CAF) funding, as they also support the Yukon. 

In the first agreement (which was valid for three years) the cap on funding from OFCAF was $75,000.00. In the second agreement (2025/26 – 2027/28) the cap on total funding from OFCAF is $100,000.00. Note that includes dollars received from the first agreement.

IAF offers nitrogen, cover cropping and rotational grazing funding via OFCAF (which their program refers to as CAF funding) while CFGA/BCFC just offers rotational grazing funding. Regardless of the source (IAF or CFGA/BCFC) or type of funding (nitrogen, cover crops and/or rotational grazing) the cap for an operation is $100,000.00 of OFCAF dollars. 

OFCAF Funding – Delivered by BC Forage Council/Canadian Forage and Grassland Association

Cost Share Ratio

The cost-shared ratio is 70/30, meaning that 70% of the eligible costs for approved projects can be covered by OFCAF funding. The remaining 30% must be provided by the applicant.

Maximum Funding Amounts 

$100,000 (note that this total includes any funding received through IAF under the CAF program)

Application Requirements

All applications must have an accompanying rotational grazing plan, you can create your own, or enlist the help of a Grazing Mentor to create one. Funding is available (up to 85% cost share) to support the development of grazing plans with the assistance of a mentor. 

Eligible Expenses

• Grazing Plan
• Fencing (e.g. portable electric fence systems such as the Razer Grazer, Power Grazer, or Bison Grazer. As well, virtual fencing is included in this category)
• Water Systems (e.g. solar water buggy and solar water pumps)
• Improving Pastures

Applicant Eligibility

• Individual agricultural producers, incorporated farms or partnerships 
• Located in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan
• Registered with Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with a GST number and minimum gross income

Funding Window

Funding for OFCAF Projects opens February 1st 2026!

Grazing Mentors

Below are profiles of current Grazing Mentors who have signed up to work with CFGA and BCFC to implement the program in British Columbia.

Mentor	Located	Region
Nadia Mori	Rose Prairie	Peace Region
Chris Solecki	Burns Lake	Bulkley-Nechako, Fraser-Fort George & Beyond
Mike Witt	Okanagan	Okanagan, Kootenay Region
Michelle Schaeffer	Peace	Peace Region
Jim Forbes	Kamloops	Thompson-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin
Tim Ross	Cranbrook	Kootenay Region
Rob Dinwoodie	Vernon	Okanagan-Similkameen, Cariboo-Chilcotin
Graeme Fowler	Comox	Vancouver Island
Greg Tegart	Coldstream	Thompson-Nicola, Okanagan, Kootenay Region

OFCAF Funding Delivered Through the Climate Agri-Solutions Fund (CAF) 

Distribution channel

Distributed through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF)

Maximum Funding Amounts 

$100,000 (note that this total includes any funding received through CFGA/BCFC)

Cost Share Ratio

The cost-shared ratio is 85/15, meaning that 85% of the eligible costs for approved projects can be covered by CAF funding. The remaining 15% must be provided by the applicant.

Application Requirements

Each practice activity must be reviewed and recommended/approved by an Agrologist before application or as part of the project approval process. If you have consulted with an Agrologist before submitting your application, you will be required to indicate that in the application form and provide their name and supporting documents, where applicable. If you haven’t consulted an Agrologist, your application will undergo technical review by an Agrologist after submission.

Eligible Expenses

The following activities are eligible for funding through CAF in their respective categories. All activities must contribute to the overall program goal of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions or increasing soil carbon.

1. Nitrogen Management

• Use of nitrification and urease inhibitors
• Use of polymer coated urea (PCU) fertilizer
• Split application fertilizer
• Developing plans, technical assessments or engineered designs
• Soil testing and soil mapping (max. $20,000)
• Organic amendments
• Spring application of fertilizer
• Adding legumes in rotation
• Equipment for manure application or equipment upgrades (max. $30,000)

2. Cover Cropping

• Developing plans and technical assessments
• Intercropping & winter cover cropping (max. $30,000 for equipment at 50:50 cost-shared ratio)

3. Rotational Grazing

• Rotational grazing infrastructure (e.g. Razer Grazer, Bison Grazer, or Power Grazer)
• Improved pasture composition
• Developing grazing management plans, technical assessments, or engineered designs

Applicant Eligibility

Eligibility 

• Have a farm in BC or the Yukon
• Be appropriately registered, licensed and/ or certified to conduct business in BC and/or the Yukon
• Have farm status (BC applicants only)
• Be registered with CRA
• Be in operation for at least one year

Funding Window

Applications are closed for 2025, and will re-open in 2026

The Beneficial Management Practices (BMP) Program 

BMP funding is funded through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the agriculture and agrifood sector.  The S-CAP launched on April 1, 2023, for five years. 

This fund is distributed through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF)  and is intended to fund Environmental Farm Plan (EFP) identified areas of improvement on farms in British Columbia. 

At Okanagan Ranch and Fence Supplies, our products such as the Razer Grazer, Bison Grazer, Power Grazer, virtual fencing, and solar water buggy are eligible under the Riparian & Grazing project category, provided the products are used for fencing to manage and improve riparian condition and function, and/or provide alternative watering systems to manage livestock.

How It Works 

1. Environmental Farm Plan (EFP): Farmers complete an EFP to identify high-risk environmental areas on their farm (e.g., manure management, water use, soil erosion).
2. BMP Program Application: Farmers then apply for funding through the BMP program to address these identified risks. The program provides financial assistance (cost-sharing) for specific projects like improving manure storage, enhancing riparian areas, upgrading irrigation, or installing energy-efficient equipment.
3. Implementation & Reporting: Farmers implement the project and submit final reports and receipts for reimbursement through the IAF Client Portal/ IAF website. 

How to Get an Environmental Farm Plan

1. Sign up on the IAF Client Portal 
2. Request an EFP (located under the ‘Funding Opportunities’ tab)
3. Submit the request

IAF will connect you with an EFP Advisor who will work with you to complete the Environmental Farm Plan workbook, it generally takes a month or two to complete an entire EFP, so it’s a good idea to start on it early.

Distribution channel

Distributed through the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC (IAF)

Maximum Funding Amounts 

Between now and March 31, 2028, there is a per-farm lifetime funding cap of $100,000 across all BMP categories except the Water Infrastructure category (which is $200,000) and the Extreme Weather Preparedness category has a separate annual per-farm cap of $50,000. 

Cost Share Ratio

The cost sharing details depend what category the project falls into, but regardless of how many categories you chose to utilize, the per-farm lifetime funding cap of $100,000  applies (other than the water infrastructure category)

Category	Cost sharing	Max funding amount
Planning, Technical Assessments, or Engineered Designs	Basic Plans: 100% Complex Plans & Designs: 80% Biogas: 80% Extreme Weather Preparedness: 80-100%	Varies by plan. Contact IAF
Water Infrastructure	75%	$200,000
Biodiversity	50%	$25,000
Riparian & Grazing	60%	$70,000
Energy & Fuel Efficiency	30%	$50,000
Nutrient & Waste Management	50%	$50,000
Soil Carbon	50%	$35,000
Extreme Weather Preparedness	40%	$50,000

Application Requirements

Applicants must have of a current EFP. Once your EFP is completed, it will be valid for 5 years. While your EFP is valid, you are eligible to apply for all BMP categories  and receive funding to tackle projects and hire qualified professionals.

Eligible Expenses

Example eligible products that we provide through Okanagan Fence Supplies include: (see the IAF website for full listing of eligible costs):

• Solar, gravity-fed, wind, grid or alternative power pumps
• Cross fencing to implement rotational, seasonal, rest, swath, and extended grazing systems
• Portable electric fencing set-ups (such as our Razer Grazer, Power Grazer, and Bison Grazer), including solar battery chargers, battery and initial line and post purchases
• Virtual fencing

Applicant Eligibility

B.C. farm and ranch businesses with a goods and services tax (GST) number that have an approved and valid EFP within the last five years and that reflects current farming operations.

Funding Window

Applications are closed for 2025, and will re-open in early 2026 (e.g. January or February). 

Funding goes very quickly, so ensure you have an active EFP ready, and that you’ve drafted your application prior to the submission window opening. 

IMPORTANT! It can take up to 2 business days to validate your organization, so make an account on the IAF client portal early, don’t wait!