The Manitoba government is extending the rent freeze on Agricultural Crown Lands (ACL) forage leases through the 2026 growing season, providing continued financial relief to producers.
“Continuing this rent freeze provides financial stability for producers and reflects our commitment to affordability,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn said in announcing the extension last week.
The current rental rate of $3.66 per animal unit month will remain unchanged, keeping Manitoba’s ACL rates the lowest in Western Canada. The program supports about 1,750 leaseholders who depend on Crown lands for grazing, haying, and cropping, helping sustain the province’s livestock sector while promoting responsible land use and respecting Indigenous and treaty rights.
Cattle producer Brent Benson welcomed the move, calling it “a relief for Crown land users” after a year marked by extreme weather, volatile markets, and feed shortages. Alongside the rent freeze, the province has launched the first phase of public engagement to help modernize the ACL program. Through an online survey on EngageMB, Manitobans can share feedback on lease allocation methods, limits on total holdings per leaseholder, and renewal options for modern leases.
“Manitoba Beef Producers appreciates the consultations,” said organization president Matthew Atkinson. “We strongly encourage beef producers to make their views known during this important engagement process.”
The survey runs until Nov. 24, with additional consultations planned before regulatory updates are finalized in 2027. Interested participants can visit engagemb.ca/ag-crown-lands to share feedback.
