The Government of Manitoba has decided to make a change to the new crown land leasing program, after the initial changes brought backlash from producers.
The province announced Friday that they reversed a decision to make all expired leases go to auction, and will instead give producers the first right of renewal, meaning they could possibly transfer farms from generation to generation.
There are approximately 1,750 forage leaseholders in Manitoba, with the most of that land being in the Parkland.
The changes that came into effect on October 1st, reduced current lease maximums from 50 years to 15 years.
On Friday, the province said farmers who have legacy forage leases that expire before Dec. 31, 2034, will have the first right to renew until that date. After that, the leases go back to auction.
Producers with leases that expire after 2034 will continue under their current terms, and are not affected by the new rules.
