what is pwcp?

The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) provides funding incentives to producers who implement any of three eligible beneficial management practices (BMPs) into their operations. To qualify, BMPs must be a new practice or an expansion of an existing practice onto new acres. 

The three BMPs eligible for PWCP funding are cover cropping, nitrogen management, and rotational grazing. There are various practices eligible for funding in each BMP category. See below for more details on eligible practices. 

To assist producers with their adoption of new BMPs, the program offers producers resources to support BMP implementation and provide BMP design recommendations.

Producers may be eligible for up to $75,000 to cover up to 85% of implementation costs (cost share model). Funding limits may vary in each watershed district. Contact your local watershed district for more information. 

The Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) is led by the Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) and delivered by Manitoba’s Watershed Districts and the Saskatchewan Association of Watersheds (SAW).

Why should a producer implement beneficial management practices on their land? 

BMPs have a wide range of benefits to a producer, to the local landscape, and to the environment. These practices can make a farm more resilient to flooding and droughts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve soil health to name a few. They can even help reduce costs on a farm.

Read this article to see how three local farmers have implemented BMPs on their land and what benefits they have seen so far.  

Who is eligible for PWCP funding? 

Any farmer or producer whose land is within the boundaries of a watershed district may apply for funding. 

PWCP is designed to support local agriculture, however not all practices work on all types of land. To be eligible for funds through PWCP the BMPs must be recommended by a professional agrologist or licensed crop advisor.

Need help connecting with an agrology professional? Your local watershed district can help! 

Eligible Practices: Cover Cropping

• Fall and spring cover crops 

• Full-season annual and/or perennial cover crops 

• Planning and technical assessments

Eligible Practices: Rotational Grazing

• Fencing to support the rotational grazing plan 

• Watering Systems to support the rotational grazing plan 

• Improved pasture compositions by seeding legumes such as alfalfa or sainfoin 

• Creation of a rotational grazing management plan 

Eligible Practices: Nitrogen Management

• Use of Polymer Coated Urea (PCU) Fertilizer

• Use of Combined Nitrification and Urease Inhibitors or use of dual inhibitors

• Agronomic Support for Nitrogen Management Plans

• Soil Testing

• Soil Mapping

• Adding Legumes to crop rotation

• Upgrading seeder equipment to allow for banding, side dressing or injection of fertilizer

• Split Application of Fertilizer to improve Nitrogen use

• Upgrading manure injection and incorporation equipment

• Offsetting higher cost of synthetic fertilizer substitutes (manure, compost, digestates)