Saskatchewan Watersheds Environmental Agriculture Program

The Saskatchewan Watersheds Agriculture Environment Program (SWEAP)  has been awarded $40 million dollars of funding through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s On Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF)  to deliver extensive agriculture stewardship programming to Saskatchewan Producers.  SAW works with producers to increase the implementation of select Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) on farms in Saskatchewan to address issues related to climate change in agriculture.  

The BMPs eligible under SWEAP focus on three categories:

  1. 1. Improving Nitrogen Management:  

  1. a. The use of Polymer Coated Urea (PCU), and urease and nitrification inhibitors.

  1. b. Incorporating legumes into the crop rotation.

  1. c. Split fertilizer application and equipment upgrades 

  1. d. Soil testing, soil mapping and agronomic services.

  2.  

  1. 2. Increasing adoption of cover cropping: 

    1. a. Per-acre payment towards seed and/or seeding costs to seed cover crops. 

  2.  

  1. 3. Expanding the adoption of rotational grazing:  

  1. a. Cross fencing and perimeter fencing to support a grazing plan developed by a

  2. b. Professional Agrologist.

  1. c. Water system infrastructure to support a grazing plan developed by a Professional Agrologist.

  1. d. Pasture Composition Improvement: Over-seeding of legumes into existing forage stands.  

Factsheets

Click on one of the buttons below to learn more about BMPs covered through the program, eligibility requirements, and more!

Cover Cropping Factsheet
Rotational Grazing Factsheet
Equipment Upgrades & Split Fertilization Factsheet
Legumes in Rotation Factsheet
PCU Inhibitors Factsheet
Soil Testing, Mapping & Agronomic Services Factsheet
SWEAP Verification Photo Requirements Factsheet

Program Guidelines:

  • All projects need to be either a new practice for the operation OR an expanded acres where the practice was not done prior to 2022.
  • All projects must be endorsed by a licensed agrology professional.
  • Invoices must dated on or after February 1, 2025.
  • Total payments cannot exceed $100,000 from all OFCAF funding sources for the period February 7, 2022 and March 31, 2028.

Applicants work directly with SAW’s Agri-Environmental Coordinators to apply to SWEAP. 

  • Project verification may include invoices, proof of payment, GPS stamped photos and/or other BMP dependent documents.
  • SWEAP is subject to change without notice.

Quick Reference Table

SAW hosted a workshop for agriculture professionals introducing SWEAP.  To view videos from the training, click on the link below

Click here

For more information, contact us at info@saskwatersheds.ca or (306) 541-9902.