| Can I pay my application fees (new disposition, assignment) by Visa or Mastercard? |
No. Crown Lands and Property Agency accepts only cash, cheques or money orders. Payments can also be made at your local District Office and/or Regional Office. However, Visa, MasterCard and Interac payments, along with the submission of forms, are accepted at 200 Saulteaux Crescent, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
For more information, see Payment Options for Parks, Lands, and Agriculture |
| Do I qualify to rent/lease agricultural Crown land? |
To lease agricultural Crown land, the applicant must meet the following criteria:
- be of the full age of 18 years
- be a Canadian citizen and resident of Manitoba
- be actively involved in the management of the leased land and perform most of the labour throughout the term of the lease
In addition:
- To obtain a Forage Lease and/or Hay or Grazing Permit, the applicant must,, currently or within one year of approval, own or lease sufficient livestock. More Crown land may be leased, provided the additional land that is required to support 4800 animal unit months (AUMs) livestock operation does not exceed the amount controlled by the individual or corporation.
- To obtain a Cropping Lease, the individual or corporation must meet the eligibility criteria described in the eligibility policy noted below and/or the lease contract
See the Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program policies on the MAFRD website (www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/land/crown-land/leasing-program.html), specifically "Eligibility to Acquire and/or Hold Agricultural Crown Land under Lease or Permit."
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| How can I apply to purchase agricultural Crown land? |
| A current agricultural tenant, who has leased the Crown land for a minimum of two consecutive years at the time of application, may apply to purchase the land. A review will be undertaken to determine whether the land may be available for sale upon submission of a completed Application for Permit/Lease/Purchase/Easement/Exchange/License of Occupation (under The Crown Lands Act, c. C340) form and applicable fee. |
| How can I get information regarding my account? |
| For questions regarding your account for agricultural leases and permits, please contact Sherri Burton at (204) 239-3790 or toll-free at 1-866-210-9589. |
| How can I tell if my farm is eligible for Century Farm status? |
| Contact the Supervisor of the Crown Lands Registry at (204) 239-3805 with the legal description and landowner's name. |
| How is rental calculated? |
Rental on agricultural land is calculated as follows:
- pasture at comparable market value is calculated using a formula that is reviewed in years divisible by 5
- cropping lands are tendered to highest bidder
- development (e.g., land improvement) is done at lessee cost and rental rates are not increased for an agreed-upon number of years, depending on the extent of the development
For inquiries related to a specific lease, please contact Sherri Burton at (204) 239-3790 or toll-free at 1-866-210-9589.
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| Transfers (In-family and Unit): How do they apply and what is the criteria? |
In-Family Transfers
Transfers of all leased lands comprised in a leasehold may be allowed from an eligible lessee to an eligible family member providing the recipient is or will be actively involved in the lessee's farming/ranching operation. Transfers involving only a portion of the leasehold may be considered. A family member includes a lessee's legally recognized spouse, son, daughter, father, mother, sister, brother, niece, nephew or grandchildren.
Unit Transfer
This type of transfer Includes the transfer of Crown land to eligible purchasers of the lessee's privately owned lands where the handling facilities form an integral part of the unit with the land base. Ranch or farm units consisting solely of leased Crown lands may also be eligible for transfer, subject to the lessee and purchaser being eligible, and providing all leased lands and the handling facilities are included. |
| What are improvements and who owns them? |
To properly utilize Crown land for agricultural purposes, lessees/permittees may be authorized to construct necessary improvements and structures on the land they hold under agricultural lease or permit. Improvements may include fences, dugouts, wells, livestock handling facilities, dykes, drains, trails, etc.
Authorization. All improvements placed on Crown lands require prior written authorization.
Compensation. Compensation for authorized improvements will be considered based on:
- the conditions outlined in the lease or permit
- the policy allowing compensation for chattel/improvements
- the account being paid in full
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| What are the deadline dates if I want to surrender my interest? |
- Cropping Leases: December 1
- Forage and Renewable Permits: May 1
- Casual: 30 days
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| What is A.U.M.? |
"A.U.M." means animal unit month. This is the amount of forage required to feed one mature 1,000 lb cow, with or without calf at foot, for one month while maintaining the vegetative stand on the leased lands in good condition.
The number divided by 4 is the estimated number of animals that can be grazed for the full grazing season. For example, if the A.U.M. is shown as 40, then an estimated 10 animals could be grazed for the full grazing season. |
| What is the difference between Joint Tenants and Tenants in Common? |
Joint Tenants are defined as two or more people who hold an undivided interest in the entire property. After death, the survivor acquires the deceased’s interest.
Tenants in Common are defined as two or more people who each have an undivided interest in the property; each of whom may occupy all the land in common with the other. Each tenant may dispose of their interest by will or deed. There is no right of survivorship as in joint tenancy. |
| What is the selection process for advertised agricultural land? |
The selection process for Forage Leases and Renewable Permits is:
Allocation
Interested clients meet with their local Farm Production Advisor to complete an application, questionnaire and worksheets that supplies the information used in the land allocation process. The process uses a scoring system which awards points to an applicant based on the following factors:
- forage and land management
- herd size
- non-farm income
- age bonus
- new lessee
- proximity
- distance
Following the application closing date, the applications, questionnaires and worksheets are scored and compared. Points for each allocation factor are awarded according to established schedules. A parcel of land is normally allocated to the top scoring applicant. The allocation of land based on the points scored may, in certain circumstances, be waived. For example, where an applicant with the highest score is not the logical user.
The selection process for Cropping Lease Tenders is:
Awarding Tender
- sealed tenders are received by the Crown Lands and Property Agency
- bidders, whose completed applications and questionnaires do not meet the required eligibility criteria, will have their remittance envelopes returned unopened
- the tender will normally be awarded to the eligible applicant with the highest tendered amount.
All applicants submitting bids will be advised of the successful bidder and advised that the names of bidders and the tender amounts are available to the bidders upon request.
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| When is agricultural Crown land advertised? |
| Agricultural Crown land is generally advertised in the fall of each year. |
| When/How can I add an interest in lands? |
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Anyone principally engaged in farming can indicate their agricultural interest in Crown land by contacting their local Farm Production Advisor.
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| Who do I contact to remove timber from Crown owned land? |
Contact the Regional Lands Office for your area:
- Dauphin (204) 648-3419
- The Pas (204) 620-2498
- Thompson (204) 679-8434
- Beausejour (204) 345-4323
- Gimli (204) 642-2580
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| Who is the Agricultural Crown Land Advisor in my area? |
| For a listing of advisors, visit the Agricultural Crown Lands District Offices website at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/land/crown-land/agricultural-crown-lands-district-offices.html |
| Why are the agricultural forms not available online? |
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MAFRI requires that anyone applying to lease or permit Crown Land for agricultural purposes contact their local Farm Production Advisor.
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