Nova Scotia Beef Finishing Equipment Support Program & Nova Scotia Local Beef Processing Program

• Completed application form.
• Quotes for eligible purchases or for the work to be done.
• Proof of farm registration in Nova Scotia and proof of finished cattle sold for 2023, 2024, and 2025.
• Documentation showing the project meets current municipal and provincial building code requirements, a dated building permit, and a letter from the Agriculture Inspection Services Division indicating floor plan pre-construction approval.
• Financial statements for the past two years of operation, an annual report and/or projection on local beef carcasses slaughtered or processed, and a detailed business plan with three-year revenue projections.

Who is eligible?

• Nova Scotia beef producers.
• Nova Scotia abattoir owners and processors.
• Farm or company applicants involved in beef finishing or local beef processing.

Eligible expenses

• Livestock handling equipment, scales, tag readers, feed mixers, and feed bunks.
• Installation costs related to eligible equipment.
• Other items related to livestock handling and feeding efficiency, determined on a case-by-case basis.
• Construction costs or permanent fixtures with paperwork demonstrating building code compliance with municipal and provincial inspection standards.
• Accredited service providers, tradespeople, inspectors, and engineering services.

Ineligible Costs and Activities

• Infrastructure, including barns, barn expansions, and grain bins.
• Cattle trailers and round balers.
• Administrative costs and general overhead, including HST.
• In-kind labour and contributions, operating expenses, existing staff salaries, and regular maintenance or incremental costs.
• Exploratory travel, land purchases, and any work that does not meet municipal and provincial regulatory requirements.

• Complete the application form available through the program website.
• Submit a complete application form and supporting documents between February 5, 2026 and May 29, 2026.
• If you cannot access the online application form, request a paper copy by calling 902-678-7722 and speaking with or leaving a message for Kelly.

• Successful applicants receive a Letter of Agreement that must be signed and returned to officially open the project.
• After Perennia receives the signed Letter of Agreement, a claim form is sent.
• At the end of the project, applicants must submit a Final Project Report with their claim.
• The Final Project Report must include a detailed and measurable overview of how the project met the program’s goals and a financial overview of how the funds were expended.
• Successful applicants must keep and submit a copy of their processing numbers for five years after they receive support.
• Claims may be submitted by email to beefprograms@perennia.ca with Claim in the subject line; if another option is needed, contact at least two business days before the claim deadline.

• Late applications will not be accepted.
• Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
• If you have been selling close to 20, or have two years of sales over 20, you should consider applying.
• The review committee considers a variety of situations when looking at proof of cattle sold.