Nova Scotia beef farmers getting $2.3M boost to help grow industry
Nova Scotia is investing another $2.3 million into its beef industry, with new funding aimed at helping farmers expand their operations and bring more locally raised beef to market.
Agriculture Minister Greg Morrow announced the Nova Scotia Beef Development Program Thursday at South River Ranch in St. Andrews, Antigonish County.
The program will help farmers buy more cattle, expand barns and make other improvements to increase production.
Speaking with Acadia News, Morrow said the province wanted to make the funding flexible enough to meet the different needs of farmers.
“Maybe someone needs a bigger barn to expand. Maybe someone needs more cattle. It is very flexible,” said Morrow.
“That’s what we heard from industry, is that they want flexibility.”
Farmers can receive up to 25 per cent of eligible project costs, to a maximum of $250,000.
Morrow said the program is primarily aimed at existing beef producers, although the province is open to hearing from farmers interested in entering the industry.
The new funding is part of the broader Nova Scotia Beef Initiative, which has supported improvements to cattle health, processing facilities and other areas of the industry.
Morrow said those investments are helping build on significant growth in recent years.
“It’s nearly doubled in terms of farm cash receipts since 2021,” he said.
“We’re very excited by the momentum and we want to carry it forward.”
Morrow also emphasized that the new program was developed with direct input from farmers, rather than being designed solely by government.
“These are coming from industry, and this is what they’ve asked for,” he said.
According to the province, Nova Scotia had 370 licensed beef producers in 2025-26.
The industry was valued at approximately $48 million in 2025, with 4,458 cattle processed at provincially licensed facilities.
The latest funding brings the province’s total investment through the Nova Scotia Beef Initiative to more than $5.2 million.
The program is being administered by Perennia, with applications reviewed through a competitive process.
Applications are now open, with a deadline of December 11.
Farmers can find more information and apply through Perennia’s website.
