Wildlife Damage Compensation Program

Unpredictable wildlife damage can quickly turn a strong growing season into a financial setback for farmers. In New Brunswick, agricultural producers dealing with losses caused by wildlife have access to meaningful financial relief through the Wildlife Damage Compensation Program. Designed to help offset the impact of damaged crops or injured or lost livestock, this program recognizes that even well-managed farms can be affected by factors beyond their control.

Administered by the Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries, the program provides non-repayable compensation to eligible farms across the province. Funding can reach up to roughly $35,000 per year, helping cover a significant portion of verified losses. The focus is on producers who actively manage and protect their operations, such as using fencing, deterrents, or other accepted practices to reduce wildlife risk. Losses are assessed after being reported and confirmed, ensuring compensation reflects actual damage rather than poor management or neglect.

This support is particularly valuable for small and medium-sized farms where a single incident of wildlife predation or crop damage can have an outsized impact on cash flow. Whether you raise livestock or grow crops, understanding how this program works—and how to document and report losses properly—can make a real difference when wildlife damage occurs. Exploring the full details through GrantHub can help determine if this program fits your operation and how to prepare if losses happen.