Agricultural Crown Land
Agricultural Crown lands (ACL) in Manitoba are public lands managed for agricultural purposes like grazing, haying, and cropping. These lands are leased through public auctions and casual permits, with forage leases lasting up to 15 years and cropping leases typically five years. The program balances agricultural use with environmental stewardship, supporting sustainable livestock expansion and climate change adaptation.
The management of these lands is governed by The Crown Lands Act, which outlines the regulations and processes for leasing and using Crown lands. Land coding for agriculture involves evaluating soil productivity, water availability, and ecological impact. Specialists use tools like soil surveys and land capability maps to classify land into categories that reflect its best use. This careful planning process helps determine the intensity of use and development potential for different parcels of Crown land.
Agricultural Crown lands are Crown lands coded for agriculture use and are administered under the Agricultural Crown Lands Leases and Permits Regulation. Agricultural Crown Land may be leased for grazing, haying or annual cropping, depending on the authorized use and capability of the land.
Mandate: The Agricultural Crown Land Program supports the sustainable expansion of the livestock herd in Manitoba, contributes to ecological goods and services, and provides mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
Agricultural Crown Land Program Review - Public Engagement
Manitoba Agriculture is undertaking a comprehensive review of the ACL Program. As part of the review, Manitoba is seeking public input on proposed changes in three key areas:
- Lease Allocation Methods - Exploring options to improve fairness, transparency, and accessibility.
- Limits on Total ACL Holdings - Considering restrictions to prevent concentration of leases and promote equitable access.
- Lease Renewal Policies - Reviewing renewal options to balance certaintly for leaseholders with opportunities for new entrants.
How to Participate
We invite all Manitobans to share their views through the EngageMB survey, available until November 24, 2025. Your feedback will help shape future regulatory updates and program improvements.
Visit EngageMB to complete the survey and learn more about the ACL Program Review.
For more information please contact Manitoba Agriculture at agcrownlands@gov.mb.ca
Rental Rate Freeze
Agriculture is a cornerstone of Manitoba's economy, providing essential resources and livelihoods for communities across the province. In support of producers and the agricultural sector, Manitoba is extending the rental rate freeze for forage leases and permits through 2026.
For both 2025 and 2026, the rental portion of forage leases and permits will remain at $3.66 per Animal Unit Month (AUM). Please note: this freeze applies only the rental portion and does not include the property tax component of lease and permit fees.
This continued rate freeze reflects Manitoba's commitment to affordability and sustainability, helping producers manage operational costs and maintain viability through changing climate and market volatility.
ACL Permits
Agricultural Crown lands that are not currently under lease or permit are available to be used on a temporary (1-year) basis.
Interested producers are required to contact a Farm Production Extension Specialist - Crown Lands (FPES-CL) to fill out an application. Where multiple applications are received prior to April 1st, the parcels are allocated by draw. Remaining parcels are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Producers are encouraged to be familiar with the parcel prior to filling out an application. Once submitted, the application is considered a binding commitment to accept the permit upon award.
To determine if parcels of land in your area are available for use, or for any other inquiries, contact your local Farm Production Extension Specialist - Crown Lands (FPES-CL).
Support and Guidance for ACL Lease and Permit Holders
Manitoba has updated its operational policies to better support the ACL program. For more information, visit manitoba.ca/agriculture/land-management/crown-land/leasing-program.html. Manitoba Agriculture's Farm Production Extension Specialists - Crown Lands (FPES-CL) are ready to help ACL lease and permit holders with programs.
If you need specific lease or permit info, or want to learn about funding incentives, contact your local Farm Production Extension Specialist - Crown Lands (FPES-CL) today.
Resilient Agricultural Landscapes Program: Carbon Sequestration & Grasslands Resilience
The Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience is offered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and provides funding to support sustainable farming in Manitoba.
Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program: Carbon Sequestration and Grassland Resilience (RALP) supports on-farm beneficial management practices and projects that enhance the provision of ecological goods and services, through two BMPs: Agroforestry and Grasslands & Grazing Management. The eligibility has been expanded, and eligible applicants now include primary producers across Manitoba, Association of Manitoba Community Pastures, ACL forage lease holders, and Indigenous primary producers and communities, including First Nation and Mètis.
For more information about this program, including intake dates, please follow the link below. For the most up-to-date information on upcoming programming, subscribe to the Growing Manitoba Ag newsletter (click here) and follow us on X (formerly Twitter) (@MBGovAg).
Services
The Agricultural Crown Lands Leasing Program administers leases and permits and promotes improvement of agricultural Crown lands.
Manitoba Agriculture provides oversight of the provincial community pastures program, administered by the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures.
Manitoba Agriculture Farm Production Extension Specialists - Crown Lands (FPES-CL) provide advice on farm production using agricultural Crown lands.
Temporary Suspension of Crown Land and Property Sales
The Manitoba Government has temporarily suspended the acceptance of all applications for the purchase of Crown land or property.
Efforts are currently underway to modernize and improve the process to identify Crown land and property available for sale and to develop a fair and transparent way of communicating this information.
Applications previously received at the Real Estate Services Branch (formerly Crown Lands Property Agency) will continue to be processed.
Related Links:
Contact
For further information, please contact us at:
Manitoba Agriculture
Agricultural Crown Lands
PO Box 1286
Minnedosa, MB R0J 1E0
Office: 204-867-6550
Fax: 204-867-6578
Email: agcrownlands@gov.mb.ca
or
Manitoba Agriculture, Farm Production Extension Specialists - Crown Lands (FPES-CL), Crown Lands District Offices
