Permanent Working Cover

2024-2025 TAEP Application A

50% Cost Share – Maximum Reimbursement - $4,000

The amount of payment is based upon 50% of expenses incurred for eligible program items up to the program maximum.
Permanent Working Cover reimbursement is based on eligible project amount up to maximum per square foot. Square footage is calculated post to post. Overhang is not eligible in calculating square footage. Livestock equipment is not eligible for cost share.

Applicant Responsibility

It is the applicant’s responsibility to review all TAEP program requirements prior to applying for cost share. Applicant must qualify for program selected at time of application to be considered for approval.

Applicant Eligibility
Educational Requirements
Reimbursement Requirements
Verification Requirements
Applying for TAEP

Minimum Requirements

Cattle – 30 head or Goats/Sheep – 50 head

Applicant must meet at least one of the minimum requirements of head of livestock for program. Verification of minimum requirements may be requested prior to approval. Head of Livestock = maximum number of single type, regardless of sex or age, at any one time during the last 12 months. Goats/Sheep can be combined to meet minimum head requirement.

Eligible Items & Requirements – Print Version

Eligible Items & Requirements

Permanent Working Cover — the purpose of this structure is to cover pre-existing permanent livestock working equipment (alley, crowding system area, and head gate and/or squeeze chute). Livestock equipment is not eligible for cost share.

The completed project must show:
•    Livestock working equipment permanently installed in a functional layout under the cover
•    Livestock access/movement from outside flowing into the covered crowding system area

Requirements
•    Structure or addition
    •    Structure/addition must be new construction pole or hoop style
    •    Additions to existing structures must be in the form of a side shed
    •    Minimum of two openings for livestock access/movement
    •    Sides/walls are optional
•    Minimum size of 480 sq. ft.
    •    Square footage is calculated post to post
•    Minimum width of 16 ft.
•    Minimum eave height – 10 ft. high clearance at the outside of the shortest wall
•    Minimum setup of pre-existing livestock working equipment – the following equipment is required to be permanently placed in a functional layout under the cover at time of reimbursement:
    •    Alley
    •    Crowding system area
    •    Head gate and/or squeeze chute

Eligible Material & Labor
•    New lumber – braces, framing, posts, sides, trusses
•    New metal – braces, framing, posts, roof, sides, trusses
•    New polymer coated fabric – roof and siding for hoop style barn
•    Labor for construction of permanent working cover structure
    •    Labor must be itemized on invoice
    •    Labor provided by applicant is not eligible

Reimbursement Maximum Per Square Foot
$4.00/sq. ft. maximum reimbursement

Reimbursement Request Deadline – August 1, 2025

Allowable purchase dates for Working Structures & Fence-line Systems are from October 1, 2024 – August 1, 2025.
All items, regardless of backorder status, must be purchased (paid in full or financed) by the program reimbursement deadline. Backordered items may be ineligible for cost share if not delivered to the farm by the program deadline.
Receipts must be in the name of the applicant approved for cost share funding.
Quotes and purchase orders do not represent a purchase and are not considered receipts.
Proof of payment may be requested to verify purchase.
See “Reimbursement Requirements” link at the top of the page for more information.