Permanent Working Cover

2025-2026 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 working equipment is required to be permanently installed under cover at time of reimbursement request to be eligible for cost share. Livestock equipment is not eligible for cost share under Working Structures program.

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 permanent livestock working equipment (alley, crowding system area, and head gate and/or squeeze chute). Livestock working equipment is required to be permanently installed under cover at time of reimbursement request to be eligible for cost share. Livestock equipment is not eligible for cost share under Working Structures program.

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
•    New standalone structure
    •    Structure must be new construction standalone pole or hoop style
    •    Minimum of two openings for livestock access/movement
    •    Sides/walls are optional
    •    Additions in the form of side sheds or extensions are not eligible
    •    Carport/Garage type structures are not eligible
•    Minimum size of 800 sq. ft.; square footage is calculated post to post  
•    Minimum width of 20 ft.
•    Minimum length of 40 ft.
•    Minimum 10 ft. eave height
•    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 to be eligible for cost share:
    •    Alley
    •    Crowding system area
    •    Head gate and/or squeeze chute

Eligible Material & Labor
•    New lumber/metal – braces, framing, posts (min. 6”), roof, sides, trusses; not eligible -galvanized metal tubing
•    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, 2026

Allowable purchase dates for Working Structures & Fence-line Systems are from October 1, 2025 – August 1, 2026.
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.