The Saskatchewan government moved Thursday to provide cash assistance to the province's ailing livestock industry.

A straight, per-animal payment program was unveiled by Bob Bjornerud, the province's minister of agriculture, who said a total of $71 million will go to cattle and hog producers in the province.

"This program will help producers retain their breeding herds and address immediate cash flow needs," Bjornerud said in a news release.

Producers will get $40 per head for all breeding cows and bred heifers on a farm as of Jan. 1, 2009.

Cheques will also be provided to hog producers for animals they sold between July 1, 2008 and Jan. 31, 2009. The payments will be $20 per animal for market hogs and $10 for weanlings.

Bjornerud said he wants the federal government to contribute $100 million to the program.

He said federal assistance during tough economic times should not be limited to only the auto industry of Ontario.

People in the industry welcomed the provincial money.

"Somebody out there realizes how bad it is and cares [about] what's happening," Joe Kleinsasser, a past chairperson of the producer agency Sask Pork, told CBC News on Thursday. "It's a big morale booster."

Others, like cattle owner Brian Ross, said they hoped federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz would take a cue from the provincial program and take action.

"For Mr. Ritz to turn his back on producers in his own native province especially is very frustrating," Ross said.

Bjornerud said he felt the same way.

"We are tired of the federal government's excuses for not doing anything meaningful to date," he said. "With significant support for other areas of the Canadian economy, the federal government needs to recognize the importance of our cattle and hog industries as well."

Bjornerud says the provincial money should begin flowing to farmers by March.

Only Saskatchewan producers are eligible for the money. Corporations or other operations that have headquarters in the province can also get money through the program. The maximum payment is $2 million per operation.