Livestock groups across Canada have begun scrutinizing the details in federal government plans to speed up producers’ access to $3.8 billion in loans and stabilization payments, announced Friday by Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. Ottawa plans to “accelerate access” to payments from the 2006 Canadian Ag Income Stabilization (CAIS) program, AgriStability 2007, AgriInvest and the $600 […] Read more
Livestock producers to get faster access to loans, payments
Aid package set for Ont. livestock, horticulture sectors
Ontario has pledged $150 million in direct aid and other programs for its cattle, hog and horticulture producers in early 2008. Agriculture Minister Leona Dombrowsky announced the funding Friday, including direct payments of $100 million to cattle and hog producers and $30 million to horticulture producers. “We are responding to the near-record low prices and […] Read more
Sask. offers loan extensions for livestock producers
Livestock producers who have breeder loans through a breeder association in Saskatchewan’s livestock loan guarantee (LLG) program can now apply for a break on repaying the loan principal, the province announced Friday. Eligible producers can apply to have the principal payment extended for one year, during which they’ll be required to pay the interest due […] Read more
P.E.I. closes cash tap for NOFG pork plant
The Prince Edward Island government announced Thursday it would withhold all further public assistance from the Natural Organic Food Group (NOFG) hog plant at Charlottetown and bring in the provincial Auditor General to examine the province’s relationship to the plant. “Given some of the concerns that have been raised, it is simply no longer responsible […] Read more
Feds to scrap bond requirement for grain companies
Grain companies will no longer have to post bonds or letters of credit as security to cover unpaid purchases of Prairie farmers’ grain, under federal government proposals to “modernize” the Canadian Grain Commission. Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on Thursday announced this and other proposed changes, in tandem with the introduction of new amendments to […] Read more
Sask. organic group’s GMO suit shut down
The Supreme Court of Canada won’t hear an appeal from two Saskatchewan farmers looking to mount a class-action suit against Monsanto Canada and Bayer CropScience over genetically modified (GM) canola. The denial of leave to appeal by Canada’s top court effectively shuts down the case in its present form, as filed by farmers Larry Hoffman […] Read more
Novozymes seals Philom Bios deal
Danish enzyme firm Novozymes has completed its $25.6 million cash deal to buy a controlling stake in Saskatoon inoculant maker Philom Bios. The deal gives Philom Bios access to Novozymes’ resources and technology, more opportunities for growth and a “larger entryway” into U.S. and international ag markets, Novozymes said in a release Thursday. Philom Bios […] Read more
Sask. feeder associations can claim APP interest rebate
Cattle producers in feeder associations in Saskatchewan can now apply for rebates of interest paid through the Advance Payments Program (APP). Saskatchewan Agriculture announced this week it had signed an agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to allow the provincial Livestock Loan Guarantee (LLG) program to administer the interest-only portion of the federal APP in […] Read more
Tories’ CWB appeal goes to court Feb. 26
Prairie barley growers and end users should soon get the market certainty they need to make decisions in time for the next crop year starting Aug. 1, 2008, federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said Wednesday. The Federal Court of Appeal has confirmed it will hear on Feb. 26, 2008 the government’s appeal of a July […] Read more
Hog farmers call for emergency loans before Christmas
Canada’s governments must offer their hog producers some assurance that emergency loans will be available to them before Christmas, the Canadian Pork Council said Wednesday. The council, at a press conference Wednesday morning in Ottawa, said hog producers are requesting loans, repayable with interest, as opposed to grants or any kind of handout. “We are […] Read more
Canadian Cattlemen Presents: Depth of Field
