Uncollectible loans and unsustainable agriculture Sunday, April 3, 2011 The Nova Scotia government wrote off $16.2 million in bad loans from 2008. The loans included more than $1 million in uncollectible student loans, and smaller amounts for pharmacare premiums and unpaid fees. But by far the majority of the uncollectible loans had been made by the Nova Scotia agriculture department. "This unusually high amount is due to defaulted hog loan accounts under the Farm Loan Board," said a ministry of finance press release."For many years, hog farming in Nova Scotia was heavily subsidized by government," the release went on. "When government support was discontinued in 2007-08, many hog farmers were unable to sustain their business due to low pork prices and rising production costs."The Canadian Pork Council's public relations manager, Gary Stordy, says the Nova Scotia industry has collapsed. There are six pig farms left, compared to more than 80 four years ago.Many provinces offer loans to producers of various commodities, Stordy says. Another pork example is Big Sky Farms Inc. in Saskatchewan. The province now has a stake in the embattled company. BP Inconsistent reports on red meat The 'bacon bubble' that didn't burst
North American Agriculture Leaders Back USMCA and Long-Term Trade Stability Monday, October 5, 2026 Agriculture officials from the United States,Canada, and Mexico are reinforcing their support for a stable and predictable North American trade environment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration to strengthen rural economies and agricultural supply chains. That message emerged from... Read this article online
Canada Boosts Swine Research Innovation Monday, October 5, 2026 Canada's pork industry is set to benefit from a major research funding initiative aimed at solving key challenges and creating new opportunities for growth. Swine Innovation Porc (SIP), with support from the Pork Promotion and Research Agency (PPRA), has launched the Advancing Swine Research... Read this article online
New Brunswick Farm's Record Gourd Tunnel Draws National Attention Monday, October 5, 2026 A New Brunswick farm is attracting attention from across Canada after creating what is being described as the world's longest gourd tunnel, transforming a traditional crop into an eye-catching attraction that is drawing visitors to the countryside. Located in Scotch Settlement, New... Read this article online
Solar Farms Help Protect Pollinators and Ecosystems Monday, October 5, 2026 Solar energy facilities can do more than generate electricity. The land between and around photovoltaic panels can also be managed to support pollinators, improve environmental conditions, and provide additional benefits for nearby farms and communities. Penn State Extension reports... Read this article online
Soybean Harvest Tips to Improve Farm Returns Monday, October 5, 2026 Soybean producers have spent months preparing for harvest, managing everything from planting and crop protection to field scouting and changing weather conditions. Once harvest begins, however, there are still opportunities to protect the value of the crop by reducing losses in the... Read this article online