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
SARM Urges Flood Safety Across SK Thursday, May 7, 2026 The Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM) is urging residents to focus on flood safety as widespread flooding continues to affect many parts of the province. Several rural and local communities are facing serious challenges as water levelsrise,and access routes are... Read this article online
Industry group calling on Ottawa to reverse planned AAFC cuts Thursday, May 7, 2026 An ag industry organization is calling on the federal government to implement the recommendations the House ag committee tabled in a report on the planned cuts to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). “These recommendations confirm what SeedChange — alongside farmers, scientists, and... Read this article online
Staying informed, and safe, during wildfire season Thursday, May 7, 2026 It is wildfire season in Canada. The Canadian Wildland Fire Information System (CWFIS) has already counted 719 fires in 2026. As of May 7, there are 66 active wildfires with one in B.C. deemed out of control. Wildfires can be dangerous to farm operations as they put people,... Read this article online
Grain Bin Emergencies Turn Deadly in Seconds, but Training Can Save Lives Thursday, May 7, 2026 Would you know what to do if someone you loved was trapped in a grain bin? The reality is sobering. Compared to a flowing mass of grain, a person is only several bushels in volume. When grain begins moving, escape becomes nearly impossible. In most cases of full grain engulfment,... Read this article online
Applications open for GFO 2026 Legacy Scholarship Thursday, May 7, 2026 Applications are now open for the 2026 Grain Farmers of Ontario , an annual program designed to support students pursuing post‑secondary education that contributes to the future of the province’s grain and agri‑food industries. Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) represents 28,000... Read this article online