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
PEI Dairy Leader Wins Atlantic COYF Title Monday, August 3, 2026 Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) has named Deanna Doctor of Kensington, Prince Edward Island, as the 2026 Atlantic Regionalhonouree. The recognition celebrates her achievements in dairy farming, leadership, and commitment to agricultural innovation. Over the past decade, Deanna... Read this article online
Rural Albertans wanted for grief study Friday, July 31, 2026 Researchers from the University of Alberta are looking to connect with rural Albertans who’ve dealt with grief related to substance use. “What we’ve been hearing from our past research and work in the community is there’s a lot of substance use related grief,” Holly Mathias, a human... Read this article online
Preparing for Farming Uncertainty Friday, July 31, 2026 Farm Management Canada has introduced a new report that proposes a National Strategy for Education and Communication on Agricultural Risk Management, aimed at improving how Canadian producers and agricultural service providers understand and use the wide range of risk management programs, tools... Read this article online
Central Ontario FS Expands Grain Network with Acquisition of Haley's Elevator in Burford Friday, July 31, 2026 Central Ontario FS is strengthening its presence in southwestern Ontario after signing a purchase agreement to acquire Haley's Elevator Inc., a long-established grain handling facility located in Burford. The acquisition marks another step in the growth of the company's grain elevator... Read this article online
Ag Union concerned about MOU related to Sask. research farms Thursday, July 30, 2026 The union representing agriculture workers in the public sector is concerned an MOU to keep two research farms in Saskatchewan open will ultimately result in job losses. The Agriculture Union, which represents more than 770 workers in federal agencies like the Canadian Food Inspection... Read this article online