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
FCC's New 6,000-Acre Innovation Farm in Manitoba Thursday, July 17, 2025 Farm Credit Canada (FCC) is enhancing its Innovation Farm Network to support Canadian farmers and foster agricultural innovation. The network has expanded by adding a 6,000-acre farm in MacGregor, Manitoba, with 2,600 acres dedicated to growing potatoes. This is the first time a potato... Read this article online
North American Pork Leaders Focus on Health Thursday, July 17, 2025 Leaders from the Canadian Pork Council (CPC), the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) from the United States, and the Mexican Pork Producer Organization (OPORMEX) recently gathered at a trilateral meeting in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. The goal was to discuss key issues related to... Read this article online
Canadian Pork Council rejoins Canadian Federation of Agriculture Thursday, July 17, 2025 The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) has a new old member. The Canadian Pork Council (CPC) has rejoined the national organization, bringing the total number of CFA members to 28. The pork producer group withdrew from the CFA in 2013 over trade policies. “We are unwilling to... Read this article online
Celebrate Farming with Alberta Open Farm Days 2025 Thursday, July 17, 2025 Alberta Open Farm Days returns on August 16 and 17, 2025, inviting Albertans to explore the heart of agriculture and rural tourism. This annual event connects people with local farmers and food producers, offering a chance to learn about farm life and food production. Now in its 13th... Read this article online
Ag buildings among Manitoba’s most endangered structures Thursday, July 17, 2025 Two buildings related to Manitoba’s ag history are among the most endangered in the province. The Scallion Granary and the Lake of the Woods Grain Elevator appear on the Manitoba Historical Society’s list of the Top 10 Endangered Structures for 2025. The list is made up of... Read this article online