FCC targets young farmers with loan program Saturday, April 14, 2012 by BETTER FARMING STAFFOntario and Quebec’s Canadian Young Farmers Forum representative says a new Farm Credit Canada loan program with a $500,000 ceiling is a “great initiative” that recognizes “young farmers are vital to the success of agriculture in the future.”Jessica Burgess, 23, from Bruce County, says she’d like to eventually take over the family dairy operation but with the costs of quota and land prices “I don’t know if it’s going to be viable for myself to do that as an individual.” The young farmer loan would help; although she hasn’t seen what the requirements are yet so doesn’t know if she would qualify.But she’s pleased to see a loan in place with such a high ceiling. “They do realize agriculture is getting more expensive to invest in.” A federal news release issued Thursday, says the $500 million loan program offers people 18 to 39 who qualify, loans of up to $500,000 to buy or improve farmland and buildings. Interest rates are variable at prime plus 0.5 per cent and there are special fixed rates. As well, there are no loan processing fees.Clem Samson, FCC’s vice president of western operations, says the loan program is available now. He says it is designed to encourage younger people to move into agriculture.Young farmers, typically defined as less than 40 years of age, are involved in the formative years of an operation, Samson says. “As people build equity and so on it can be more difficult to get financing moving forward,” he says. “So what we thought we’d do is come about with a product that was less expensive fee-wise and so on and then also a rate that was lower than the normal industry would give out.”The news release says about 16 per cent of Canadian producers fall into the younger farmer category according to the 2006 Census. BF Pigeon King case goes to preliminary inquiry Delhi research station chopped in federal budget cutbacks
Be ready for your next flat tire Friday, May 30, 2025 By Braxten Breen Farms.com Intern The Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack is a three-in-one tool - a tire jack -- that can also be used as a post block or a wheel chock. Its main purpose is to help change tires on trailers, and this cool tool is made in the USA. It is an innovative Tire Jack... Read this article online
An Ontario Foodbelt? Two MPPs want to see it happen Friday, May 30, 2025 Ontario has a Greenbelt and a Whitebelt, and if two MPPs are successful with a piece of legislation the province’s future will include a Foodbelt. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner (Guelph) and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Haldimand-Norfolk) tabled Bill 21, the Protect Our... Read this article online
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Thursday, May 29, 2025 Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board. Yaghi replaces Franco Naccarato from Meat and... Read this article online
Canadian Farm Income Sees Sharp Decline Thursday, May 29, 2025 In 2024, Canadian farmers experienced a significant financial setback, with realized net income dropping by $3.3 billion, or 25.9%, to $9.4 billion according to Statistics Canada. This marks the steepest percentage decrease since 2018. When cannabis is excluded, the drop stands at... Read this article online
Did you Know you can Experience IPM 2025 in the Comfort of Your RV? Thursday, May 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is making a grand return to Niagara this fall for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can now stay close to the excitement by booking a spot at the official IPM 2025 RV Park. Located just steps away from the main action, the... Read this article online