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
5,000 bushels of grain stolen from Sask. farm Thursday, May 1, 2025 Saskatchewan RCMP is reminding producers to protect their farms after thieves made off with grain. An April 30 release from the Coronach detachment states thieves stole about 5,000 bushels of grain from storage bins on a farm near Ogema, Sask. That’s approximately the capacity of the... Read this article online
Holland Marsh Celebrates 100 Years of Agricultural Excellence Thursday, May 1, 2025 Celebrating a century of farming, community, and natural heritage in Ontario’s “Salad Bowl” 2025 marks a significant milestone for the town of Bradford West Gwillimbury as it celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Holland Marsh—a region renowned for its rich soil, vibrant farming... Read this article online
FCC Predicts Canadian Farmers will Wait to Buy New Farm Equipment Thursday, May 1, 2025 This year may not be the year to buy a brand-new John Deere X Series combine. No matter how great it would be to raise harvest capacity by 45 percent, Canadian farmers may put off their purchase until later. Rising farm equipment prices due to trade disruptions will alter farmers'... Read this article online
Canada Post strike possible in May Wednesday, April 30, 2025 Canadians could experience a disruption in Canada Post services in May. Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have agreed to resume contract negotiations this week. The two parties last sat around the bargaining table in March for mediated talks that concluded... Read this article online
Canadian Pork Council encourages hog producers to order a 4-month supply of ear tags Wednesday, April 30, 2025 The national postal strike is temporarily on hold until May 22, 2025, but disruptions may resume immediately afterward, warns the Canadian Pork Council. Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) have re-entered negotiations, assisted by a mediator, following a... Read this article online