Ontario beef farmers receive extension for repaying federal advance payment loans Tuesday, May 13, 2014 by JIM ALGIE Recent adjustments to extend the repayment period for federal advance payment loans should help Ontario cattle farmers, a recent Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) newsletter says. Administered by the Guelph-based, Agricultural Credit Corporation, the federal advance payments program provides growers with up to $400,000 in operating capital. The first $100,000 of such loans is free of interest cost with the remaining balance up to $300,000 at bank prime rates. Changes announced March 19 include a single, stream-lined, application process, quicker approvals and new repayment rules for cattle farmers with constant inventory. A BFO newsletter published last Friday says “advances can now be repaid up to a year after issuance rather than upon the sale of cattle.” The changes followed recommendations by BFO, said the newsletter article that was attributed to that organization’s communications manager LeaAnne Wuermli. It means farmers “can realize more savings by extending their interest-free portion of the loan to a full year versus paying back on their first sales of cattle,” the newsletter says. The program for cattle farmers opens annually, April 1, and remains open to applications between April and the following March. Loans are available on current inventory held for sale during the current program year. Advance loans for livestock require that borrowers be enrolled in the federal Agristability program which provides insurance against large margin declines. Agricultural Credit Corporation (ACC) is a not-for-profit farm organization formed in 1992 by a coalition of farm organizations now including 19 producer groups. Since it began, the corporation has loaned more than $4 billion to Canadian farmers, a statement on the ACC website says. BF Few details available about impact on Ontario farmers of most recent food processing plant closure Projects receive Greenbelt funding
Snap Beans are the Fastest-Growing Vegetable Crop in Canada? Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Fresh yellow and green bean season is officially underway across Ontario and Quebec, bringing one of Canada's most popular summer vegetables to grocery stores and farmers' markets. Harvest typically begins in July and continues through early fall, with both provinces serving as... Read this article online
Minnesota Wildfires Threaten Agriculture as Governor Walz Mobilizes National Guard Monday, July 13, 2026 Farmers across Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ontario and Manitoba are closely monitoring a growing wildfire situation in northern Minnesota after Governor Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and mobilized the Minnesota National Guard to assist firefighting efforts. The decision... Read this article online
Gordie Howe International Bridge Could Boost Canadian Agriculture Through Faster Trade and Lower Costs Monday, July 13, 2026 The upcoming opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., could provide significant long-term benefits for Canada's agriculture and agri-food sectors. As announced last week, it is scheduled to open on July 27, 2026. The six-lane... Read this article online
Ontario Cherries are Ready to Eat Monday, July 13, 2026 Ontario Cherry Season Begins Across Key Fruit-Growing Regions Ontario's cherry season is officially underway, bringing one of the province's mostanticipatedsummer fruits to farm markets, grocery stores, and roadside stands. Harvest activity typically begins in July and continues through... Read this article online
CFIA Proposes Changes to Expand Interprovincial Meat Movement Friday, July 10, 2026 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing temporary regulatory changes aimed at improving interprovincial trade of red meat while supporting food security and strengthening Canada's food system. The proposed amendments to the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations would... Read this article online