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Ontario pork producers are encouraged to explore the available financial assistance programs designed to support their operations. These programs provide aid in various aspects, from managing risks to facility enhancements and sustainable practices. By tapping into these opportunities, producers can access crucial funding that can contribute to the growth and success of their operations.
The Advance Payments Program (APP) provides producers with a cash advance on the value of their agricultural products during a specified period. The APP is a federal financial loan guarantee program that gives producers easier access to credit through cash advances.
In March 2025, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food announced that the Advance Payments Program (APP) interest-free limit will be set at $250,000 for the 2025 program year. This is the portion of advances on which the Government of Canada pays the interest on behalf of producers. The change will give producers access to additional cash flow and interest savings to help cover costs until they sell their products.
Visit Agriculture Credit Corporation (ACC) for more information about the APP or call ACC toll-free at 1-888-278-8807 to process an application over the phone.
The Commodity Loan Program was developed to assist Ontario farmers in financing their crop planting, cultivating, and harvesting expenses. This program allows producers access to lower cost financing (prime rates) to supplement cash flow throughout the year, while paying less interest. Generally funding is available beginning in December each year and is dependent on what you are producing in the current year.
The program is managed by Agriculture Credit Corporation(ACC)with eligibility to receive up to $750,000 at Prime Interest Rate per year and up to 22 months for repayment.
Visit Agriculture Credit Corporation for more information about the CLP or call ACC toll-free at 1-888-278-8807 to process an application over the phone.
This program protects producers from large declines in their farming income due to market conditions, production loss or increased costs of production. It is based on every farm’s individual situation over the whole farm.
The program generates a payment when your production margin is less than 70 per cent of your reference margin which is calculated using the Olympic average of production margins from the previous five years. If your production margin falls below your payment trigger, AgriStability will pay you 70 per cent of the difference between your production margin and your payment trigger.
There is the ability to apply for an interim payment:
In Ontario, AgriStability is delivered by Agricorp. Visit Agricorp for more information or call 1-877-275-1380.
Ontario’s Risk Management Program (RMP) helps producers manage risks beyond their control, like fluctuating costs and market prices. RMP for livestock was designed in consultation with representatives of the cattle, hog, sheep and veal industry in Ontario. RMP for livestock works like insurance to help Ontario producers offset losses caused by fluctuating commodity prices and production costs. Participants pay premiums based on their insured production and their chosen coverage level.
Upcoming deadlines for 2023 program year if you are already enrolled:
The payouts from RMP occur as follows:
The program is delivered by Agricorp. For more information visit Agricorp or call 1-888-247-4999.
Hedging Programs are risk management strategies commonly used in the pork industry to mitigate the potential negative effects of price volatility. A producer initiates the hedge by selling futures contracts to cover the livestock they plan to sell, and when the hogs are ready for the market, they buy back the short futures contracts and simultaneously sell the hogs in the cash market.
These programs are offered through Ontario Pork, the National Bank of Canada, and RBC Dominion Securities Inc.
For more information:
Visit Forward Pricing – Ontario Pork or call 1-800-862-9001.
Visit Commodity Swaps – National Bank of Canada or call 1-844-394-4556.
Visit Hedging with Lean Hogs Futures – RBC Dominion Securities Inc. or call 1-866-989-0997.
These financial programs are strategically tailored to provide producers with vital funding that can contribute to the growth and success of their operations. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to apply to these funding programs and pave the way to a more prosperous tomorrow.
The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) is a new $3.5-billion, 5-year agreement (April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2028), between the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector. The agreement includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and $2.5 billion in cost-shared programs and activities funded by federal, provincial and territorial governments.
Sustainable CAP focuses on the 5 key priority areas agreed to in The Guelph Statement:
Ontario-specific funding opportunities can be found at https://www.ontario.ca/page/sustainable-canadian-agricultural-partnership
The Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative (BEI) is a new, cost-share offering that will help farmers, food processors, and other essential farm-supporting agri-food businesses protect their operations against disease, enhance operational resilience and heighten public trust in the food supply system.
This program is being offered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) and will be delivered by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) .
Total funding amounts: Ontario will receive up to $7.5 million in total.
Application intake begins: September 19, 2023
Note that applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis, subject to funding availability.
Further details and application information is available on the Biosecurity Enhancement Initiative page or by calling 1-877-424-1300
Applications timelines:
(Note that all approved projects must be completed by February 1, 2025.)
Total funding amounts: Ontario will receive $1.5 million in total over two years to help improve the removal, handling, and disposal of deadstock across the province.
Further details and application information can be found on the Increasing Deadstock Capacity Initiative page on the Agricultural Adaptation Council website.
This program is being offered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). The cost-share funding initiative will provide opportunities for the deadstock industry to streamline operations and improve accessibility by increasing capacities and establishing new service standards.
Applications timelines:
The purpose of the Agri-Tech Innovation Initiative (the Initiative) is to support growth and productivity through innovation, advanced manufacturing, improved food safety and enhanced cyber security, and energy efficiency within the agri-food sector.
The Initiative will be delivered under three streams, as follows:
Stream 1 – Agri-Tech Innovation (total Eligible Costs per Project less than $100,000)
Stream 2 – Agri-Tech Innovation (total Eligible Costs per Project $100,000 and greater)
Stream 3 – Agri-Tech Energy Costs Savings
AgriRecovery is a framework that allows federal, provincial and territorial governments to work together on a case-by-case basis to assess natural disasters (e.g., extreme weather, disease, pests, etc.) affecting Canadian farmers and respond with targeted, disaster-specific programming when assistance is needed beyond existing programs (AgriStability, AgriInvest, AgriInsurance, CFIA, etc.).
AgriInvest is a self-managed producer-government savings account that allows producers to set money aside which can then be used to help risk manage small income shortfalls, or to make investments to reduce on-farm risks. Producers will continue to have the flexibility to withdraw funds at any time throughout the year.
In Ontario, AgriInvest is delivered by the federal government.
The small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) component of the AgriAssurance program supports businesses to adopt assurance systems and supporting tools to make verifiable claims to meet export market requirements or domestic markets for Indigenous Peoples.
The program aims to:
The AgriAssurance program is delivered through the Sustainable CAP agreement.
The purpose of the Grow Ontario Market Initiative is to support primary producers, processors and industry organizations to grow their business through marketing analysis and planning, new product development and marketing activities to find, develop and capture new or expand domestic or export market opportunities.
You may use the funding to grow your business through:
Funding for the Initiative comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
Got questions about our programs or need a bit more info? Our team’s ready to help—just reach out, and we’re happy to assist!
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