Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

HOG LOANS DO NOT WORK

I am wondering if I am the only one that has realized that the government backed loans are not going to work for the vast majority of hog producers. What needs to be done to get our governments to understand the real issues that are affecting this industry at this time. What do we need to do to unite our industry and get everyone fighting for our cause before there is nothing left to fight for. Comments please.

Views: 842

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by kevin brady on November 17, 2009 at 4:02am
Nothing works without higher prices More loans only dig the industry in deeper unless we have a statagy toget more $ per head. Can we build a Ontario industry without a made in Onraio premium or goverment cost of production insurance.
Permalink Reply by rein minnema on November 17, 2009 at 5:01pm
How about we study the new proposed Quebec pork board structure.
Permalink Reply by pigsrgr8 on November 18, 2009 at 3:25am
Is there any information on the Quebec proposal?
Permalink Reply by Wayne Black on November 19, 2009 at 3:53am
Right from the start of this "loan program" we have stated that this is the wrong direction. If you can afford the loan go to the bank. If you can not afford the loan - you are the person that needs help financially. Already stretched to the max on operating loans and mortgages - then being told here is another loan... imagine my first response. Something about nutrient management.
From October 14th Huron Expositor "But Black says many pork producers are already over-extended with loans and mortgages and the idea of paying back another loan may turn them off the program. "
In the past month I have seen the hog industry come together with other sectors like never in recent history. Hopefully in the next couple weeks we will see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Permalink Reply by pigsrgr8 on November 25, 2009 at 9:33am
Maybe we need a rock star to sing a song like Neil Young's Farmer's Song.

Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on November 27, 2009 at 4:44am
I had this news sent to me on the program.

Joe




Canadian Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program Applications Picking Up

Farmscape for November 26, 2009 (Episode 3361)

Farm Credit Canada reports the pace of applications for loans under the new Canadian Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program is picking up.

The Loan Loss Reserve Program is part of a three tier Canadian pork industry restructuring plan.

It provides participating financial institutions guarantees on loans to allow producers to restructure short term debt.

Farm Credit Canada senior vice president portfolio and credit risk Remi Lemoine says it's still too early to estimate how many producers will qualify.


Clip-Farm Credit Canada-Remi Lemoine:
The primary thing we're looking at is the longer term viability, is there ability to pay back the debt.

We're not as interested in things like security given the backing provided by the federal government but one of the criteria is that there has to be some hope of success even with the program and so basically it's a longer term analysis of the cash flow.

We're trying to take a longer term look at the prices and the costs.

We can't base it on what's happened over the past couple of years so, based on that criteria, we've been starting to move the applications through.

For our existing customers it doesn't take that much time to get it out the door because most of their legal and administration stuff is set up.

We're getting quite a few new customers from other financial institutions applying and in those cases we're starting from scratch and there's legal work to do and that sort of thing but it'll go as quick as we can get it out.


Lemoine says interest rates are based on past performance and repayment history and have ranged from three and a quarter to as high as seven percent averaging from four to five percent.

He points out, even prior to the introduction of the new program, FCC had been working with clients in the pork industry and over the past two years had adjusted payment schedules on about 20 percent of existing loans.

For Farmscape.Ca, I'm Bruce Cochrane.

*Farmscape is a presentation of Sask Pork and Manitoba Pork Council
Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on December 18, 2009 at 5:21am
Loan Loss Reserve Program Loan Uptake Slow

Farmscape for December 17, 2009 (Episode 3377)

The Canadian Pork Council reports uptake of loans under the Canadian Hog Industry Loan Loss Reserve Program has been slow.

The Loan Loss Reserve Program, offered through Canada's financial institutions, is part of a federal hog industry restructuring plan and allows producers to consolidate and extend repayment of existing debt.

The Canadian Pork Council is surveying producers about their experiences with the program.

CPC public relations manager Gary Stordy reports there is still a lot of unanswered questions.


Clip-Gary Stordy-Canadian Pork Council:
At the end of the day it appears that this program, even though it was discussed and announced some time ago, the actual implementation of the program may not be as fast as we expect.

Frankly we are hearing, we can't substantiate this, is that producers are not asking for the program and that's concerning.

We'd like to get a handle on that.

We'd like to know, if that's the case, why aren't they asking for the program?

We're getting a number of feedback from the banks that this is a good program, it's going to work, just give it some time.

The difficulty we have is that frankly time might not be an option for some producers who have to make decisions and at the same token if producers are not asking for the program or talking to their financial institutions about the program that has to be dealt with also.

What we are getting back as some information is that there's some concerns about eligibility, certainly equity questions, whether producers have enough equity may be a barrier.

We would encourage producers to, frankly, negotiate with the financial institutions regarding the interest rates and work with the program.
Permalink Reply by rein minnema on December 18, 2009 at 12:33pm
First of all I want to say we have a good home based industry with high standards. However when situations like the H1N1 come around the corner at a time when the markets was to improve everything falls in pieces.We have the high $$ we have interprovincial trade issues,on top of that a declining meat consumption.Pressure on the feed prices related to the green energy policies. This all together is the root of our problem and sure is creating a mess and I would say a crisis. A situation that has all the reason to call for help. As farmers feeding the world, the world has a duty to look after their farmers. It is for these reason that I find the position our provincial and federal elected officials have taken unacceptable. It seems to be that the auto motive industry has more cloud than the people feeding the people and that is a problem. to overcome this we have to unite we need to stand together we need a united strong structured pork board.
Permalink Reply by Joe Dales on December 26, 2009 at 1:03pm
This was posted by another person in the blog area....it belongs here in the chat discussions. Thanks, Joe

I understand that the CPC is frustrated about the fact that this program is not flying,
My understanding is from what I hear is that the industry is cash strapped and and does not need more loans after all these years of losses.
Permalink Reply by rein minnema on December 29, 2009 at 3:41pm
I agree the industry is Cash strapped and new loans are not The Answer.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Alberta Crops Still Above Average, But Moisture Extremes Mean Farmers Can Expect Two Different Harvest Stories

Provincial crop ratings remain stronger than the five-year average, but Alberta farmers are dealing with a sharp regional split: declining moisture in the South and Central regions and persistent wet conditions farther north. Alberta’s 2026 crop is still looking comparatively strong heading into August, but the provincial average masks very different conditions from one end of the province to the other. As of Aug. 4, 58.1 per cent of Alberta’s major crops were rated in good-to-excellent condition. That is well above the five-year average of 42.7 per cent and close to the 10-year average of 53.9 per cent. At the same time, the provincial rating slipped from 60.3 per cent a week earlier, reflecting growing pressure in several regions. The bigger story for farmers is the province’s moisture divide. Parts of southern and central Alberta continue to dry out, with soil moisture reserves declining. In the North East, North West and Peace regions, producers are facing almost the opposite p

Survey-Based Yield Estimates Show Mixed Outlook for 2026 U.S. Corn, Soybean Crops

The USDA’s first survey-based yield estimates of the season point to a lower average U.S. corn yield in 2026 but only a modest decline for soybeans, with wide differences among major producing states. In its August crop production estimates released Wednesday, the USDA pegged the national corn yield at 180.7 bu/acre, down from 186.5 bu in 2025. The U.S. soybean yield was forecast at 52.7 bu/acre, just below last year’s 53 bu. In the biggest Corn Belt states, Iowa’s 2026 corn yield is estimated at 216 bu/acre, up 6 bu from 210 last year. Illinois is projected at 212 bu/acre, down 2 bu from 214. Closer to the Great Lakes, Michigan slipped to 174 bu/acre from 178, while Ohio posted a notable increase to 195 bu from 185. Meanwhile, the average North Dakota corn yield is forecast at 142 bu/acre, down sharply from 158 last year. Despite Iowa’s higher yield, lower harvested acreage is expected to pull state corn production down slightly to 2.765 billion bu, a decline of less than 1% fro

USDA Forecasts Smaller U.S. Durum, Spring Wheat Crops

U.S. wheat production is headed for a steep year-over-year decline in 2026, with the USDA forecasting total output at just 1.53 billion bu, down 23% from 2025 and the lowest since 1970. Most of the decline is in winter wheat – with output now forecast at roughly 990 million bu, down about 29% on the year. However, Wednesday's USDA crop production report pared the 2026 U.S. durum and other spring wheat estimates as well. The drop in the durum estimate was particularly steep. The USDA now forecasts this year's American crop at 66.4 million bu, down 6% from its July estimate and 23% below last year. Following a review of acreage data, USDA reduced estimated durum planted area to 1.78 million acres, down 3% from the previous acreage estimate and 19% from 2025. Harvested area is forecast at 1.73 million acres, also 19% below last year. At the same time, the national durum yield was reduced to 38.4 bu/acre, down 1.5 bu from the July forecast and 2.2 bu from 2025. Farmers in North Dak

Saskatchewan Harvest Progress Stalls

Harvest stalled across Saskatchewan this past week as cooler weather slowed field operations, leaving just 2% of the provincial crop in the bin as of Monday, unchanged from the previous week. Progress remains behind both the five-year average of 6% and the 10-year average of 5%, although it is slightly ahead of last year’s 1%. According to Thursday's weekly provincial crop report, harvest activity continues to be concentrated in winter cereals, early seeded pulses and a few spring cereal crops, while much of the province’s crop is still developing. The Southwest remains furthest advanced at 5% harvested, followed by the Southeast and East-Central regions at 1%. Harvest has not yet begun in the West-Central, Northeast, or Northwest regions. Among individual crops, fall rye was 27% harvested and winter wheat 18% complete. Barley was at 4% harvested as of Monday, with oats at 2%. Spring wheat harvest remains negligible, while field peas are 5% complete and lentils 2%. Canola, soyb

On the Road with 4-H Alberta: 2026 Ag Next Gen Tour

Follow 12 4-H Alberta members as they spend 10 days exploring agriculture across central and southern Alberta during the 2026 4-H Ag Next Gen Tour. Day One | July 13 Tour Highlights Began the tour at the Alberta 4-H Centre Visited Colin Rice Feedlot and learned about beef production Took part in an interactive producer journey challenge at AFSC’s Lacombe Central Office Explored lending, insurance, claims and financial processing through hands-on activities Visited Pleasant Valley Oil Mills to learn about value-added agriculture Travelled to Rochon Sands Provincial Park for the evening Ag in action at AFSC Participants visited AFSC’s Lacombe Central Office for an interactive experience that followed the journey of a producer. Working in teams, participants moved through a series of stations focused on lending, insurance, claims and financial processing. Along the way, they worked through real-world scenarios and learned how different parts of AFSC support producers through every st

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service