6 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | December 2023 Beyond the Barn FCC ANNOUNCES NEW REPLACEMENT HEIFER PROGRAM Farm Credit Canada (FCC) recently announced their new Replacement Heifer Program. Information on the new program was shared with cow-calf producers in October as a strategy to help them maintain or expand their herds. This announcement comes at a time when the Canadian cattle herd, particularly cows and replacement heifers, has seen a decline in numbers according to Canfax. Beef farmers have also seen high calf prices in 2023, increasing both the opportunity costs of retaining heifers and the purchase price for replacements. “The drought conditions this summer affected a large cattle-producing area in Western Canada and right now ranchers are making decisions about how to best manage their herds,” said Sophie Perreault, FCC’s CFO, in a recent release. The program will offer loans with a maximum two-year period of interest only, and a maximum life of seven years. The loan’s variable interest rates will be capped at prime plus 1.5 per cent, and loan processing fees will be waived. “The Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association appreciates (SSGA) FCC’s response to the current needs of livestock producers,” said Garner Deobald, SSGA president. “This FCC program will help producers rebuild or maintain their herds after consecutive years of drought.” Producers will also benefit from these loans, which may allow more new farmers to enter the industry. “FCC is here to partner with customers in coming up with financial solutions that will continue to support the well-being and longevity of Canadian cattle herds,” Perreault said. “If ranchers have other needs beyond heifer financing, I invite them to contact the FCC team.” BF - Emily Croft The ag community has voiced its support for a federal bill designed to speed up regulatory approvals for important products. Liberal MP Kody Blois introduced Bill C-359 in the House of Commons in October, calling for amendments to the Feeds Act, the Seeds Act and the Pest Control Products Act to bring new products to the Canadian market faster. It would provide 90-day “provisional registration or approval of feeds, seeds and pest control products that are already approved by two or more trusted jurisdictions,” the bill says. Trusted jurisdictions could include the U.S., Australia or the European Union, Blois said while discussing the bill. But ultimately regulatory bodies like Health Canada, the CFIA and PMRA would identify those jurisdictions, he said. “The bill gives farmers timely access to the most innovative products on the world stage today,” Kyle Larkin, executive director of Grain Growers of Canada, told Better Farming. “The issue we face is sometimes products are delayed by the regulatory processes we have in Canada.” And these delays can be years long. Other industry groups joined Grain Growers of Canada in supporting Blois’s bill. The Canadian Cattle Association is “pleased to see the innovative principles of Bill C-359 as it aims to reduce regulatory burdens for farmers and ranchers and ensure our global competitiveness,” Nathan Phinney, president of the CCA, said in a statement. The Canadian Canola Council said “Bill C-359 can help bolster Canada’s competitiveness, address global food security and increase the resilience of Canada’s agricultural sector.” Bill C-359 is considered a private member’s bill – so Blois will be looking for support from other MPs. “I would encourage any member to perhaps take their name to it if they are higher up on the bid,” he said in the House of Commons on Oct. 18. “I will be calling on the government to introduce this legislation in Budget 2024.” BF - Diego Flammini AG INDUSTRY SUPPORTS BILL C-359 Tracy Miller photo
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