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
BC Boosts Poultry Farm Disease Defense Thursday, June 11, 2026 The Government of British Columbia is continuing its efforts to support poultry farmers and protect the province’s food supply. Through the Novel Tools and Technologies Program, poultry producers are receiving financial help to upgrade their barns and reduce the risk of avian... Read this article online
Harry Siemens Honored for Farm Reporting Thursday, June 11, 2026 Veteran agricultural journalist Harry Siemens has been honored with the North American Farm Reporting Excellence Award. This award recognizes his more than 50 years of service in agricultural communication across Canada and North America. The award was created by well-known U.S. farm... Read this article online
CANZA Marketplace available for farmers Thursday, June 11, 2026 A new online resource is available for farmers looking to capitalize on climate-conscious farming practices. “The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food’s (CANZA) Marketplace is a long-term national effort to recognize and reward farmers for their stewardship efforts on their farms,”... Read this article online
Farm in the Dell looking to expand to Yorkton, Sask. Wednesday, June 10, 2026 An organization that works with adults in rural and farm settings is looking to expand its reach in Saskatchewan. “Farm in the Dell is a non-profit organization, and we support people with intellectual disabilities who live and work on the farm,” Lynette Zacharias, executive director of... Read this article online
Saskatchewan Students Gain Hands-On Farm Learning Wednesday, June 10, 2026 Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan and Chicken Farmers of Saskatchewan have announced a new three-year partnership to improve agriculture education for young people across the province. The initiative focuses on providing hands-on learning experiences to help students understand... Read this article online