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
Cultivator’s 250 by 2050 Startup Growth Plan Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Cultivator powered by Conexus has set an ambitious goal to support 250 Saskatchewan companies in reaching $1 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) by 2050. This initiative builds on its success since 2019, during which 15 companies in its incubator program have reached this... Read this article online
New AgWest Locations in Weyburn and Yorkton Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Farming can be a challenging. With unpredictable weather, long working hours, and ever-changing demands, farmers in Saskatchewan need dependable equipment, innovative technology, and reliable support to stay ahead. AgWest is excited to announce its expansion into Weyburn and... Read this article online
Canadian Grain Commission issues multiple licenses Tuesday, February 4, 2025 Four grain handlers in Western Canada received Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) licenses to begin 2025. On Jan. 1, the CGC provided Grain Millers Canada Corp. with a primary elevator license for its location in Delisle, Sask. This type of license goes to “an operator of an elevator... Read this article online
Manitoba Drops to F in CFIB Red Tape Report Tuesday, February 4, 2025 “While some governments have made progress this year, others have fallen behind. Manitoba, for example, took a colossal step backwards after it eliminated its Red Tape Accountability Act, dropping from a near best-in-class B+ in 2023 to an F this year,” said SeoRhin Yoo, a senior policy... Read this article online
New mental health hotline for Cdn. ag industry Tuesday, February 4, 2025 People in Canadian ag requiring specific mental health support for farmers have a new resource available to them. The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW) announced the launch of the free National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line. Anyone in Canadian ag, whether a... Read this article online