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
New Phobos™ FC360 Fungicide Boosts Crop Protection Thursday, March 12, 2026 ViveCrop Protection has announced the Canadian registration ofPhobos™FC360, a new foliar fungicide developed to provide stronger disease protection and improved on-leaf performance for farmers. The product will be available for growers across Canada beginning in the 2026 growing... Read this article online
Farm Innovators and Ag Industry Leaders Gathering in Regina Next Week -- Will you be there? Thursday, March 12, 2026 Canada’s Farm Showin Regina, Saskatchewan, presented by Bunge, will take place from March 17 to March 19, 2026, bringing together farmers, innovators and agriculture leaders for three days focused on the future of farming. The event will be held at the Avana Centre and the Bunge... Read this article online
Alberta RCMP asking for help identifying vehicle Thursday, March 12, 2026 Parkland RCMP is appealing to the public related to a crime on the property of an Alberta ag society. Police say suspects drove a gold or silver GMC Sierra onto the Rich Valley Agricultural Society’s property and drove through the outbuilding’s bay door on March 10 between 2:00 and 2:45... Read this article online
Senators examine Canada’s food system firsthand during southwestern Ontario fact finding mission Thursday, March 12, 2026 A delegation of Canadian senators conducted a full day fact finding mission on Friday, March 6, 2026, visiting several major food system organizations and research facilities across Southwestern Ontario. The tour supported the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry’s ongoing... Read this article online
Farmers Balance Costs and Technology Investments - Tractor Sales Down Wednesday, March 11, 2026 Sales of agricultural tractors and combines in the United States and Canada delivered a mixed performance in February, highlighting how farmers are adapting their purchasing decisions amid shifting commodity markets, input costs, and economic conditions. While tractor sales softened... Read this article online