Application deadlines are approaching for federal provincial farm programs.
The AgriInvest and AgriStability portions of Growing Forward are both starting this year.
The federal government is providing $600 million to launch the AgriInvest accounts, which will help producers cover small margin declines.
Producers who have been involved in similar programs in the past won’t have to apply and have already received letters explaining the program and how much of the $600 million they will receive. Farmers who needed to apply had until April 14 to do so.
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Once farmers receive their letters they have until June 30 to respond and tell the federal government if they want to keep the money on deposit or withdraw it.
As of last week, about 80,000 producers had already responded to their notices, said spokesperson Ellen Funk.
A total of $305 million has been either deposited into farmers’ accounts or paid to them through withdrawals. AgriStability, which replaces the Canadian Agricultural Income Stabilization program, will cover larger declines. The deadline to enrol is April 30.
Producers who participated in the 2007 program will automatically receive enrolment notices for 2008 and must respond to the notice and submit their fee by April 30. Late fees are subject to interest penalties.
New farmers or those who were not previously enrolled will have to apply by the deadline.
Producers in all provinces except Quebec should contact AgriInvest at 866-367-8506 with any questions.
Producers in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba can call the same number with AgriStability queries. Alberta producers should call the Agriculture Financial Services Corp. at 877-744-7900.
