Fewer farmers are expected to apply for farm aid this year.
Ellen Funk, who speaks for the Canadian Farm Income Program, said administrators expect about 25,000 applications from Saskatchewan and Manitoba this year, down from the 35,000 Agricultural Income Disaster Assistance forms they processed last year.
She said accountants have indicated fewer farmers will apply, which could be because of problems with AIDA.
The program was criticized for its cumbersome application forms, lengthy processing times and for not helping those who needed it most.
A few AIDA claims are still being wrapped up.
Read Also
Carberry field day looks for agriculture solutions
Manitoba farmers explored research solutions for resilient crops, perpetual agronomic issues and new kinds of agricultural products at a field day at the Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre in Carberry on Aug. 6.
But Funk said another reason is that farmers may know more about how disaster assistance programs work and if they will qualify.
“Producers are becoming more familiar with this type of program after two years,” she said.
“They can decide whether to apply.”
She said she hoped more producers would receive assistance under the new program.
Applications are coming in and cheques are already in the mail.
“We’ ve had about 380 (applications) from Saskatchewan so far,” she said on June 11.
Manitoba farmers have submitted about 330 forms. Alberta administers the program on its own.
Funk encouraged producers to get their forms in as soon as possible, even though the deadline is Oct. 1.
“We’ re hoping that the majority of applications will come in before Sept. 1.”
The offices are typically flooded with applications right at deadline, which makes it difficult to process them quickly.
“We have a service standard of 90 days.”
She reminded farmers that CFIP requires an application form. There is some confusion about the need for an application form because the Canada-Saskatchewan Adjustment Program and Canada-Manitoba Adjustment Program payments are being paid now.
These programs don’ t require applications. Farmers only have to return declarations sent to them from their crop insurance corporations to receive payments.
The Saskatchewan adjustment program paid out $64 million as of June 11, while the Manitoba program paid out $54 million as of June 15.
CFIP information sessions are being held in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Seminars are also planned for June 20-22 at the Western Canada Farm Progress Show in Regina.
