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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-03-18, Page 38Popo 22 Financial programs for area farmers are plentiful • from page 21 a maximum of an additional $4,500. For Environmental Protection projects, the grant rate remains at 40 percent but the maximum will be raised by an addi- tional $5,000. B. Ontario Pork Industry Improvement Program (OPIIP) The new 5 -year program is designed to im- prove the competitive position of Ontario producers and encourage improvements in the production and financial manage- ment areas of individual operations. 1. Farmer Grants - five-year program from April 1, 1986 to March 31, 1991. - must have an average of at least 20 sows or market at least 300 market weight hogs annually. - production analysis and financial analysis — $100 for each analysis each year. - ventilation grant — up to $1500. - productivity and quality improve- ment grant on facilities — up to $1500. - grants are available for A.I., rodent control, private veterinary herd health program, tuition fees and feed analysis. 2. Research and Development - grants for additional swine research. 3. Pork Advisors - additional,Ministry staff are hired for the five-year period to service the program and provide addi- tional advisory capacity. C. The Ontario Red Meat Plan It is a five-year quality and productivity incentive plan for the cow -calf, stocker - slaughter and sheep producers from April 1, 1984 to March 31, 1989. It provides grants for weighing livestock, livestock handling equipment, scales, watering equipment, etc. There are additional financial incen- tives in herd health, forage testing, preconditioning, enterprise analysis, estrus control, pregnancy examinations and grading. There are three components: 1. Cow -Calf Development -The Beef Herd Improvement Pro- gram (BHIP) provides for weighing incen- tives to be used to cull low producing cows, select replacement heifers, evaluate herd sires and measure the effects of manage- ment practices. Producers must be enroll- ed before calves are born and must have calves weighed in order to be eligible for the weighing or incentive grants. 2. Stocker and Slaughter Cattle Development - The Weighing and Management Pro- gram provides for weighing incentives to assist in the monitoring and management procedures in feedlot and pasture situa- tions. Producers must enroll and monitor cattle weights in order to be eligible for any grant in the program. 3. Sheep Flock Improvement Program (Ontario R.O.P. ) -Producers must enroll in this pro- gram and weigh lambs to be eligible for any grant in this program. All sheep ,must be identified in the flock so that indexes generated can be used .to select replacements and for culling. D. Ontario Processing Peach Program - fifty percent, of the cost of nursery stock for the planting of clingstone peaches. E. Ontario Greenhouse Energy Grant up to $8.50 per square metre to $34,000 maximum to renovate older greenhouses with energy efficient technology. F. Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Quality Improvement Program - forty percent of the cost up to $50,000 for post-harvest cool- ing, conditioning and storage equipment. G. Ontario Farm Tax Reduction Pro- gram - refund of 60 percent of municipal taxes. Questions, including interpretation of the program terms, may be answered by contacting :'Subsidies Branch, Ministry of Municipal Affirs, 777 Bay Street, 12th Floor, Toronto, M5G 2E5. Phone (416) 585-6565. Indicate property roll number( s ) and municipality with any correspondence. Financial Protection A. Crop Insurance A federal -provincial crop insurance program is now available for most major crops. The program is designed to help stop losses; not guarantee profits. Highly levered growers cannot afford to be without crop insurance. In fact, their lenders often insist on it. B. Stabilization Programs 1. Federal Stablization The federal government operates the main stabilization program. When prices fall below 90 percent of the five-year average, plus indexed changes in produc- tion costs, a payout is announced. For in- stance, corn and soybeans are two main crops in Ontario for which federal payments apply in 1986. In fact, interim payments were made. There are other crops such as apples which receive assistance by petition. 2. Provincial Stablilization Ontario's program is an insurance type of program covering the difference betweeen 90 and 95 percent of the adjusted five-year average. Opportunities are available to apply for apples, corn, soy- beans, white beans, winter wheat, barley, canola, oats and fresh market potatoes . with different registration deadlines. 3. Special Canadian Grains Program This federal project is a one billion dollar aid program to give relief to cash crop producers hurt by low prices from the current trade war. Payment is based on a nr- producer's 1986 seeded acreage of a crop times county average yield times assistance rate. Farm Credit Advisors or commis- sioners for taking oaths (lawyers, notaries, some reeves, court officials and some township clerks) are able to certify applications. 3. Tripartite Stablization This new insurance -type plan is a federal -provincial program. The premium is shared equally between the farmer and Vie.. tWo levels of government. Over the long run, the farmer should get $3 back for every $1 he pays in premiums. It is set up as a ten-year program subject to renewal. For Ontario's beef, pork and sheep pro- ducers, there will be no stabilization pro- grams. For many clients, this will require Turn to page 24 • • ALL NEW, FOR YOU!! ITS TIME ORDER YOUR BABY CHIC IMF — Ns s s