PERTH-WELLINGTON – The Ontario government continues to support farm families through changes to the Commodity Loan Guarantee Program (CLGP), and the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program, states local MPP Randy Pettapiece.
“Farm families across Perth-Wellington and the province endured a very difficult corn harvest this past fall,” said Pettapiece. “Minister Hardeman and I are committed to supporting our grain farmers.”
Minister of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman said the government’s risk management programs are responding, as designed, but market conditions require additional action to provide breathing room to corn farmers.
A CLGP extension from Feb. 28 to Sept. 30 for the 2018 and 2019 program years will give producers affected by high levels of Deoxynivalenol (DON) additional time to market their corn.
There will be no additional application fees for the extension and producers can still pay off their loans (wholly or partially) at any time before the new September deadline.
In addition, the government is increasing the maximum guaranteed loan limit, on a pilot basis, from $120 million to $200 million for the 2019 and 2020 program years.
“We still do not know the full impact of the high levels of DON in this year’s crop,” said Pettapiece. “Our government will continue to monitor the situation and work with all affected stakeholders.”
The toxic substance, DON is caused by a fungus that reduces the market value of corn and can render it unmarketable at high levels.
Livestock losses
To support farmers who lose livestock to predators, significant updates were made to the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program.
“With these changes, our government is addressing farmers’ concerns and helping them deal with losses beyond their control,” said Hardeman.
