A new business management tool is available to Ontario’s meat goat farmers.
ACC Farmers’ Financial and Ontario Goat have announced they have received authorization from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to administer financing to the Ontario meat goat industry through the expansion of the Advance Payments program to include meat goats.
“It is an area of agriculture that we have been trying to accommodate for some time now and earlier this month that goal was achieved”, said Jaye Atkins, chief executive officer of ACC Farmers’ Financial.
“We have worked closely with Ontario Goat on this matter and anticipate many producers will benefit from this addition.”
Meat goat farmers can receive a cash advance on up to 50% of the average market price for kids, young goats, mature does and mature bucks. Breeding stock are not eligible to receive an advance and all animals must be marketed for the goat meat market.
The Advance Payments program offers up to $100,000 interest free with an additional $300,000 available at the bank prime rate.
The 2012 applications will be available between mid-March and Feb. 28, 2013. All applicants are required to participate in Agristability.
“The partnership with ACC Farmers’ Financial is proof positive of the value of Ontario Goat as an organization working for all Ontario goat farmers in order to advocate for programs and services that will help move the industry forward,” stated Ontario Goat executive director Jennifer Haley.
“Ontario meat goat farmers now have an additional financing option available to them when looking at the needs of their operations both today and tomorrow,” added Haley.
ACC Farmers’ Financial and Ontario Goat continue to work on the development of a goat milk program.
The Advance Payments program for livestock has been administered by ACC Farmers’ Financial since the spring of 2007 and was designed to assist farmers with costs associated with raising animals until they are sold at market. Financing is also available for Ontario cattle, hogs, lambs and sheep.
