“We are committed to working with the hog industry and the province to help them weather this storm,” said Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. “Targeted Advance Payments are one way pork producers can get immediate access to cash flow to help them address this difficult financial situation.”

“Due to a number of factors, the pork industry in Saskatchewan continues to face financial pressures,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Bob Bjornerud said. “I hope these targeted advances will help pork producers access cash flow to address their immediate needs.”

Covering negative returns
“As we all are aware, Saskatchewan pork producers have been suffering significant financial losses over the last three years,” SaskPork President Joe Kleinsasser said. “While the AgriStability program is in place to assist in covering the negative returns, payments are often a year or more after the financial loss has occurred. We are very pleased the federal and provincial governments understand the need for immediate cash flow to producers and are providing the 2009 Targeted Advance Payment to help put cash into the hands of producers.”

Eligible Saskatchewan pork producers will receive a letter with information on the amount of their TAP and how to apply.

Targeted Advance Payments for pork producers are part of a national action plan to help Canada’s livestock producers, which includes making program payments under existing programs available earlier. Last year, improvements were made to the federal Advance Payments Program (APP) to provide farmers with quicker and easier access to cash advances. On January 23, 2009, a stay of default was also granted for APP advances issued to hog and cattle producers during the 2008-2009 production period.

Restructure hog industry
In addition, on August 15th, the federal government announced a comprehensive strategy to restructure the hog industry with initiatives designed to help pork producers recover or exit the industry, and to help the industry take advantage of new market opportunities.

AgriStability is a business risk management program under Growing Forward, a federal provincial- territorial initiative.