Tag Archives: Canadian Government Grants

Funding for Farm Upgrades: Grow Your Farm in 2024

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Starting or expanding a farm can be a challenge, but is also very rewarding, both financially and in terms of personal satisfaction.

There are many farm grants programs set up to facilitate farm investment and encourage growth.

Farmers regularly apply and receive funding for a variety of business purposes including:

  • Barn construction and upgrades
  • Livestock purchase
  • Seed and fertilizer purchase
  • Tractor and combine purchase or lease
  • Land acquisition and clearing
  • Installation of Irrigation Systems
  • Installation of Tile Drainage
  • Fencing
  • Implementing Technology Upgrades


Farm upgrades can be a great way to drive on-farm productivity in 2023 and for tomorrow.

If you are ready to start or expand a farm, Farm Grants can help find funding. Find funding at:

https://farmgrants.ca/farm-business-funding-finder/

Equipment for Farming Part 3: Dairy Milking Machines

dairy farming, Farm Equipment, Farm Grants, Farm Loans, Farm Start-Ups, Farm Technology, Grants for Farm Improvements, , , , , ,

When running a dairy farm, milk production is the main source of farm revenue, and so the dairy farmer will try to maximize the quality and quantity of milk produced by the herd.  Dairy farming has a unique set of equipment requirements as compared to other types of animal farms focused on raising livestock for consumption. The milking setup and equipment can have a major effect on the efficiency and quality of the milking process.

There are several levels of complexity when it comes to milking equipment. The least complicated is hand milking, which is not really viable for a commercial farm in today’s day and age. As we go from less complicated to more complicated milking equipment setups, we see a whole range of setups starting at the simplest labor intensive vacuum assisted setups all the way to completely automated robotic milking stations.

Fully automatic milking systems are somewhat popular in Europe but remain much less popular in Canada. The majority of dairy farms in the Canadian market continue to use more traditional, cost-effective and easily maintained equipment.

A typical milking machine extracts milk from the cow’s udder by vacuum. They are designed to apply a constant vacuum to the end of the teat to extract the milk, transfer it to a container, and maintain blood circulation with a regular squeeze.

A milking machine installation consists of a system of pipes connecting the various vessels and other components through which air and milk flow. The system operates by vacuum, and therefore requires forces to be applied to function. Atmospheric pressure forces air, and intra-mammary milk pressure forces milk, into the system. The combination of these forces causes flow. To work continuously, air and milk must be removed from the system at appropriate rates. The air is removed with a vacuum pump and the milk is removed by a milk pump.

The right milking equipment can help raise efficiency and keep dairy cattle in top shape.

The cost to build a milking parlor (milking facility) with equipment can range anywhere from $30,000.00 on the low end upwards of $300,000.00 for large and complex installations. Milking equipment costs can be substantial, and it’s important to take advantage of all sources of funding available to your farm. Whatever you decide: Buying new or used equipment will be a key to your on-farm success. Start or expand your farming business now: the Canadian Grants Business Center can help.

Contact us now to find out more!

Farm Grants for Organic Farming

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Organic crops are produced without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides or fungicides on land that has been free of these chemicals for at least 3 years. Animal products fed organic grains and forage, synthetic hormones, antibiotics, and drugs can be considered organic.

In order to be considered organic, a producer must be certified by the appropriate certification body in keeping with the Canada Organic Regime.

Land Transition Requirements:

In order to use land fro organic crops, the land must be tended for 36 months with no prohibited inputs (fertilizer, herbicide, etc) before organic status.

Under the Canadian system, new applicants who wish to market organic field crops must apply for certification 15 months prior to the expected marketing date. Existing clients wishing to add new land to their certification must ensure that the land is managed according to the Canadian regulations for at least 12 months prior to certification. The European Equivalency Agreement which came into effect July 2011 now recognizes as organic any product certified under the Canadian system.

Livestock Transition Requirements:

There is a one-year transition for livestock to become organic breeding stock. Breeding stock cannot be sold for organic slaughter. Offspring from organic breeding stock is eligible for organic slaughter. If conventional or transitional livestock are managed organically from the start of their third trimester of gestation, then the offspring is eligible for organic slaughter.

Dairy cattle have a one year transition before the milk produced is eligible for organic status. Poultry must be under organic management beginning no later than the second day of life.

Organic certification can be a great way to drive revenue growth on a new or existing farm.

If you are ready to consider becoming an organic certified producer, the Canadian Grants Business Center can help find funding. Find funding at:

http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com/Funding-Finder.html

Or call us Toll-free at:

1-888-231-0075

Farming is the Future of Canada

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Farming is the Future of Canada

Agriculture is a diverse and exciting industry. The variety of farms and the people who live on them create the fabric of food production. Will this still be the case in the future?

Canadian Urbanization will have an impact on our farming processes. Every civilization is built on the production of food and the world’s best soil dies under our cities. By 2020, 80 percent of the global population will live in urban areas within 60 kilometers off a shore. This is Canada’s profile as well with over 70 percent of our population living in a port-side city. The continuous food going in is one issue but the waste coming out also pressures surrounding agricultural land.farm

Agricultural enterprises by nature are often stand-alone independent units but this too is changing and we will continue to see alliances and partnerships, especially when value adding is present. To truly establish markets, producers will be seeking out end-users that align with their value systems. Younger farmers today are hungry for information that adds value to their product and are well informed and very comfortable with these types of agreements.

Rural communities will change and prosper depending on their access to technology. We are starting to see some very interesting farm operations and vibrant small-town economies based on technology hubs and layering of partnerships. With the access to information and the ability to communicate globally, there are no restrictions on the opportunity. Lately, this has been expressed in the resurgence of interest in small family farms. Small is big again and young couples are flocking to the farm armed with their education, cell phones, cloud technology and business plans.

Many of these new farmers are women. In Canada, 30 percent of farms and ranches are owned and operated by women (40 per cent in British Columbia) and continued growth of this trend may change the face of farming in many ways, but one which stands out is closer ties with the consumer. Women will lead this change from commoditization and price taking to price alignment with quality. Look for encouragement in areas of research such as nutrient density.

There is room for every farmer and that is what makes this industry tick. We will continue to honor past traditions like ranching but it will be data based on genomics, performance data, nutrient quality and alignment with the end-user. The horse and rider may be replaced or assisted by a drone with UHF real-time communication.

Technology and science will be the drivers to enhance our social license and entice consumers to our food.pigs The industry will continue to find ways to draw folks to the counter with apps, this technology is enabling for all farms and all buyers and sellers regardless of size or volume.

We will always need the feed yard and the large landholder. Intensive farming reduces agriculture’s overall footprint and allows for an increase in set-aside lands such as grasslands and forages that are huge carbon sequesters. Manure will once again be gold and further technologies in its use will emerge.
So close to the action, data junkies and living with FOMO (the fear of missing out), the main buyer of food in this age needs constant proof and reassurance. In fairness, this is what companies such as Earls understand. To ask for certification is that piece of assurance that market research tells the restaurant that the consumer asked for or needs to feel secure. Remember, the food service guest is making a decision based on their core values and beliefs which are formed by the environment in which they live and the information that they have.

A new area of information that is important to note is animal welfare and the interrelationship with human rights and welfare. These are massive targets for consumers and now carry the same weight as the discussion on GMO. These men and women want a food experience and are willing to take the time to ask about what they are eating, how it was raised and how the folks were treated in the process. This is our new reality and an opportunity for system-wide improvements.

A cell phone, a huge list of connections, a great business plan, a mentor and reams of data will enhance future farming. Jobs will continue to increase in the agricultural sector and in 2020 the estimate is that we will need another 122,000 persons to fill the vacancies. The $50 billion that will transfer over in agriculture within the next two decades will go to the brightest and best in production and marketing. They will have a “feel” for the end-user and in many cases a direct dialogue with them. Access to market or to further value adding will be the ultimate objective on the farm. Like the millennial buyer, the millennial farmer won’t be force-fed or have any tolerance for poor connections or relationships. They will change up or move on.

Past, present and future, we all carry the responsibility of growing food — the most honorable task on earth — for today and tomorrow.

Please contact Canadian Grants Business Center for assistance in obtaining government funding to start or expand your farm business:

Visit : http://www.canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com

Or call Toll-Free: 1-888-231-0075 for help during the business day.

Government Funding for Ferme Bourgeois Farm Inc.

Farm Grants, Farm Loans, Farm Technology, , , , ,

Memramcook, NB –

A new storage facility will be built at Ferme Bourgeois Farm Inc, thanks to the Canadian Federal Government investment. This new facility will help reduce operational costs, increase sales opportunities and improve efficiencies.

The announcement was made by The Parliamentary secretary to the minister of Justice and the Member of Parliament for Moncton, on behalf of the regional minister for New Brunswick,  joined by the Ferme Bourgeois Farm Inc. officials.

The main aspects of this project will be to construct an atmosphere controlled storage facility, using brand new technology developed in Europe. This will centralize and increase apple storage capacity and reduce costs. It will also extend the shelf life and current selling seasons that the Farm see’s per year. The facility will also be used for a number of local apple growers as well.

The total amount of investment from the Canadian government is over $500,000 that will come through a Business Development Program.

 

  • Established in 1932, Ferme Bourgeois Farm is one of New Brunswick’s premier growers and supplier of apples and also produces a number of apple-based beverages including old-fashioned cider, a sparkling apple juice and a line of apple and other fruit wines.
  • Verger Belliveau Orchard provides packaging and storage services for Ferme Bourgeois Farm and other growers in the region and is the largest seller of fresh apples in New Brunswick.

For more information how government funding can help your farm or business please contact the Canadian Grants Business Center at 1-888-231-0075 or visit us at :

canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com.

The Top 5 Funding Opportunities for Canadian Agriculture

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Canada’s agriculture industry is quickly becoming the largest focus for the Canadian Government’s business effort for increased funding. Today the Government is helping the agriculture industry increase R&D and approach environmental and artificial challenges that they face everyday. These funding initiatives are helping the industry increase expansion and improve operational efficiencies and, today we will cover the top 5 funding initiatives available for Canadian agricultural business today:

1-Adaptation Opportunities

There are programs available today to help Canadian agricultural business to seize opportunities, respond to issues and drive solutions, along with development and commercialization of products not offered in local or National markets.

2-Marketing

There are funding programs available today to push your agri-business exports to a new level. There are funding programs available for advertising, promotions, product demonstrations, trade shows, trade missions, online presence, and web development. Drive your agri-business to a greater market reach.

3-Processing

There are funding programs available today to increase the processing power of agri-businesses in Canada. If provides processing businesses to innovate in process and manufacturing techniques and to adapt to today’s fast global market place.

4-Safety

There are also funding programs today to help agricultural businesses develop or improve or support safety systems or control points that meet or exceed  Canadian industry standards.

5-Environment

There is an increase emphasis on Canadian environmental sustainability in the agriculture industry. There are funding programs available today to create or improve agricultural practices that are safe to the environment and help controlling challenges caused from climate variability.

The Canadian Grant Business Center is a leading researcher for business funding in Canada. To see what funding is available to you, please visit us at

canadiangrantsbusinesscenter.com

 

5 Reasons to Apply for that Farm Grant

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Starting, running and maintaining a farm can become not only a huge physical burden on a person, but also cause financial distress as well. Many farm owners do not know this, but they may be eligible for financial assistance at all levels of the government. The Canadian Government today is making available to all sectors of the farming industry, government funding. Below you will find 5 reasons to start the application process today:

  • Government grants and repayable loans are offered at better terms than regular loans. They are given to select applicants based on certain criteria that the applicants meet. If you are chosen as an approved applicant, this means the government see’s potential in your farm that can benefit you and the economy on the local, provincial or federal level.
  • While it may seem like a caveat, it will actually benefit all parties involved; The funding can only be used to a certain aspect of the farm applying; If the applicant applied for a grant to improve process efficiency, the money can only be spent towards that and only that. With this control, the risk in the funding not returning anything fruitful is minimized.
  • Better than getting a conventional loan. While the approval process could possibly be more difficult, getting a government grant can be less stressful than getting a loan from a financial institution. No matter what you owe the financial institution the money back, but if the endeavour fails, you may risk losing just more than your farm due to the amount owed or the collateral that was put towards the loan.
  • Not a large selection pool. Many people do not know they have funding available to them; this includes any funding that you may be available for. By just finding out what is available for you, already gives you a leg up n the competition.
  • No limitation on the application process. If you meet the criteria, you may be able to get multiple funding from different programs. If your farm is based on dairy and grain production, you may be eligible for funding in programs that touch both those categories.

To learn what you are eligible for, the Canadian Grant Business Center is to answer your questions today. Contact us at today at 1-888-231-0075.

The Canadian Grant Business Center is a Funding Research firm in Canada. Our 2016 publications cover over hundreds of funding programs available throughout Canada for all types of entrepreneurs.

Farm Grants – Programs for Farming and Agri-Business

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The Government of Canada has Announced $200,000 in Government Grants for a New Agricultural Food Processing Facility to Serve Eastern Ontario Farmers

 Colborne, Ontario (November 2013)

Community Future Development Corporations (CFDCs) and the County of Northumberland recently announced $200,000 in government grants funding for processing equipment required in the eastern Ontario Food Processing Facility.

The facility will provide services to the regional agricultural community by helping locally owned food enterprises to grow. Locally-grown fruits and vegetables will be used to create new products through packaging and freezing processes.

The projected facility will occupy 15,000 square-feet and will offer a range of services including packaging and food storage. The plants primary focus will be to support diversified revenues for fruit and vegetable farmers in the region. The facility will be available for rental, refrigeration and freezer cold storage, educational and meeting space.

“The niche processing facility is an integral part of Northumberland County’s strategic plan supporting economic development and prosperity. By supporting agriculture, technology, business innovation and attraction it creates a centre for regional local food” said Hector Macmillan, Northumberland County Warden.

Construction has begun on The Northumberland Niche Food Processing Facility  which is targeted to be open for business in late spring 2014.