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Agstability & CFIB

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    Agstability & CFIB

    The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has released a report on the Agstability program.

    http://www.cfib-fcei.ca/cfib-documents/rr3117.pdf

    This is a good read. It's based on a survey they did of their members. It lays out a lot of the issues we've been having with this program.

    It also questions why so few livestock producers are enrolled, when they are the ones who need the most help. Anybody have a theory on that?

    #2
    Government programs equal enslavement!

    Comment


      #3
      I thought of you Kathy when this was posted. My Dad will not participate in any of these programs because he, like you, will not be held hostage to the attached strings.

      Comment


        #4
        I can only speak for ourselves as to why
        we don't participate in agri-stability.
        In no particular order.
        1. Cost - by the time the accountant
        prepares to forms there is a substantial
        cost even if there is no payment.
        2. Timeliness - good luck getting a
        cheque in time to pay the bills incurred
        during the disaster situation.
        3. Declining margins - we are working
        out of this pretty rapidly, but an
        extended disaster (eg: BSE) means no
        extended payout
        4. Farm Succession - for us the process
        of farm succession and transferring and
        merging assets, joining partners, etc.
        has created an added level of complexity
        that made the program difficult to
        manage
        5. Control - there are real issues of
        control, etc. with the program and
        things like clawback of payments can
        create a disaster situation on an
        individual farm. As well AFSC usually
        uses your Agristability account for
        security on other programs, meaning if
        you don't pay Revenue Canada can come
        and get the money.
        6. We use other risk tools that are
        better suited to our risks - eg:
        moisture insurance
        7. Personal philosophy - I don't agree
        with farming programs rather than
        farming land. Our time and resources
        are best spent elsewhere. I think AS
        tends to lead to conventional thinking
        in a lot of ways.

        With all that we still keep an eye on
        the program and may choose to
        participate in the future. I do like
        AgriInvest. Put your money in, it
        doubles the next day and take it out
        again. LOL.

        Comment


          #5
          Assuming they send you your notice. We still have received no notice from the 2008 year. Time to pester once again. It won't be the first time. Last time I called they said, "Don't worry, we're sending them out a few at a time. Just be patient."

          Nice attitude, eh?

          Comment


            #6
            I don't have a problem "farming Government" as long as it doesn't negatively affect the way I farm - it's another aspect of risk management and I'm well versed in working subsidy programs to advantage. In my experience you are better to sign onto this kind of program as it opens the door to other things - example the Advanced Payment Program which requires AgriStability participation.
            Saying that AS appears a pretty crap program with little to offer the average producer. I wouldn't still be participating if I had to pay an accountant to file the paperwork - we quit that after the first year or so.
            Like Sean I much prefer Agri-Invest, a simple money in, money out deal.
            They are all pathetic alternatives to having a functioning marketplace, real profitability and no need for subsidy or bail-out money.

            Comment


              #7
              Amen to that GF. The problem as I see
              it from a Government perspective and a
              management perspective is that if the
              program is lucrative enough to manage
              real risk, then it has enough financial
              incentive to forget about farming for
              the right reasons and farming to the
              program. I like the concept behind
              agristability and reference margins and
              I definitely do not like cost of
              production based programs, but in
              reality the program is more about
              inventory valuation and timing than it
              is about risk management.

              Comment


                #8
                Finally had some money to put into Agri invest (2008) And they said I was to late? WTF

                Comment


                  #9
                  Write a letter appealing the issue. Because of the irregular deadline to make the deposit (most were Dec 7th) which was later extended, there is still many who did not participate.

                  If there was extraordinary circumstances (death, sickness in the family) to support your case for sending in late, it will help.

                  There is no guarantee with this process but worth the stamp to try.

                  Comment

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