Advance Payments Program

About the Program

The Advance Payments Program (APP) is a federal program under the Agriculture Marketing Programs Act (AMPA), which provides agriculture producers with easy access to low-interest cash advances for livestock and crops.

Under the program, beef farmers can access up to $1,000,000 per program year in advances based on the value of their cattle. The Government of Canada covers the interest on the first $250,000* advanced to the farmer, and advances are repaid once the cattle are sold.

Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) administers the interest-free provision of the APP for the feeder co operatives across the province. This provision is permitted because the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs guarantees the Ontario Feeder Cattle Loan Guarantee Program.

To be eligible for the interest-free provision, members will have to complete an APP application form, pay the respective fee and meet the APP criteria.

* On March 7, 2025, the Government of Canada announced that it will maintain the $250,000 interest-free loan limit of the Advanced Payments Program (APP) for the 2025-26 program year, which was set to expire on April 1, 2025.