This joint Canada-Alberta AgriRecovery initiative compensated producers for the extraordinary cost of keeping market-ready hogs on maintenance rations due to reduced processing capacity.

Q&As

PROGRAM BASICS

Q: What does this AgriRecovery program cover?

A: This joint Canada-Alberta AgriRecovery initiative covers extraordinary feed costs incurred by producers due to reduced slaughter capacity at hog processing plants due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

ELIGIBILITY

Q: What are the eligibility requirements for the initiative?

A: To be eligible to participate in the initiative, producers must own market-ready hogs intended for processing between February 8 and March 31, 2021, which were held back from shipping due to reduced processing capacity at the Red Deer Olymel hog slaughter facilities.

Participants must:

  • Be an individual who is at least 18 years of age; either a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada; and reside in Alberta; or be a corporation that is actively operating in Alberta;
  • Report farm income and expenses in Alberta for income tax purposes. Applicants who are not required to file farm income tax must provide documentation that shows the production and sale of agricultural commodities;
  • Be the owner of an Alberta Pork producer number responsible for paying the feeding costs of the eligible animals located in Alberta; and
  • Agree to the program as specified in the Terms and Conditions.

Animals must:

  • Be hogs that were scheduled for slaughter at the Olymel plant in Red Deer, Alberta between February 8 and March 31, 2021.
  • Be fed in Alberta
  • Be hogs that were delayed being shipped to market due to the COVID-19 related plant closure.

Q: Are boar, sows or hogs that are not market-ready eligible under the initiative?

A: No, only market-ready hogs are covered.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Q: What does the program cover?

A: There are two components to the program: the maintenance feed costs and the destruction and disposal cost. We are currently focused on the maintenance component of the program, and will address emerging needs over the next month as the situation unfolds.

Q: Do I need to submit a new application each week?

A: Participants will only need to provide one application per producer for the duration of the program.

Q: When do applications for the program open and close?

A: Applications will tentatively be available Friday, March 12 and remain open until March 25, 2021.

Q: How do I apply?

A: To apply for the Canada-Alberta Hog Recovery Initiative, you will need to complete the two-step application process.

Step one: Register for the program: Click here to open the application form. Print it, complete it – remember to sign it – and return it to AFSC.

To return it, you can:

  • Email it to AgriRecovery@afsc.ca Use the email subject line: AgriRecovery Hog Recovery Initiative.
  • Fax it to AFSC at 403-782-8441.

Step two: Once your registration is received, the AFSC Hog AgriRecovery team will email you a Hog Information Form in an Excel format to provide more information specific to your situation.

  • Participants only need to provide one Hog Information Form for the duration of the program.

Please ensure that your application is returned to AgriRecovery@afsc.ca, subject line: AgriRecovery Hog Recovery Initiative.

Q: I have registered for the program, but I have not received the Hog Information Form. What do I do?

A: You should check your Spam or Junk Email folders for the email with the hog information form. You can also download the form here – Canada-Alberta Hog Recovery Initiative Hog Information Form.

Q: What do I need to know to complete the form?

A: In order to complete this form, open the form by clicking on the link and choose enable content.  Once open click on the “Save Draft” button on the right side of the application. You can then choose to save the form on your desktop or other location.

Completing the form

Submit only one Hog Information Form per applicant with complete hog information for the duration of the program.

  • Premises ID: Refers to the Premises where the delayed hogs reside.
  • Number of eligible hogs that were delayed from being marketed:  List hogs that were scheduled to be shipped to the Olymel pork processing facility, but were delayed due to the plant closure.
  • Scheduled marketing date: Had Olymel remained open the date these hogs would have shipped.
  • Actual or estimated marketing date: The actual date the hogs were shipped to Olymel, or if not shipped, the projected date you will ship.

Once you have completed all information within the form, click the “Save Final” on the right side of the form.  All Hog Information forms must be submitted in Excel format to AgriRecovery@afsc.ca by 11:59 p.m. March 25.

NOTE:  Incomplete forms will not be processed and will be returned to applicant via email for completion.

Q: What information will I need to provide?

A: You will need to provide your premises ID, the number of eligible animals that were delayed from market; the scheduled marketing date, the actual or estimated marketing date. AFSC may request sales data to verify information provided. Applicants who are not current AFSC clients will be assigned an ID number which they will see on their Calculation of Program Benefits.

PAYMENT PROCESS

Q: Why am I not compensated for the first seven days of delayed shipping?

A: The first seven days of delayed marketing is not considered extraordinary, and is often a normal course of business for producers.

Q: How will the payment be calculated?

A: Eligible participants will receive a payment of $0.95/head/day for the number of days eligible animals were fed within the scope of the initiative, up to a maximum of 23 days.

Q: When will I receive payment?

A: Payments will be made at the end of the program.

Q: What happens if capacity at processing plants continues to be an issue and I can’t wait any longer to market my animals?

A: A second component of the initiative will provide compensation to producers for the extraordinary costs associated with the humane slaughter and disposal of non-marketable hogs.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Q: Will I be audited?

A: All audits will be random. Participants selected for audit will be notified by AFSC.

Q: Who do I contact for more information?

A: If you would like additional information, please contact AFSC using online chat, call our Client Service Centre at 1.877.899.2372 or contact a branch office. AFSC is ready and available to answer your questions and assist you.