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 and Agribusiness 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 April 1, 2026, the Government of Canada announced that it will maintain the $250,000 interest-free loan limit of the Advanced Payments Program (APP) for the 2026-27 program year, which was set to expire on April 1, 2026.