Cost-share funding available to Ontario producers

April 12, 2018

There are possible funding opportunities for business improvements available to your farm under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP).CAP is a five-year program designed to increase economic development, enhance environmental stewardship and improve assurance systems. The program is available to agricultural producers, processors and organizations.

The Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association will deliver cost-share funding to producers in Ontario.Applications are accepted during intake windows, which are scheduled between April 3, 2018 and March 31, 2023. The first application window is from April 3, 2018 to May 8, 2018. Not all project categories will be open in every application intake window. A farm business may have two applications under consideration at any one time, and a separate application must be submitted for each project. Applications will be assessed on merit. The program has no limit on cost-share projects that a farm business can complete. Projects cannot be started before the date of approval provided by the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association.

The following table outlines the cost-share opportunities available for producers in Ontario:
Area of Focus Category Category Description Cost-Share % Cost-Share Maximum
Environmental Stewardship A Adding organic amendments to soil for producers with fields that have low organic matter or nutrient level to purchase organic material, transport and custom application costs 40% $180 per acre up to $15,000
B Cover crops (excludes alfalfa, winter wheat or other commodity crops) 50% $10,000
C Modifications to equipment for improved manure application in the field 40% $30,000
D Fragile land retirement 50% $10,000
E Manure storage improvements (to increase capacity to meet 240 day threshold) 30% $35,000
F Modifications to equipment to reduce soil compaction (e.g. inflation/deflation systems that reduce field tire pressure, new tires that have reduced operational tire pressure ratings compared to conventional bias or radial tires) 40% $15,000
G Riparian buffer strips 50% $10,000
H Livestock facilities runoff control (e.g. eaves troughs on livestock buildings, vegetative filter strip, construction of impermeable surface and curb walls) 30% $20,000
I Erosion control structures 50% $20,000
J Equipment for tillage and nutrient application (e.g. no-till units or components, equipment to enable variable or controlled applications) 40% $30,000
K Wind breaks and wind strips 50% $10,000
L Water Wells (e.g. capping old wells, upgrades to existing wells) 30% $6,000
M Systems to recover nutrients from wastewater / washwater (e.g. manure dewatering systems, treatment systems) 30% $30,000
N Nutrient management and soil health planning (for producers who need a first-time plan) 50% $10,000
Area of Focus Category Category Description Cost-Share % Cost-Share Maximum
Environmental Stewardship (Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair watersheds) A, B, C, D, F, G, I, J, K, N For the noted categories, producers are eligible for additional cost-share percentages and maximums if they are located in the Lake Erie or Lake St. Clair watersheds 45%, 55% and 65% $20,000
Economic Development Business Analysis Farm financial analysis 50% $2,500
Business plans (excludes succession plans) 35% $10,000
Market Development Marketing assessments or plans to identify market opportunities 50% $15,000
Develop new products or processes (e.g. regulatory review, formulation development, product testing) 50% $15,000
Increase sales of products in Canadian market (e.g. brand development, consumer studies, promotional material) 35% $45,000
Increase sales in new or existing international markets (e.g. brand development, consumer studies, promotional material) 35% $50,000
Productivity Labour productivity plans 50% $15,000
Technology, equipment and software to increase automation and labour productivity 25% $100,000
Food Safety and Traceability Assessment and Planning Food safety and traceability pre-audit, gap assessment and plans (excludes livestock and poultry operations with the exception of dairy operations) 45% $4,000
Education Food safety and traceability training and education 45% $4,000
Improvements Equipment and facility upgrades to reduce food safety risks and achieve initial food safety certification 50% $75,000
Equipment Food safety equipment that will reduce food safety risks, support adoption of food safety program or respond to changing industry standards 35% $10,000
Equipment to implement traceability system (excludes livestock and poultry operations) 35% $10,000
Area of Focus Category Category Description Cost-Share % Cost-Share Maximum
Animal Health

(Note that preference may be given to particular livestock sectors or remote areas)

Education Animal health education and training, as well as completion of assessments and plans 50% $2,500
Preventing the Introduction and Spread of Disease On-site facilities for management of deadstock 35% $25,000
Equipment for animal health monitoring and management 35% $25,000
Improvements to prevent access by wildlife, pests and rodents (e.g. screening, curtains or soffits on barns, applying gravel around perimeter, pest control devices) 35% $25,000
Establishment of isolation or segregation facilities 35% $25,000
Improvements to prevent spread of disease through new construction, facility upgrades or implementing procedures (e.g. construction of wash bay or pad, shower facilities, replacing interior surfaces with non-porous washable materials, treatment system, cleaning and disinfecting equipment) 35% $25,000
Improvements to define zones and controlled access points through new construction, facility upgrades or implementing procedures (e.g. anteroom, creating zones with signage or fencing, controlling access to buildings, designated visitor parking) 35% $25,000
Improvements to Animal Housing and Handling Improvements to animal housing with new construction, facility upgrades or implementing new technologies (includes feeding and watering systems, new bedding systems, modular loading. head gates, chutes, group housing systems, ventilation systems, grooving or flooring) 35% $25,000
Traceability system improvements (eg. written policies and systems, training, barcoding systems and automated product identification systems, building or site upgrades to support implementation of written traceability system) 50% $75,000
Traceability equipment (e.g. equipment directly linked to implementation of traceability system) 35% $10,000
Equipment to improve animal handling (e.g. improve castration, dehorning or euthanasia, chutes, heat gates, ventilation) 35% $25,000
Area of Focus Category Category Description Cost-Share % Cost-Share Maximum
Plant Health Education Plant health education and training as well as completion of assessments and plans 50% $5,000
Improvements Tools and equipment for monitoring, management and treatment to prevent, identify and limit introduction and spread of pests 35% $25,000
Installation of continuous rinse systems for producers who use pesticide application equipment 50% $2,500
Modifications or additions to existing structures to prevent introduction and spread of pests (e.g. anteroom, access points, wash bay, cleaning equipment) 35% $50,000
Elimination of potentially contaminated plant or soil materials (e.g. containment area, sanitation procedures) 35% $25,000
Modifications for greenhouse producers and propagators to prevent introduction and spread of diseases and pests (e.g. screening. pest control devices, first-time pest management program) 25% $50,000

For more information, please refer to: https://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/canadian-agricultural-partnership/

Applications for funding can be prepared using the methods listed below. BDO can assist you with the preparing of applications.

We recommend that clients take advantage of these cost-share opportunities. BDO is happy to provide advisory services to help you complete your applications or prepare plans for your farm operation.

Information for processors, organizations, collaborations or others in the supply chain can be found as follows:

Information for processors is available on the following websites: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/cap/index.htm

Information for organizations and collaborations is available at: http://adaptcouncil.org/program/cap

Information on funding for other businesses in the supply chain such as packers, retailers, elevator and storage facilities, seed treatment and storage facilities, transport providers, equipment manufacturers and suppliers and custom applicators is available at: www.ontarioprogramguides.net

This site uses cookies to provide you with a more responsive and personalised service. By using this site you agree to our use of cookies. Please read our privacy statement for more information on the cookies we use and how to delete or block them.