Permanent Risk Management Program details now available

APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 15

the program is now permanent, the details have been finalized and the applications are available through Agricorp.  Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased a permanent Risk Management Program has been made a reality by the Ontario government.

The program, for the 2011 crop year only, will be open to all farmers including those who have not ever participated and those who dropped out of the program at any point during the pilot.  Also, for the 2011 crop year only, premiums are waived and cross compliances with Crop Insurance and AgriStability are not required.

Applications have been mailed to all grain farmers who participated in the 2010 Risk Management Progam pilot extension and farmers currently enrolled in Production Insurance.    

If you did not receive an application in the mail you can download one from the Agricorp website at www.agricorp.com or phone 1-877-257-1380 to request that one be mailed to you.

The application deadline to qualify for the 2011 Risk Management Program is September 15, 2011.

Beginning in 2012, farmers will be expected to pay premiums and cross compliance with AgriStability is required to qualify for the program.  There is no penalty for farmers who participate in 2011 but opt out for future years.  Once a premium for a program year has been paid (either in 2012 or at a later date), farmers must continue to participate each year or opt out for a program year plus an additional 2 years.

The other requirement for 2012, new for the permanent Risk Management Program is the obligation for every farmer enrolled in the program to have a Premises ID from OnTrace.  See the sidebar for more details on how to obtain a Premises ID. For details on the reason for this requirement, visit the OnTrace website at www.ontrace.ca.

One criticism of the program during the pilot was the lack of an AgriStability premium offset.

Farmers received the better of the two program payouts – either the provincial share of AgriStability or the Risk Management Program – but paid the full premium for coverage from both programs with no offset.

Following the 2012 year, farmers will be rebated based on the payment offset.  More details on this new component of the Risk Management Program will be forthcoming in future program guidelines.

If you have any questions about the  details of the permanent Risk Management Program there are three ways to get answers:

• For questions regarding the application process, deadlines or program details contact Agricorp at 1-877-257-1380.
• For questions about the design of the program, future considerations or any other general questions about the program contact Erin Fletcher at Grain Farmers of Ontario at efletcher@gfo.ca or 519-767-4137.
• This program is offered through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.  They can be found at www.omafra.gov.on.ca and at
  1-877-424-1300.

GET YOUR PREMISES ID NOW!
Premises Identification is a requirement for many Ontario government funding opportunities. Producers are advised to obtain a Premises Identification Number and certificate for their farms as soon as possible.  

What do I need to get started?
You will need to accurately identify your property or properties, preferably with an Assessment Roll Number (ARN), which is a tax assessment number(s) from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation. 

If you cannot provide an ARN, you will need to provide one of the following:?A?latitude and longitude from a Global Positioning System (GPS), municipal address, or lot and concession numbers.

3 Easy Steps

Step 1:  Contact OnTrace for your application form online at www.ontrace.ca or by phone:     519-766-9292 or toll free: 1-888-388-7223.

Step 2: Complete your application form
All of the required fields must be completed and you will need to describe all the agricultural or agri-food activities that take place on the premises.

Step 3: Submit your application to OnTrace
If you have any questions, please contact OnTrace.

What is a Premises ID Number?
A Premises Identification Number is a unique identifying number assigned to a parcel of land that is associated with agri-food activities. In Ontario, premises are identified and registered in the Ontario Agri-Food Premises Registry, which is managed by OnTrace.

Premises identification is a critical element of an effective emergency response to a natural disaster, a food safety concern or plant/animal disease outbreak. •