Farm Credit Canada (FCC) financial services and cash advance applications administered by the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) are among the services being delivered remotely to farmers.

FCC President and CEO Michael Hoffort indicates at least 90 percent of employees are working from home in observance of COVID-19 social distancing recommendations.

“We’re probably not as efficient as if we would have been in our office locations, which would be our normal way of doing business,” Hoffort said. “We are allocating and re-allocating staff within the organization to create some extra capacity and that is something that I think will help because there is nothing more important than what we are working on right now.”

FCC is working with customers who are looking to defer loans or get access to additional capital for the 2020 growing season.

The CCGA is one of a number of groups that administer the Advance Payments Program (APP) on behalf of the federal government. The APP offers farmers marketing flexibility through interest-free and low interest cash advances.

CCGA President and CEO Rick White says it has been an operational challenge to get all 65 employees working from home, but they will be ready when it’s time to start processing 2020 cash advance application next Wednesday, April 1st.

“Right now, we are doing pre-applications,” said White. “It looks it’s going to be fully subscribed, if I can use that term. There is a lot of interest in the 2020 program. Farmers need the cash and this is a cash flow tool for them to get them going on 2020.”

White says if farmers get a busy signal, try again or use the on-line option.

“Either phone, email or on-line. All of those are up and functioning. Maybe not quite 100 per cent capacity . . . but we will get them their money.”

You can hear the full interview with Rick White at this link.