General Questions
Answers
1. Where can I get an application? You can pick up an application at any elevator or oilseed crushing facility in your area. You can also request forms be mailed to you by sending a request to ccga@ccga.ca with "Request for Applications" in the subject line. Information on our program can also be obtained by going to Agriculture and Agri-food Canada’s website @ www.agr.gc.ca.
2. Can I receive an advance through CCGA if I am in default with another organization such as the Canadian Wheat Board? No, all defaulted outstanding balances must be paid (regardless of which organization issued the advance) before you can receive a new advance from anyone.
3. Can I apply for a Cash Advance Online? New to CCGA for 2009, producers can complete and submit an application on-line. However, the application form once signed becomes a legal contract. Not all provinces are ready to accept electronic signatures at this time and therefore we still require a hard copy with an original signature on all applications. The completed Application Forms, including Producer's Declaration Forms, Joint & Several Liability Continuing Guarantees, Saskatchwan Farm Security Wavers and Guarantee Acknowledgement Certificates can be printed, signed and witnessed (if applicable), and mailed into our office. The Spring Advance also requires an Assignment of Indemnity form. Please see our Forms section, under the Cash Advance tab for more information.
4. When is the deadline to apply for a 2009 APP Advance? The deadlines to apply for the 2009 APP advance are as follows: - Part 1 - Intended Seeding Spring Advance - June 20th, 2009
- If you have received money for Part 1, you must complete Part 2 and send to our office along with your Confirmed Seeded Acreage report, or if using Agristability as security, by having Part 2 signed by a Commissioner for Oaths, and return Part 2 of the application prior to August 1st, 2009 regardless of whether or not you will be receiving additional funds.
- Part 2 - Actual Seeded Spring Advance - If Part 1 was not applied for previously, the deadline to apply for a Spring advance is September 1st, 2009.
- If you have completed Part 2 of the application, you must complete Part 3 prior to December 31st, 2009 regardless of whether or not you will be receiving additional funds.
- Part 3 - Post Harvest Fall Advance - If parts 1 & 2 were not applied for previously, the deadline to apply for the Fall portion of the advance is March 1st, 2010.
5. Who needs to fill out and sign the Joint and Several Liability Form? Any producer applying jointly, or under a partnership, multiple-unit, company, co-operative or corporation (Inc. or Ltd.) name must have all related producers in that corporation sign the Joint and Several Liability Form. In Alberta it must be witnessed by a notary public and accompanied by a Guarantee Acknowledgement Certificate for each entity (shareholder). In all other provinces a witness (must not be a relative) must sign.
6. What commodities are available through the Canadian Canola Growers for the 2009 APP Advance? For BC, AB, SK, MB we offer advances on canola, flax, rye, oats, mustard, canary seed, triticale, buckwheat, and hemp (seed for oil), timothy hay - supreme, premium, choice or standard grades (for export only). For Alberta and Saskatchewan we also offer advances on lentils, kabuli and desi chickpeas, peas, pinto beans, soybeans, white beans, faba beans and other coloured beans. For Non-Designated CWB areas (such as southern BC) we offer advances on non-board wheat, non-board barley and non-board durum.
7. How is my application processed? The APP Advances are processed in three stages. Producers initially receive a cheque equivalent to 60% of the original amount applied for less a 3% withhold and the admin fee. The 60% cheques are sent directly to you, the producer, along with a copy of the application (via Xpresspost). Once you have finished seeding, you must send a copy of your Confirmed Seeded Acreage Report along with the completed Part 2 Actual Seeded Spring Advance. At that time, you will receive the balance of the pre-production funds you are entitled to less a 3% withhold, along with a copy of part 2 for your records. Once you have completed harvest (and no later than December 31st, 2009) you must send the complete and signed Part 3 Post Harvest Fall Advance. Once processed, you will receive any funds to which you are entitled, less a 3% withhold along with a copy of the final portion of your application. PLEASE NOTE that all parts of the application must be completed by the deadlines above regardless of whether or not you will be receiving additional funds. Producers have the option of utilizing an Electronic Fund Transfer, however this option is not available if your lending institution has indicated on your application that they require the cheque to be made out jointly. In order for you to have your advance funds transferred directly into your bank account, an EFT form must be signed as well as having a voided cheque attached. With EFT applications, advance funds are deposited directly into your account and copies of the application form are sent directly to you.
8. What is the 3% withhold? CCGA withholds 3% of all advance amounts issued in order to meet its obligations to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The 3% withhold is issued back to the producer (less any outstanding interest charges) upon the full repayment of the advance as required. In the event that an advance goes into default, the withheld amount is applied against the interest and principal amounts of the advance as specified in the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act. All interest earned on the withheld amount is used to offset administration costs.
9. Do I have to pay another admin fee when I transfer my Actual Seeded Spring APP Advance to a Post Harvest Fall APP Advance? Only one administration fee is charged in processing the application except when a producer uses both Production Insurance and Agristability as security for the advance. When Agristability is used in addition to Production Insurance, an additional admin fee of $75.00 will be charged.
10. How do I repay this APP Advance? Advances must be repaid by September 30th, 2010 as follows:
a). On the portion of your crop first sold. You may not dispose of any part of the crop, in any manner, before disposing of the portion of the crop upon which the advance was received. b). By selling (or otherwise disposing) of the crop in respect of which the eligible advance is made and paying directly to CCGA for each unit of crop within seven (7) days of receipt of payment or within forty-five (45) days from delivery to the Buyer, whichever is earlier, an amount equal to the Advance Rate in effect at the time of repayment or the final rate of the program the advance was issued under. c). By selling (or otherwise disposing of) the crop in respect of which the eligible advance is made to an Authorized Buyer, and having them remit on your behalf to CCGA for each unit of crop (within 30 days from delivery) an amount equal to the advance rate multiplied by the net MT delivered. d). If the Producer chooses to repay in cash an amount in excess of $1000.00 or 10% of the total advance amount (whichever is greater) without proof of sale of the product, the Producer will be charged interest at the rate of CIBC prime, on the excess amount from the date the advance was issued to the date the repayment was received by CCGA, and the Producer must pay all interest on the cash repayment to CCGA by October 15, 2010. e). If the Producer is eligible to receive a payment under a BRM Program which was used as security for this advance by payment directly from that BRM Program payment. **Please note - it is the producer's responsibility to keep track of all repayments and deductions taken on their behalf by any Buyer. In the event that a producer receives information that a deduction has not been remitted promptly, the producer must notify CCGA immediately, however, the producer will still remain liable to CCGA for repayment of that portion of grain that has been sold.
11. How can I find out the outstanding balance of my account? Statements are mailed directly to producers in each of the three months preceding the repayment deadline of each advance program. You may also follow the prompts to set up and use the Producer Account Look-up on our website to find your outstanding balance. |