What is The FarmCash Advance Program?

Whether you’re growing crops, raising livestock, or running a beekeeping operation, FarmCash understands the challenges farmers face year-round. As an administrator of the Advanced Payment Program, we provide cash advances based on expected and actual crop, honey, or livestock yields. More than just a cash advance, FarmCash is a complete cash flow solution, helping farmers cover costs, invest in equipment, and make smart, strategic decisions. We’re committed to supporting the agricultural community with flexible solutions, marketing options, and risk management tools that strengthen farms and boost long-term profitability.

What is the Advance Payments Program (APP)?
The APP is a federal loan guarantee program which provides agricultural producers with access to low-interest cash advances to help provide marketing flexibility to allow producers to sell their commodity at the most opportune time. Advances are available on over 500 crop and livestock products across Canada. Under the program, you can access up to $1,000,000 in total advances based on the value of the eligible agricultural products you will produce or that you have in storage.
Normally, the Government of Canada pays the interest on the first $100,000 of your advance.
  • For the 2024 and 2025 program years, the first $250,000 is interest free
  • For canola advances specifically, the first $500,000 is interest free for the 2025 and 2026 program years
In September 2025, the Government of Canada announced that the Advance Payments Program (APP) interest-free limit will be set at $500,000, for canola advances, for the 2025 and 2026 program years. This is the portion of advances on which the Government of Canada pays the interest on behalf of producers. The change will give canola producers access to additional cash flow and interest savings to help cover costs until they sell their products.
This follows the March 2025 announcement indicating that the APP interest-free limit will be set at $250,000 for the 2025 program year.

 

APP advances are available through industry associations across Canada.

Who is eligible for the program?

To be eligible you must be:

  • a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; or
  • a corporation, cooperative or partnership of which the majority interest is held by Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

You must also:

  • be the age of majority in the province of operation;
  • have produced/be producing and own the agricultural product; and
  • be responsible for its marketing.

For a corporation, cooperative or partnership, one or more of the stakeholders must be the age of majority in the province of operation.

What agricultural products are eligible for the APP Program?

FarmCash supports more than 50 commodities through the Advanced Payment Program (APP). To see the full list of commodities we support, please refer to our: FarmCash Advance Rate Sheet.

Most agricultural products are eligible for an APP advance, including:

  • Crops
  • Grains and oilseeds
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Livestock such as cattle, hogs, sheep, bison, rabbits, red deer, boar, goats, and elk
  • Certain breeding animals intended for sale during the production period (cattle, goats, sheep, hogs)
  • Bees intended for sale during the production period
  • Fur pelts and cervid antler velvet
  • Honey and maple syrup
How are the amounts of the advances established?

APP advances are based on the anticipated value of the eligible agricultural products that are either being produced or that are in storage. Producers can receive up to 50% of the expected value of their production.

The advance amounts producers are eligible to receive will be limited by the level of security the producer is able to provide.

Refer to FarmCash Rate Sheet

Why is a security required for an advance?

APP advances must be secured to ensure a producer will be able to reimburse their advances. In all instances, the producer must agree to offer up the agricultural product(s) being advanced on as security. Additionally, for pre-production and livestock advances, coverage under one or a combination of the eligible business risk management programs will be required (e.g., AgriInsurance and AgriStability).

What are the loan (advance) terms?

Producers are required to make repayments as they sell the agricultural products they received their advance on. The full advance must be repaid within the production period as noted in the repayment agreement signed with the APP administrator. The production period is 18 months for most agricultural products (24 months for cattle and bison).

How are the advances repaid?

Producers must repay their APP advance as they sell the agricultural products on which the advance was made (within 30 days of a receiving payment from the sale of the agricultural product).

What is the role of APP Administrators?

APP Administrators sign annual tripartite agreements with their Financial Institution and the Minister of Agriculture, which authorizes them to deliver the program to producers. Once their agreement is signed, APP Administrators become responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the program. They assess a producer’s eligibility, coordinate the application process, determine advance amounts and manage the producer’s file until full repayment, while respecting the terms and conditions of their agreements.

What is the role of the Federal Government?

The Federal Government pays the interest on the interest-free portion APP advances. Furthermore, the Government guarantees the total amounts advanced to the producers, which allows APP administrators to charge a low interest rate in the interest-bearing portion of advances. Lastly, the Government provides oversight to help ensure that APP Administrators comply with the requirements of their agreements, as well as the Agricultural Marketing Programs Act and its Regulations.

Why The FarmCash Advance?

Over 50 Commodities. One Smart Tool. FarmCash helps producers across Western Canada – from crops to honey and livestock – confidently manage cash flow and grow their farm at every stage.

 

Unlock Interest-Free Cash

Access up to $500,000 interest-free – contact us to learn more!

 

Year-Round Advances

Financing available year-round with up to 18 months for most agricultural products and up to 24 months for cattle and bison.

 

Producer-Centric Service

Personalized support every step of the way from a team who understands farmers and their cash flow needs.