Alberta Milk Launches Program to Entice New Dairy Farmers

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Until March 31, Alberta Milk will be accepting applications to The New Entrant Assistance Program. The program offers a quota loan at no cost to successful applicants that want to be dairy farmers anywhere in province.

Ever dreamt about owning a dairy farm? Now’s your chance. Alberta Milk’s New Entrant Assistant Program (NEAP) is now accepting applications.

The program works by matching the quota purchased by the new entrant with a loan of quota from Alberta Milk up to 25 kg/day at no cost. This loan translates to enough quota to milk about 20 to 25 additional cows. It gradually expires beginning in the seventh year and is reduced to zero at the end of year ten.

“This is a hand up, not a hand out,” says Chairman Tom Kootstra. “This program is meant to encourage those that have the potential to be exceptional dairy farmers to invest in our industry. The result is a strong future for everyone.”

More about the Program:

  • While using the program, new entrants can expand up to 70 kg/day of total quota holdings, or about 65-70 cows.
  • The process to qualify for the program consists of submitting a two-year financial business plan, a 10-year implementation plan, a risk mitigation plan, and signed letter from the applicant’s financial institution agreeing to finance their operation.
  • The program started in 2011 and has welcomed 15 new dairy farms into the province and is reviewed annually.

Alberta Milk will be accepting applications from January 1 to March 31, 2017. Further details about the program can be found at albertamilk.com or 1-877-361-1231. Interviews with current farmers on the program can be coordinated.

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