CFFO Highlight Key Changes in Growing Forward 2

Jun 14, 2013

CFFO Highlight Key Changes in Growing Forward 2

Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario Discusses Ag Policy Changes in Weekly Commentary

The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario (CFFO) said that farmers should make note of some important changes of the non-business risk management component of Growing Forward 2 (GF2), a policy framework for Canada’s agricultural sector. In CFFO’s weekly commentary, it says that while GF2 includes programs that farmers are familiar with, there are also some notable changes as well.

The following are some of the main changes:

• The days of being first in line for funding are over. The shift has moved to a merit-based approach, which will examine groups of projects, which will be one of the deciding factors to determine if a project will receive funding.
• Taking workshops to qualify for funding will no longer be required. However, farmers who have completed one within the last five years will receive higher priority in the evaluation process of a proposal.
• Capping of funding support is changing from limiting funding on a project to a new calculation limit on financial support based on the total support throughout the entire programming over 5-years.
• There are new limits on how much can be given to capital improvements, which aims to provide flexibility to where a farm business can make improvements over time. Farmers wishing to apply for this will have to provide a strong case for the benefits of these improvements.

CFFO praises the non-business risk management side of Growing Forward 2, saying that a merit-based approach is a positive change.

Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.