About MASC Lending

MASC offers a number of direct lending and loan guarantee programs to assist Manitoba agricultural producers and rural entrepreneurs obtain the financing they need to make their operations successful.

MASC believes in the future of rural Manitoba and is dedicated to program change and enhancement that addresses unserviced financial needs in the agricultural and rural communities.

What's New

BSE Recovery Loan Extension

• To assist cattle producers improve cashflow, existing BSE Recovery Loan clients now have the option of deferring principal payments for three years on their Part 2 loans. Deadline to apply is June 30, 2008.

Manitoba Hog Assistance Loans

• Slaughter hog and weanling producers now have access to Manitoba Hog Assistance Loans to assist with economic losses incurred on sales made between October 1, 2007 and May 31, 2008. Producers are able to borrow $35 per slaughter hog and $10 per weanling. The maximum loan amount is $2.5 million, termed out over eight years. Deadline to apply is April 30, 2008.

Direct Loans

• To reflect the effects of inflation and a recent review of off-farm income reported by current clients, the off-farm income limit requirement for the MASC Direct Loans program has been increased from $100,000 to $120,000.

• MASC recently increased the Young Farmer Rebate (YFR) lifetime limit from $10,000 to the new limit of $15,000, to assist producers coping with rising input costs. The YFR credit was previously calculated at two per cent of the young farmer's combined loan balances up to $100,000 and the new limit is increased to $150,000 effective April 1, 2007.

• Through the Bridging Generations Initiative, young farmers under the age of 40 can now choose either a 90 per cent financing option, which reduces the down payment required; or five years of interest-only payments to assist with cash flow pressures as developing enterprises are being established.

• The Management Training Credit, which provides a lifetime credit of up to $12,500 ($2,500 per year maximum) to young producers who participate in annual training, was recently expanded to include a broader range of eligible loan purposes for young farmers.

• As a result of ongoing program review and dialogue with the agriculture industry, MASC recently increased loan limits to $525,000 (previous maximum of $475,000) for individuals and $1,050,000 (previous maximum of $950,000) for partnerships, corporations and cooperatives. MASC also increased the net worth eligibility to a maximum of $850,000 (previously $775,000) to meet the developing needs of clients.

Alternate Energy Loans

• To encourage the local production of ethanol, bio-diesel and capturing wind energy projects, MASC has developed the Alternate Energy Loan. Loans are available up to $525,000 for individuals and up to $1,050,000 for partnerships and corporations.

Environmental Enhancement Loans

• Now available are Environmental Enhancement Loans to assist producers in modifying their current operations or management practices to become more environmentally sustainable. Loans are available up to $150,000.

Stocker Loans

• To reflect the effects of inflation and a recent review of off-farm income reported by current clients, the off-farm income limit requirement for the MASC Stocker Loans program has been increased from $100,000 to $120,000.

Rural Entrepreneur Assistance

• Rural Entrepreneur Assistance (REA) provides guarantees on loans made by participating lenders to eligible small businesses in rural Manitoba. REA was recently enhanced to allow more businesses to qualify by increasing loan limits (up to $200,000) and extending amortization periods (up to 10 years).

Manitoba Livestock Associations Loan Guarantees

• Provisions are now in place to include breeder associations in the guarantee program. An association can provide a reliable source of credit and new members benefit from more experienced members. Members can finance up to 100 per cent of cattle purchases and finance their own cattle (cash advance) up to 90 per cent.