Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program

This exists because CSBFP excludes farming

Farm businesses that find the Canada Small Business Financing Program first often assume they have no federal option, because farming is explicitly excluded from it. CALA is the direct equivalent, administered by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the same banks and credit unions, and covers the same kind of capital purchases. Beginning farmers and start-up farm operations are specifically included.

The details

What it covers	Equipment, land, livestock, buildings and improvements.
Who qualifies	Farmers, including start-up and beginning farmers, and agricultural co-operatives.
Structure	A federal guarantee on a loan from your bank or credit union, the same mechanism as CSBFP.
Apply through	Your bank or credit union.
Amount	Maximums are set by the program and differ for individual farmers and co-operatives. Confirm the current limits with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or your lender.

Current maximums confirmed with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

How much

VERIFY current maximums for farmers and co-operatives.

Farmers, including start-up farmers and beginning farmers, and agricultural co-operatives.

Against the nearest alternatives

Program	Type	Maximum	Apply through	Timeline
Canadian Agricultural Loans Act Program	Loan guarantee, repayable	Loan guarantee	Your bank or credit union
BDC Financing	Loan, repayable	$350,000	BDC directly	2 to 6 weeks
CSBFP	Loan guarantee, repayable	$1,150,000	Your bank or credit union	4 to 8 weeks

Common questions

Source and application

Program scope and eligibility: agriculture.canada.ca

Facts on this page last checked 7 August 2026.

Apply on the official site
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