Government Funding for Agriculture

Do you operate a farm in Canada? Is your farm incorporated? Whether your farm grows crops or performs animal husbandry, you may be eligible for the SR&ED Program.

SR&ED (Scientific Research & Experimental Development) is a government program that rewards companies that perform R&D in Canada. The program makes Canada a more economically competitive and technologically advanced nation and it has been in existence since the 80’s. The Canadian incentive program is one of the most generous R&D programs in the world.

The SR&ED program is not a grant, but strangely enough, does actually behave like a grant.  Traditional grants are pre-approved before work commences. SR&ED grants for agriculture are retroactive and approved after the fiscal year-end of the corporation

SR&ED Grants for Farms

There have been many advancements in agricultural techniques, despite the fact that this is a very traditional industry. Farmers struggle with finding methods to increase crop yield, modify growing conditions for plant species that are not native to Canada, reduce infestations, and improve harvesting efficiencies.

In the agriculture category, we find the Animal Husbandry category. Many farmers in Canada experiment with nutrition and genetics when raising breeds of animals that are not native to Canada, like Alpacas. These claimants need to ensure that they are incorporated in order to take advantage of the SR&ED tax credit program.

SR&ED Claims for Agriculture

If you answer yes to any of the following questions you could be sitting on an untapped refund.

• Is your farm incorporated? Do you have BN?
• Have you encountered technological obstacles or scientific uncertainties in the course of your work?
• Have you encountered challenges involving agricultural sciences, environment, plant or animal genetics or animal husbandry?
• Does your work involve horticulture, agronomy, viticulture, forestry, aqua culture & fisheries, dairy science or other agricultural sciences?
• Have you solved scientific problems by going beyond available knowledge, methods or standard practices?

SR&ED Eligibility for Farms

There are only 3 criteria for eligibility plus evidence:

• Scientific uncertainty or technological obstacle
• Scientific or technological advancement
• Systematic investigation
  • plus Technical content