Time is running out for some farmers to enrol in Ontario’s Risk Management Program.

"I can’t stress enough that producers enrol in the risk management plan," said Lindsay crop farmer and soybean growers district 12 director Joe Hickson. "There are a lot of people sitting on the fence and dangling their feet. It’s not perfect but it’s the only game in town. If (farmers) flush this we don’t stand a hope in hell of getting another program."

The provincial government launched the Risk Management Program in August last year as a three-year pilot program to compensate grain and oilseed producers for low commodity prices. A farmer who hasn’t enrolled, has until May 1 for partial coverage.

"We asked for this program for four years," Hickson said. "If we turn around and say we don’t want it, why would the politicians listen to us the next time around?"

The program lacks federal support "but to be fair to the province, they gave us exactly what we asked for."

"The minster has said use it or lose it," noted Ontario Federation of Agriculture president and Spencerville farmer Geri Kamenz. Should farmers enrol? "Absolutley," Kamenz said. "It is the risk management that you have been working toward for a number of years. Use it."

He agreed many farmers are showing reluctance. "The hesitation is no secret," he said, explaining that farmers see this as another cost, like rising insurance and energy. The difference, however, is that "it’s security."

Payments are triggered when the market price for grain and oilseed crop falls below determined prices. For 2007, the prices are as follows: