Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz promoted billions of dollars in aid yesterday for struggling livestock producers, but farm groups were left to wonder whether the announcement contained any actual new money.

Ritz told reporters in a conference call the government will offer an extra $1 billion in loans through advanced payment programs. Producers could get up to $400,000 each, with the first $100,000 interest-free.

Ritz also said the government would be streaming more money through existing support programs such as AgriInvest and AgriStability, although he was short on specifics.

The money is aimed at helping pork and cattle producers, who have been walloped by rising feed costs as well as plummeting exports due to the strong Canadian dollar.

Farm groups, who weren't told of the announcement, were left scratching their heads, unclear as to how much help they are being offered.