Ag Ministers agree to Agri-Stability changes

A news release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada re-iterated an announcement from earlier this year that for the 2025 program year only, the compensation rate goes up from 80% to 90% and the maximum payment limit increases from $3 million to $6 million. 

Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation will be implementing those changes immediately, according to a news release from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture.

For the 2026 program year, Agri-Stability is adjusting the feed inventory pricing for livestock producers, so it "appropriately captures the feed inventory valuation method for inventories destined to be used on farm and not sold" the provincial Ag Ministry said.

The Ag Ministers are also looking to include feed costs associated with rented pasture as an allowable expense in advance of the 2026 program year, then report back on the progress made at next September's annual meeting.

In addition to re-iterating their commitment to improving business risk management programs to meet current challenges farmers face, the group also discussed ways to increase inter-provincial trade of food. 

Ideas include enhanced support from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for small to medium-sized businesses wanting to market food products nation-wide under a federal food licence, increasing slaughter capacity where possible in regions with restricted access to services, and allowing inter-provincial trade of low-risk manufactured foods without a federal licence.