Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan Announce Support for Producers Through the 2026 AgriStability Program

CANADA, September 3 - Released on September 3, 2026

Today, Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced changes to the 2026 AgriStability Program to support producers impacted by excess moisture and localized flooding. 

“Farmers work hard to prepare for growing seasons, but extreme weather can quickly change realities on the ground,” MacDonald said. “That is why we are committed to supporting producers through our Business Risk Management programs to help with the adaptable support they need to navigate unpredictability and protect their farms.” 

"Excess moisture and flooding created challenging conditions for many Saskatchewan producers early in the growing season," Marit said. "Saskatchewan producers are resilient and our Business Risk Management programs are designed to help them manage uncertainty. These changes provide additional flexibility to help producers make decisions that best support their operations."

Late participation for the 2026 AgriStability Program year is now available for Saskatchewan producers. Producers who did not enrol by the April 30 deadline can still participate in the program with a reduced benefit. Producers who wish to participate through late participation must join by October 1, 2026.  

Additionally, the interim payment rate for Saskatchewan producers is increasing from 50 per cent to 75 per cent of the estimated final benefit. The AgriStability interim payment can help producers' cash flow by providing them with an advance on their final AgriStability benefit to help support production losses and/or increased costs.

"Saskatchewan producers are managing circumstances beyond their control, and timely, responsive business-risk-management programs are essential," SARM President Bill Huber said. "These measures are a positive step that recognizes the real impacts of wet conditions on farm operations. SARM looks forward to continued work with federal and provincial governments to build greater flexibility and meaningful improvements into AgriStability and other risk-management programs so they can respond sooner and more effectively to the diverse and evolving risks facing producers." 

"Sask Wheat appreciates the advocacy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister Marit and the Government of Canada for producers' best interests, especially in a year with unique challenges with wet spring conditions," Sask Wheat Board Chair Jocelyn Velestuk said. "The changes to AgriStability can now take into consideration the unseeded acres due to extremely wet conditions at seeding time or flooded out acres. The losses from not being able to grow canola, cattle feed or any other crop on those acres do affect farm businesses' bottom lines."

"We appreciate the Government of Saskatchewan's and Government of Canada's attention to the risk-management tools available to producers," SaskOilseeds Board Chair Dean Roberts said. "With farms facing another challenging year, the extended deadline gives farmers more time to assess whether AgriStability is right for their operation. While it may not fit every farm, it remains an important part of the risk-management options available to producers."

“We appreciate the federal and provincial governments providing additional flexibility and increasing the interim benefit for producers dealing with production challenges caused by excess moisture and flooding," Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association President Kelly Williamson said. "These changes will help provide timely support to producers facing difficult growing conditions.”  

"Saskatchewan beekeepers are facing significant production challenges this year due to cool, wet conditions that affected honeybee populations and honey yields," Saskatchewan Beekeepers Development Commission President Simon Lalonde said. "We appreciate the federal and provincial governments' efforts to provide additional flexibility through AgriStability. The extended deadline and enhanced support measures give beekeepers more time to assess the impacts of this difficult season and determine the business risk-management tools that best support their operations."

AgriStability support can help offset the impacts of excess moisture and localized flooding. The AgriStability Program uses margins to determine if producers are eligible for benefit payments. AgriStability takes into account the change in inventory from one year to the next. 

• Any grain or feed inventory loss is factored into the margin calculation, reducing the program year margin, which improves the potential for a program benefit. 
• For livestock, any animals lost due to flooding will impact the inventory on the farm as well as the revenues for the operation. These reductions will be reflected in the AgriStability margin calculation. In addition, if producers have to purchase alternative feed due to flooding on pastures, those expenses are allowable under the AgriStability Program. 
• Land too wet to seed or land that was seeded and then flooded will also be captured by the AgriStability Program. In both situations, AgriStability will account for the lost production on the farm and will capture those losses in the margin calculation. 

For more information, producers can contact the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) at 1-866-270-8450 or visit scic.ca. 

AgriStability protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income for reasons such as production loss, increased costs and market conditions. It is one of the Business Risk Management programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.

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