Saskatchewan crop and livestock producers will benefit from significant enhancements to the AgriStability program for the 2025 program year, aimed at bolstering farm protection in the face of trade uncertainty and dry weather conditions.
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison jointly announced the temporary changes following a recent meeting of Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers.
Key improvements include a one-time increase in the AgriStability compensation rate from 80% to 90%. This means participating producers will now receive 90 cents for every dollar of eligible margin decline. Additionally, the payment cap has doubled from $3 million to $6 million per operation for 2025, offering larger operations greater support.
“These changes strengthen our support for producers and help ensure the long-term viability of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector,” said Minister Harrison.
Looking ahead to 2026, permanent adjustments are being made to how feed inventory is valued for livestock operations. The change ensures inventories used on-farm are accurately reflected, particularly during years of drought. Also under review for 2026 is the inclusion of feed expenses from rented pasture as allowable expenses—an item long advocated for by industry groups.
Farm organizations across the province welcomed the announcement. Representatives from SARM, the Saskatchewan Cattle Association, and the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association all voiced support, highlighting the urgent need for updated risk management tools in light of rising input costs and extreme weather patterns.
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) is reminding producers that the deadline to enroll in AgriStability for 2025 has been extended to July 31. With time to assess the impact of these updates, producers are encouraged to evaluate the benefits the program can offer their operations.
For more information, producers can contact SCIC at 1-866-270-8450.
