More and more farmers have been opting out of AgriStability because the program has been paying out less when the harvest is poor — especially for low-cost producers.

New ag policy aims to sweeten the AgriStability pot

More farmers have been opting out of the farm-income support 
program after changes in 2013 reduced the potential payout

Reading Time: 4 minutes CAP is a rather fitting acronym for the recently announced Canadian Agricultural Partnership, the latest government ‘policy framework’ that governs its farm support programs. “That’s a very easy way for people to remember the two major changes that have come about here,” said Steve Funk, director of farm income programs at MNP. “They’ve capped the […] Read more

Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and his Saskatchewan counterpart Lyle Stewart signed onto a general agreement for a five-year federal/provincial funding framework on July 21. (Saskatchewan.ca)

Ministers agree on new ag funding framework

Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial ministers for agriculture have agreed on the bones of a new five-year policy funding framework, committing them to a review of its business risk management (BRM) programming. The ministers came out of three days of meetings Friday in St. John’s with the “key elements” of a five-year, $3 billion framework, […] Read more


(Quinoa.com)

CCGA cash advance applications out early

Among other changes to the program, applications are available earlier this year for spring cash advances through the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). The CCGA on Thursday announced it’s now accepting applications for the 2017-18 advance payments program (APP), which offers cash advances on 45 different crop and livestock commodities. The CCGA is the administrative […] Read more

Deadline extended for cash advances

Deadline extended for cash advances

Applications will be accepted until March 2017

Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers unable to harvest their 2016 crops may be eligible for a cash advance under a revised application deadline. The Canadian Canola Growers Association will accept new seeded cash advance applications until March 2017. “This deadline change applies equally to farmers already enrolled in the 2016 program, as well as those who are applying for […] Read more


New version of cattle cash advance program

New version of cattle cash advance program

Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada recently announced a new version of cash advances for cattle using coverage under the Western Livestock Price Insurance Program (WLPIP). Under the Advance Payments Program, producers can receive up to $400,000 in advances with the interest on the first $100,000 paid by the government. Advances can be obtained on calves, feeders, […] Read more

Agristability application window closing

Deadline for applications is April 30

Reading Time: < 1 minute The deadline for enrolling in AgriStability is just days away. “AgriStability provides ‘whole-farm’ coverage for all commodities and perils that are not necessarily covered through other forms of insurance. Coverage is specific to your farm operation,” said Norm Gueutal, AFSC team co-ordinator, adding the program is a low-cost way to manage risk. “Fees are based on […] Read more


Improving grain transportation and trade top the new Liberal government’s agricultural agenda.  Photo: Allan Dawson

New Liberal government has lots on its ag ‘to do’ list

Manitoba Co-operator – Grain transportation and trade top of the new Liberal government’s agricultural agenda, says veteran Saskatchewan MP and former agriculture minister Ralph Goodale. Other priorities include determining if farm aid programs are adequate, investing in infrastructure to protect soil and water and refocusing the government’s role in scientific research. The Canadian Wheat Board […] Read more

(FarmBoy Productions/AGCanada.com)

Supply management the hot button at ag debate

CNS Canada — Representatives from Canada’s five main parties met Wednesday in Ottawa to discuss and debate farm policy ranging from risk management to transportation and rural infrastructure ahead of the Oct. 19 federal election. The hot button issue of the debate, however, was Canada’s supply management systems for dairy, poultry and eggs. The topic […] Read more


No word on farm aid until after harvest

No word on farm aid until after harvest

Livestock producers have a tax deferral option, but government waiting to see if crop insurance is adequate

Reading Time: 3 minutes Crop producers will have to wait until after harvest to find out if there is any government drought assistance, says the president of the Grain Growers of Canada. The question of additional farm aid was put to Oneil Carlier, the new NDP agriculture minister, when he attended an Alberta Wheat Commission directors’ meeting in Red […] Read more

(VealFarm.com)

Quebec to halt ASRA for veal sector

Quebec’s farm finance and funding agency plans to remove the veal sector from the province’s ASRA income stabilization program starting next year. La Financiere agricole du Quebec (FADQ) announced Friday that its board had agreed to end ASRA (Assurance stabilisation des revenus agricoles) coverage for Quebec’s milk-fed veal calf operations, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Affected producers, after that […] Read more