Saskatchewan producers to see changes for 2025 AgriStability program

WATCH: To help deal with trade uncertainty and drought, temporary changes to the AgriStability program have been announced. Jacob Carr reports.

Big changes are coming to Saskatchewan’s AgriStability program, in response international trade and weather-related concerns from producers.

For the 2025 program year only, producers will see an increase from 80 per cent to 90 per cent in their compensation rates. This will translate to producers receiving 90 cents on ever dollar of eligible margin decline.

Additionally, the maximum payment cap is doubling from $3 million to $6 million.

Beginning in 2026, AgriStability will see adjustments to the feed inventory pricing for livestock producers. The change is aimed at ensuring program calculations properly reflect realties on the farm.

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The changes were announced following a meeting between federal, provincial and territorial ministers of agriculture.

“Supporting producers with immediate changes to AgriStability increases the effectiveness of the program,” provincial Minister of Agriculture Daryl Harrison said.

“Reliable and effective business risk management programs help protect against large declines in producers’ margins and are an important tool for a strong agricultural sector in Saskatchewan.”

Representatives from the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), the Saskatchewan Cattle Association (SCA), the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association and the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) all shared messages in support of the changes.

The changes come as trade concerns continue with the United States and China. Continued drought conditions in the southwest has led to several rural municipalities declaring states of emergency.

According to the province, from 2018 to 2023, AgriStability has paid more than $645 million in benefits.

The deadline to enrol in AgriStability has been extended to July 31, 2025.