Weather extremes, rising input costs, market volatility, and supply chain disruptions can all have a serious impact on a farm’s bottom line. AgriStability is designed to help producers manage these challenges by providing whole farm income protection when it’s needed most.
The deadline to enrol in AgriStability is April 30. Enrolling by this date ensures coverage for the current program year and protects operations against unexpected income declines.
Protecting against a range of risks
- Significant drops in profitability. AgriStability offers support when a farm experiences a significant drop in overall profitability. If a producer’s margin falls by more than 30 per cent compared to their historical average, the program provides financial assistance to help offset the loss.
- Entire farm operation coverage. Because it is based on the entire farm operation — not a single crop or commodity — AgriStability is especially valuable for Alberta’s diversified crop and livestock producers.
- Outside other coverage. AgriStability is that it protects against a wide range of risks, filling gaps by covering losses that fall outside commodity-specific insurance.
For more complete protection and a layered risk management strategy, AgriStability is an important backstop alongside other risk management programs.
How does it work?
If a farm’s profit margin drops below 70 per cent of its historical average, AgriStability steps in. The program covers 80 cents for every dollar lost, helping producers manage financial stress during difficult years.
Participation costs are relatively low compared to the potential benefits, making it an affordable safety net for farms of all sizes.
Recent improvements – predictable, accessible, responsive
Recent improvements have made the program more predictable and easier to access. Options to align reporting with tax filing reduce paperwork and accounting costs, while coverage notices help producers better understand the level of protection available before a loss occurs.
Additionally, changes for the 2026 program year aim to make coverage more responsive to the realities of livestock production. Starting in 2026, pasture rent will count as an allowable expense and the valuation of opening and closing inventories for eligible crops fed on farm will be based on the fair value at the end of the year.
Take another look
AgriStability plays an important role in strengthening the resilience of Alberta’s agricultural sector. By enrolling before the April 30 deadline and including AgriStability as part of a broader risk management plan, producers can better protect their operations, their livelihoods, and their long-term viability.
It’s time to take another look at AgriStability and see if it’s the right fit for your farming operation. To learn more, please contact an insurance relationship manager at your preferred AFSC branch office, call the Client Care Centre at 1.877.899.2372 or email info@afsc.ca
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