Support program changes to assist Saskatchewan producers impacted by flooding

Farm groups are applauding the changes. SARM President Bill Huber said farmers are managing circumstances beyond their control, and timely, responsive business-risk-management programs are essential.

“These measures are a positive step that recognizes the real impacts of wet conditions on farm operations,” Huber said. “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 Board Chair Jocelyn Velestuk praised the advocacy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Minister David Marit and the federal government for producers’ best interests, especially in a year with unique challenges with wet spring conditions.

“The changes to AgriStability can now take into consideration the unseeded acres due to extremely wet conditions at seeding time or flooded out acres,” she said. “The losses from not being able to grow canola, cattle feed or any other crop on those acres do affect farm businesses’ bottom lines.”

SaskOilseeds Board Chair Dean Roberts said while it may not fit every farm, it remains an important part of the risk-management options available to producers.

“We appreciate the Government of Saskatchewan’s and Government of Canada’s attention to the risk-management tools available to producers,” Roberts said. “With farms facing another challenging year, the extended deadline gives farmers more time to assess whether AgriStability is right for their operation.”

“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 Development Commission President Simon Lalonde said beekeepers are facing significant production challenges this year due to cool, wet conditions that affected honeybee populations and honey yields. He said 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.

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.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

by Alice McFarlane

Support program changes to assist Saskatchewan producers impacted by flooding

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