Due to ongoing drought and wildfires, agricultural producers in Alberta have more time to enroll in a government risk management program.
The Government of Alberta, along with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, announced Aug. 4 the reopening of enrollment into the AgriStability program, giving producers until Sept. 29 to sign up for the program.
RJ Sigurdson, minister of agriculture and irrigation and Highwood MLA, said farmers and ranchers need support this season.
“Allowing late participation in AgriStability will enable them to reassess their business risks and make an informed decision about signing up to protect their operations and livelihoods,” Sigursdon said.
The program is offered through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), a shared commitment between federal, provincial and territorial governments.
The previous enrollment deadline was in the spring.
Enrollment can provide access to credit options like the federal Advanced Payments Program, the announcement said.
Producers in Alberta can sign up and access benefits through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation if they believe they have experienced a significant loss this season.
“Alberta’s producers have shown great resiliency,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal minister of agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“We want to ensure they have the time they need to make decisions that are right for their business,” MacAulay said.
Any potential benefit takes into account factors like reduced income, increased expenses or reduced inventory.
Foothills County is one of several municipalities in Alberta that declared an agricultural disaster for drought, doing so on July 28.
The declaration serves to bring awareness of challenging conditions agricultural producers are facing to various levels of government and the public.
