David Marit. (submitted photo/Ministry of Agriculture)

By Alice McFarlane

AgriStability enrolment deadline extended to July

Apr 20, 2020 | 3:45 PM

Federal, provincial and territorial governments have agreed to give farmers more time to consider a business risk management program.

The deadline to enroll in AgriStability has been extended without penalty to July 3.

Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said producers need to consider the impact of current market disruptions, increased expenses and production challenges facing their farms.

“To give producers an opportunity to revisit it or look at it in light of what’s going on, obviously with COVID-19,” he said. “It will give an opportunity for producers to look at re-evaluating their business risk, and just seeing if there’s something they may want to reconsider.”

AgriStability is a risk management program offering financial assistance to producers who experience large margin declines due to any combination of production loss, adverse market conditions or increased costs. Coverage is personalized for each farm by using historical data to calculate a program year margin and a reference margin.

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A number of farm groups say AgriStability is inadequate and needs improvements. Marit said some changes have been made with regards to private insurance.

“If you have a hail claim or any other type of private insurance claim, that won’t come in as a revenue stream against your AgriStability. That really can help but it really shouldn’t have been there in the first place. But I’m glad to see it that’s gone,” he said. “We’re looking at proposals now. Hopefully we can do some things real soon.”

Marit said when you start changing programs there’s a cost that comes with it and all provinces are considering the financial implications. He said the pandemic is making it difficult for a lot of jurisdictions. He also said some of these issues are the responsibility of the federal government.

“We have calls every week with the federal minister. Whether we find new money or whether we revert money that’s already in these programs and see how we can do things differently,” he said.

To assist with cash flow and financial stability, participants in the AgriStability Program can apply for an interim benefit. Producers receive a portion of their AgriStability benefit early to help support losses and cover costs before completing their fiscal year.

Saskatchewan producers can provide all the necessary information over the phone. Producers can also complete the short contact form to begin the application process and request a call back from AgriStability staff.

SCIC AgriStability staff are available to assist producers over the phone at 1-866-270-8450 or through email.

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alice.mcfarlane@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @AliceMcF