drought soil

Canada’s farm safety net wasn’t built for this kind of drought

Experts say current business risk management (BRM) programs were not designed to help farmers through droughts that last multiple years

Canada’s business risk management programs were designed as a safety net for one-time shocks. Experts say multi-year droughts are exposing a structural gap — and the fix requires a fundamental shift from paying for losses to preventing them.

David Van Deynze, chief product officer with Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), speaks during the opening day of Manitoba Ag Days 2026. Photo: Alexis Stockford

Whole-farm insurance may cut premiums and boost coverage

A long-running MASC program combines crops into single insurance calculation, recognizing rotation choices that reduce risk

A whole-farm approach to crop insurance, such as the often-overlooked Crop Coverage Plus plan in Manitoba, may be better for some operations compared to the usual crop-by-crop option.



A trade war could be just as damaging to farmers as a drought, so business risk management programs should be adapted to reflect this, said Tyler McCann from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute. | Getty Images

Policy institute calls for open review of ag spending

It’s been 13 years since agricultural spending was reviewed, and some programs may no longer meet producer needs

A full-scale review of Canadian agricultural spending should be a top priority in this time of global uncertainty, said a new report from the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute.


(Manitoba Co-operator file photo by Alexis Stockford)

Drought leaves Canadian farmers unpaid

Failure of unlicensed companies, complaint deadline, insufficient security seen as holes in farm support

Hundreds of Canadian farmers have received delayed payments for their crops or not been paid at all, as a growing number of grain-buying firms declare bankruptcy amid drought and low commodity prices, according to interviews with dozens of farmers, a government agency, and a review of bankruptcy documents.

Photo: SusanneSchulz/iStock/Getty Images

Cereals withstood storms better: CCHA

Approximately 1,000 crop damage claims made from storms between June 23 and July 1

“Numerous early season storms have resulted in a number of claims for the industry,” CCHA Chairman Scott McQueen of Palliser Insurance said in a statement. “Cereals have generally fared better as many were hit in the grassy stages of development and minimal damage to the plant was caused with environmental conditions being favourable so that crops that were hit by hail are able to recover.”



Lower crop insurance premiums ahead

Lower crop insurance premiums ahead

Crop insurance changes were announced at Manitoba Ag Days on Jan. 16

Manitoba producers can expect lower crop insurance premiums on most products, attendees of Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn’s Manitoba Ag Days address heard Jan. 16. Average premiums for annual crops under AgriInsurance are expected to hit $16.21 per acre in 2024, down from $19.21 in 2023. It’s a good news-bad news scenario for producers. Speaking


Manitoba Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn.

Insurance pilot dished up for small veggie farms

Program to ease burden from minimum acreage requirements

More of Manitoba’s small vegetable farmers will have access to AgriInsurance this year. Growers that previously did not meet minimum acreage requirements under the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) will be able to bundle their crops to make up that gap, Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced at Manitoba Ag Days Jan. 16. Why it

Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew (seated) and Manitoba agriculture minister Ron Kostyshyn during the Jan. 16, 2024, announcement at Manitoba Ag Days.

Lower premiums, new pilot for veggies ahead for crop insurance

Crop insurance changes were announced at Manitoba Ag Days on Jan. 16

Manitoba producers can expect lower crop insurance premiums on most products, attendees of Ag Minister Ron Kostyshyn’s Manitoba Ag Days address heard Jan. 16. Average premiums for annual crops under AgriInsurance are expected to hit $16.21 per acre in 2024, down from $19.21 in 2023. It’s a good news, bad news scenario for producers. [VIDEO: