Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers dealing with drought conditions will receive added support this season as both levels of government move to ease the pressure on producers facing feed shortages.
On Thursday, federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison announced that the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) will double low yield appraisal thresholds for insured crops affected by drought. The move aims to make more feed available by allowing farmers to divert low-yielding crops for livestock use without affecting their insurance coverage.
“I’ve spoken with livestock and crop producers in Saskatchewan who are worried about the impact that dry conditions could have this year,” said MacDonald. “Changing the yield threshold will give them some breathing room, so they can make the best decisions for their operations.”
Under the revised measure, if an insured crop’s appraised yield falls below the new, higher threshold, it will be assessed at zero yield for insurance purposes, enabling producers to use the crop for grazing, baling, or silage without penalty. Producers must receive approval from SCIC before diverting crops to feed, and all qualifying acres must be used as livestock feed and not harvested.
"In multiple areas throughout the province, our livestock producers are facing challenges from this year's dry conditions," Harrison said. "There is a need to quickly adapt to best support producers' timely, on-farm decisions. In 2021 and 2023, this same initiative was successfully implemented, resulting in over half a million acres of additional low yield crop redirected to feed. Once again, livestock producers are encouraged to work directly with neighbouring crop producers to access additional feed."
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Industry groups welcomed the announcement, pointing to the urgent need for relief.
“This announcement is welcome news for our livestock producers,” said SARM President Bill Huber. “As in past years, it will help address feed shortages so many ranchers are experiencing. Timely support like this is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the sector in this province.”
"We appreciate governments recognizing and meeting the need to support access to feed," said Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association President Jeff Yorga. "There are producers struggling with drought conditions. They are assessing and adjusting crop and feed requirements. This action taken helps our producers make those important decisions in a timely fashion. As we move forward, I strongly encourage producers to directly connect with each other to coordinate access to any additional feed made available through this change."
In addition to the doubled low yield appraisal, other supports are available. The AgriStability program can help producers cover losses and additional expenses, such as the cost of purchasing feed. The deadline to enroll in AgriStability for the 2025 program year has been extended to July 31. The program also includes an Interim Benefit option that allows producers to access a portion of their benefit before the program year ends.
Livestock producers who insured pasture acres through the Forage Rainfall Insurance Program will begin receiving claim payments starting July 15, 2025. These payments are based on weather data and are expected to provide timely financial relief in areas that received below-average rainfall.
For mental health and emotional support, the Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line is available 24/7 at 1-800-667-4442. The service is confidential and operated by Mobile Crisis Services in Regina.