Federal and provincial agriculture ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to Saskatchewan's agricultural sector, announcing the continuation of funding for the 2026 Crop Insurance Program. This joint initiative aims to support producers facing ongoing challenges, particularly from drought conditions that have significantly impacted the region.
Program Details and Application Deadline
The Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) administers the program, which is designed to help farmers manage production risks and strengthen the province's agricultural economy. Saskatchewan producers must apply, reinstate, cancel, or make changes to their crop insurance contracts by March 31, 2026. If no action is taken, coverage from the previous year will automatically continue for 2026.
Substantial Claims Paid to Producers
SCIC CEO Jeff Morrow revealed on Friday that approximately $8 billion in claims have been paid out across Saskatchewan over the last five years. The southwest region accounted for roughly $1.8 billion of those claims, highlighting the severe impact of drought conditions in that area.
"These programs continue to evolve to ensure coverage accurately reflects local conditions and give producers the tools they need to make ongoing business decisions," said federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald in an official news release.
Enhanced Coverage for Challenging Years
Morrow explained the program's adaptive features, noting that after two consecutive challenging years, coverage cushions yields to 70 percent of previous levels. This adjustment maintains more stable and relevant coverage for producers facing back-to-back difficulties.
"So what it does is keep the coverage more stable and more relevant for those who have faced back-to-back challenges," Morrow emphasized during the announcement.
Growing Participation and Program Evolution
Participation in the Crop Insurance Program has increased significantly over the past decade. More than 85 percent of seeded acres were insured through the program in 2025, compared to just 75 percent ten years earlier.
Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit stated at a Friday news conference that the program continues to benefit producers hit hard by drought conditions. "SCIC's programs are built to support producers in managing risk and making confident, forward-looking decisions. Reliable coverage not only strengthens individual operations but also contributes to the long-term economic growth of Saskatchewan's agriculture sector," Marit said.
New Forage Insurance Program
The announcement also highlighted the introduction of a new Satellite Forage Insurance program in 2026, which replaces the previous Forage Rainfall Insurance Program. This updated initiative measures soil moisture and vegetation growth using satellite technology to better manage forage risk for ranchers and farmers.
Industry Support and Future Outlook
Bill Huber, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, expressed support for the continued funding, stating in a news release that "crop insurance is one of the tools available to help operations manage production risk and plan for the future" while keeping agricultural businesses strong.
Bill Prybylski, president of Saskatchewan's Agricultural Producers Association, noted that recent snowstorms across the province have provided encouraging moisture for upcoming crops. He expressed hope for additional spring snowstorms to further improve soil conditions before the growing season.
This funding announcement marks 65 years of SCIC supporting Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers with business risk management programs, demonstrating the long-term commitment to the province's agricultural stability and growth.
