AAFC extends AgriStability deadline

Apr 27, 2020

Canadian farmers have until July 3 to enrol

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Canadian farmers have more time to enrol in a federal business risk management program.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) announced it is extending the deadline for producers to enrol in the AgriStability program to July 3 without penalty.

The previous enrolment deadline was April 30.

The extension highlights the importance of the enrolment flexibility as federal, provincial and territorial governments needed to approve it.

Moving the deadline into July “will enable the program to help more farmers manage the impact of current market disruptions, increased expenses, and production challenges facing many farm operations,” AAFC said in its April 17 release.

About 51,000 Canadian farmers enrolled in the program in 2017, AAFC data from April 2019 indicates.

With the application extension in place, officials are urging farmers to think about signing up for the program.

“This extension will give more producers additional time to consider their risk management needs during this period of uncertainty,” David Marit, Saskatchewan’s minister of agriculture, said in an April 20 statement. “We understand the challenges the Saskatchewan agriculture industry is facing, and I encourage producers to consider the AgriStability program.”

Farms.com has reached out to Canadian farm organizations for comment on the enrolment extension.

Video: FLEECED! Sheep Shearer Hands Over Clippers!

It's sheep shearing day at Ewetopia Farms! ?? Our Dorset lambs and ewes are getting fleeced — and for the first time, our shearer hands over his clippers to a beginner. We finish shearing the last of our adult ewes and this year’s Dorset ewe lambs.

From moving the sheep between barns, loading them into chutes, and watching the wool come off, this is always one of the most satisfying days on the farm. But this video has a twist — we welcomed a new helper, Gian, who’s not only lending a hand but also learning how to shear! With guidance from our experienced shearer, he got a crash course in sheep shearing and even tried his hand at shearing a couple of lambs himself.

You’ll see firsthand how both teacher and student handled this unique challenge. Shearing is more than just removing wool — it’s about sheep health, comfort, and giving us a closer look at the flock. It’s always amazing to see the transformation from woolly sheep to freshly shorn ewes and lambs.