Federal Ag Minister Pleased With FPT Progress On AgriStability

Mar 31, 2021

Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau is very happy with the progress that was made during last week's Federal, Provincial and Territorial Agriculture Ministers meeting.

The Province's agreeing to parts of Ottawa's proposal from November, which will see AgriStability's Reference Margin Limit removed and a decision to make it retroactive to 2020.

Bibeau says she is disappointed that they could not reach an agreement on increasing AgriStabilitys compensation rate to 80%.

The Province's and the agriculture sector are calling on Ottawa to leave it's 60% share of the proposed increase on the table, so Province's can top it up if they are able too.

Bibeau notes that's not how the program works and all provinces originally agreed to it.

"The rule is if we want to make a change, we have to contribute the federal 60%, the provinces 40%, and we have to reach a consensus of at least two thirds of the provinces in terms of participation as well."

Another key change the province's did agree to was extending the AgriStability sign up deadline to June 30th.

Click here to see more...

Video: Veteran Farmers: A Legacy of Service in Rural America

Veterans Day is a time to honor the men and women who have selflessly protected our freedoms and values. And for some, the transition from military service to civilian life brings them back to the farm.

At Farm Bureau, we believe it’s important to not only celebrate veterans but also those who continue to make a difference in agriculture and their community. We've partnered with Farm Credit to establish the Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence to shine a light on those who have continued to go above and beyond to serve their communities.

This year, we recognize retired Colonel Joe Ricker as the inaugural Veteran Farmer Award of Excellence winner. Joe served over 30 years in the Army before retiring from the Pentagon and completing tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Since leaving the Army, his commitment to excellence in farming and enriching the lives of veterans has blossomed in a myriad of ways in both his local community of Wilkinson, Indiana, and across the country. Joe grows apples and raises bees on his farm in Indiana. Joe founded “Veterans IN Farming,” an organization, now with more than 1,100 members, dedicated to providing veterans in Indiana with the tools and training to succeed in agriculture.

The American Farm Bureau Federation is an independent, non-governmental, voluntary organization, comprised of and directed by farm and ranch families who engage in all types of food, fuel and fiber production.