The federal and Manitoba governments have unveiled a new incentive program aimed at helping farmers adopt more sustainable practices while reducing their costs.
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced the Forage Advantage pilot last week, describing it as a step toward strengthening agricultural resilience in the face of climate change.
Beginning with the 2026 crop year, Manitoba farmers who plant perennial forage crops on marginal land will receive a 15% discount on Forage Establishment Insurance (FEI) premiums. Once the forage is established, producers can also qualify for reduced premiums on Basic or Select Hay Insurance or Forage Seed Insurance through the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s AgriInsurance program, said a provincial release. The insurance products help protect farmers against losses caused by drought, excess moisture, disease, and other natural hazards.
According to the release, perennial forage crops bring a range of environmental benefits, particularly on marginal acres that struggle to produce annual crops due to issues such as poor soil quality, salinity, erosion, or excess moisture. Planting forage improves soil structure and fertility, enhances filtration, boosts carbon sequestration, and helps suppress weeds and disease.
Farmers who enroll in FEI and seed forage on marginal land will automatically receive the premium discount.
Manitoba has also increased funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) program by $500,000, the release said. SAM helps farmers adopt innovative practices in cropland, livestock and water management such as planting perennial cover on sensitive lands.
