Canadian livestock producers will see changes to a key federal risk-management program starting in the 2026 program year, after governments moved to better reflect the realities of modern livestock operations.
A federal government release on Wednesday said federal, provincial and territorial agriculture ministers have agreed to amend AgriStability guidelines to allow pasture-related feed costs as an eligible expense, a change aimed at improving fairness for producers facing rising costs.
Under the revised guidelines, pasture-related feed costs will be recognized as allowable expenses when calculating AgriStability support. That adjustment is designed to better capture the true cost structure of grazing-based operations, particularly at a time when producers are contending with higher input prices and tighter margins.
Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald said the update will help ensure the program provides more equitable support for livestock operations that rely on rented pastureland. Cow-calf, sheep, and goat farmers in particular rely heavily on rented pastureland, the release said.
AgriStability is a business risk-management program that protects farmers against large income declines caused by production losses, rising costs or adverse market conditions. By broadening the range of eligible expenses, governments say the program will be more responsive to differences in how livestock operations are structured across the country.
The change follows a commitment made by agriculture ministers at their July 2025 meeting and is part of a broader effort to strengthen farm safety-net programs.
