January 21, 2026
Governments of Canada and Manitoba Announce Lower AgriInsurance Premiums, Making Life More Affordable for Producers
The governments of Canada and Manitoba have launched a new pilot program that rewards farmers for adopting sustainable management practices with lower premiums as part of the 2026 AgriInsurance program, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.
“AgriInsurance is a vital tool for Manitoba producers, helping them manage risk and stay resilient in the face of unpredictable challenges,” said MacDonald. “By working closely with the Manitoba government, we’re ensuring farmers have the support they need to protect their operations as they adapt to changing conditions and can continue growing the high-quality food Canadians rely on.”
The 2026 AgriInsurance program, administered by Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC), features updated crop insurance dollar values and will provide Manitoba farmers with predictable coverage for crop production and quality losses caused by natural perils, helping them manage risk and plan confidently for the upcoming growing season.
Total coverage for 2026 is expected to reach $4.3 billion, and farmers will benefit from lower premium rates for most insurable crops. For annual crops, the average premium for producers will be $11.46 per acre in 2026, compared to $13.01 per acre in 2025.
“Manitoba farmers continue to face challenges from unpredictable weather and global market volatility,” said Kostyshyn. “AgriInsurance helps protect their investments and provides a foundation for long-term success. We’re proud to introduce enhancements that reward sustainable practices and expand coverage to meet farmers’ evolving needs.”
As part of its ongoing efforts to support sustainability, MASC is piloting the Forage Advantage incentive, offering a 15 per cent discount on Forage Establishment Insurance premiums for perennial forage crops grown on designated land. Additional discounts may apply to Basic or Select Hay Insurance or Forage Seed Insurance once the forage crop enters production the following year. The 2026 program also includes new coverage for meadow fescue grown for seed.
The AgriInsurance program is designed to provide predictable protection for producers against natural perils such as drought, excess moisture or other extreme weather event, as well as diseases and pests. Manitoba maintains a high level of participation, with over 90 per cent of annual crop acres and more than 7,300 farms enrolled in the program.
Also, for the 2026 crop year, the list of damaging species will be expanding as part of the Wildlife Damage Compensation program. This change will lead to compensation for crop damage caused by blackbirds and raccoons, and livestock injury or death caused by vultures, eagles, hawks, ravens and other corvidae species.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba support AgriInsurance and Wildlife Damage Compensation under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
For more information on AgriInsurance, contact a MASC Service Centre or visit www.masc.mb.ca.
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