Farmers can save on crop insurance by planting perennial forages
Winnipeg/CMEDIA: Heath MacDonald, Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister, and Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Agriculture Minister have announced a new pilot program, the Forage Advantage pilot, introduced by the Governments of Canada and Manitoba to help farmers adopt sustainable practices while saving money.
Starting in the 2026 crop year a 15% discount on Forage Establishment Insurance premiums would be received by Manitoba farmers who plant perennial forage crops on lands classified as marginal, meaning areas that struggle to produce annual crops due to issues like poor soil, salinity, erosion, or excess moisture.
Farmers who choose Forage Establishment Insurance and plant forage on these acres will automatically receive the premium discount.
Subject to the forage in production the following year, farmers can also qualify for discounts on Basic or Select Hay Insurance or Forage Seed Insurance through the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) AgriInsurance program.
These programs protect against yield losses caused by natural hazards like drought, excess moisture, and disease.
Both farmers and the environment are benefited by planting forage on marginal land by improving soil fertility, enhancing water filtration, reducing weeds and disease, and increasing carbon sequestration.
While supporting pollinators and biodiversity, forage crops also help farms become more resilient to climate change.
Funding for the Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) program has also been increased by $500,000 by the governments of Canada and Manitoba.
Delivered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, SAM helps farmers adopt innovative practices in cropland, livestock, and water management—such as planting perennial cover on sensitive lands and complementing the Forage Advantage pilot and strengthening farm resilience.
To strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector, The Sustainable CAP is a 5-year investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments.
“The Forage Advantage pilot reflects our governments’ shared commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture. By encouraging farmers to establish perennial forage on marginal land, we’re supporting practices that improve soil health, enhance water management, and increase biodiversity, all of which strengthen farmland resilience against climate change,” Heath has said.
“The Forage Advantage pilot supports the Manitoba government’s mandate to foster innovation and research in the agricultural sector…encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices…increasing funding for the SAM program, we are helping even more Manitoba farmers adopt sustainable practices…reinforces our commitment to growing a strong and environmentally responsible agriculture sector in the province” Ron Kostyshyn has said.
