AgriStability

• What if I decide to purchase grain to fulfill my contract?
  

  In the event you cannot meet the obligations of the contract, you may decide to purchase inventory to fulfill the contract. The income and expense related to purchasing inventory to meet the shortfall of the contract is allowable, if the operation has the resources/capacity to produce the commodity at the amounts which are contracted.

  Click here to learn more or contact the AgriStability Call Centre at 1-866-270-8450.

• Is the expense to buy-out a grain contract allowable for AgriStability?
  

  Yes, however, it is the shortfall between the actual production amount the producer has the ability to deliver on and the volume committed to in the forward contract AgriStability will consider allowable. In situations where producers have not produced enough grain to fulfill their contracts, they are able to enter the expense incurred to buy out the shortfall of their contracts under code 9836 Commissions and Levies.  The shortfall represents only the quantity of the contract they were unable to fill, and not the cost to buy out the entire contract to obtain a better price. 

  Click here to learn more or contact the AgriStability Call Centre at 1-866-270-8450.

• What is considered a contract buy-out?
  

  This can vary from company to company, but in most cases, it is the difference between the amount the producer committed to deliver, and the actual amount they must meet for the commitments of the forward contract.

  Click here to learn more or contact the AgriStability Call Centre at 1-866-270-8450.

• What is AgriStability?
  

  AgriStability is designed to help farm operations facing large margin declines caused by production loss, increased costs or market conditions.

  AgriStability is an affordable, low-cost Business Risk Management (BRM) program offering:

  -protection for your whole farming operation
  -financial support to help offset large margin declines
  -personalized coverage based on your farm history
  -program information accessible anytime, anywhere with AgConnect

  AgriStability is a national program under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP) agreement on agriculture policy. CAP is a federal-provincial-territorial funding agreement that governs BRM programs, such as AgriStability and AgriInvest, to support Canadian agriculture.

• Why should I submit my 2020 AgriStability program forms early?
  

  Beat the rush and get your results sooner. Files are processed based on the order they are received. Submitting your 2020 program forms ahead of the deadline helps us process your files and any potential benefit payment quicker.

  
  Save time with AgConnect. When you submit files online through Agconnect, your information goes directly into SCIC's computer system, allowing work to begin on your file sooner. Contact our AgriStability Call Centre to set up your online account.

• How does removing the Reference Margin Limit impact my operation?
  

  The Reference Margin Limit (RML) has been removed from the AgriStability Program, retroactive to the 2020 Program year.

  Removal of the RML will allow the AgriStability Program to better support producers experiencing declines in farm income from factors such as production loss, increased costs and poor market conditions.

  Removing the RML will make the AgriStability Program more effective and equitable.

  Farming operations with low allowable expenses will see increased coverage and the opportunity to access larger benefits.

• What is an interim benefit?
  

  An interim benefit payment is an advance on your final AgriStability benefit payment. You can apply for an interim benefit if you need access to program funds before completing your program year.

  For 2021, Saskatchewan producers can apply for an interim benefit to receive 75 per cent of their estimated final benefit before completing their program year.

  The interim benefit is calculated based on the estimated margin decline or loss for the year when compared to the reference margin (historical average).

  Please call the AgriStability Call Centre at 1-866-270-8450 to apply and see if you may be eligible to receive an interim benefit.

• When can I submit 2020 program forms?
  

  The deadline to submit 2020 AgriStability program forms without penalty is September 30, 2021.

  Submitting program forms is part of the annual process for producers enrolled in AgriStability. The information provided determines whether each producer qualifies for a payment. It also ensures the farm’s reference margin, which payments are based upon, is up to date.

  Any 2020 program forms received after September 30, 2021, may be subject to a penalty fee. AgriStability benefits will be reduced by $500 per month; however, if no benefit is calculated, there is no penalty applied. Program forms, with penalty, must be submitted by December 31, 2021.

  Click here for more details»

• The weather isn’t cooperating. What are my insurance options?
  

  At SCIC, we are proud to provide a wide variety of insurance options for your farm. If unfavourable weather is impacting your farm, business risk management programs like AgriStability may help. To participate in AgriStability for the 2022 program year, please contact us before June 30, 2022, and request a new participant package. 

  If you are a Crop Insurance customer, you may have coverage within one of our Weather-Based Programs or be eligible for an Establishment Benefit on your crop.

  Contact us today to learn more about your coverage and business risk options available. We understand each farm operation is different and there are many options available to manage your farm’s risk. Our experts provide straight-forward, informed answers to your insurance questions.

• Can I be in both Crop Insurance and AgriStability?
  

  Absolutely! SCIC encourages producers to consider participating in both Crop Insurance and AgriStability Programs as part of a comprehensive risk management plan for their farming operation.

  With Crop Insurance, you have coverage for your crops from the start of seeding season until harvest is complete. Through AgriStability, you have even further coverage for other uncontrollable events throughout the year (such as rising input costs, falling commodity prices or unforeseen additional expenses. Since AgriStability accounts for the whole farm, the Program can provide benefit payments even if you also receive a Crop Insurance payment.

• When can I enrol in AgriStability?
  

  The deadline to enrol in AgriStabilty each year is April 30. For the 2021 program year the deadline to enrol has been extended to June 30, 2021. Producers enrolled in the program must pay their program fees by December 31 to be eligible to receive program benefits.

  To participate in AgriStability for the 2021 program year, please contact us and request a new participant package. 

• How can I join AgriStability?
  

  Applying for AgriStability is easy! Click here to request a call-back, contact your local SCIC office or call the AgriStability Call Centre (1-866-270-8450) and request a new participant package.

• How much does it cost to be in AgriStability?
  

  AgriStability is a low-cost Business Risk Management program. The program fee is $3.15 for every $1,000 of Contribution Reference Margin. A $55 fee is also applied to help cover administrative costs. All participants are given 30 days from the date on their Enrolment/Fee Notice or until the enrolment deadline whichever is later, to pay these fees without penalty.

• How has private insurance payments changed within the AgriStability Program?
  

   The AgriStability Program has changed how it treats private insurance payments (revenue).

  Previously, producers who received a private insurance payment had that revenue amount included in their AgriStability allowable income. Effective in the 2020 program year, this revenue will be excluded from the AgriStability benefit calculation; therefore, increasing a producer’s potential for an AgriStability benefit.

  The premium and any payment from private insurance will remain included in the reference margin.

• How does the private insurance benefit calculation affect Crop Insurance customers?
  

  Nothing will change with how premiums and payments from SCIC’s Crop Insurance Program are treated by AgriStability. Crop Insurance continues to be included as allowable income and expenses because the government contributes to a producer’s Crop Insurance premium. 

• What is a considered private insurance program within AgriStability calculations?
  

  For AgriStability, the "private insurance" programs applies to risk management programs where the producer pays the entire premium for their coverage, such as independent hail insurance, Global Ag Risk Solutions (GARS) gross revenue insurance and the Livestock Price Insurance Program (LPI).