Updated October 2026 · Verified against Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) — delivered federally (MB, NL, NS, NB, NWT, YT) or provincially (BC, AB, SK, ON, QC, PEI) guidelines
▲ Growing ✓ First-Timer Friendly Advance Payment Est. 2008
Program Federal Active

AgriStability Program

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) — delivered federally (MB, NL, NS, NB, NWT, YT) or provincially (BC, AB, SK, ON, QC, PEI)
Maximum Funding
Up to $3,000,000
Annual enrollment — 2027 program year enrollment deadline: April 30, 2027
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Difficulty
Moderate
Payment
Advance Payment
Trend
Growing
First-Timers
Friendly ✓
Co-Funding
Varies
AgriStability Program provides Up to $3,000,000 per program year (the lesser of $3M or 70% of your margin decline); 80% compensation on the decline beyond 30%. For the 2025 program year only, 90% and $6M applied. Margin-based income protection program that compensates Canadian farmers when their production margin falls more than 30% below their historical reference margin — due to production loss, increased costs, or market conditions. Annual enrollment — 2027 program year enrollment deadline: April 30, 2027.

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Eligibility & Details

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Program Description

Margin-based income protection program that compensates Canadian farmers when their production margin falls more than 30% below their historical reference margin — due to production loss, increased costs, or market conditions. Standard coverage is 80% compensation on the decline beyond 30%, up to the lesser of $3,000,000 or 70% of the margin decline. The 2025 program year only ran an enhanced 90% rate and $6,000,000 cap; that enhancement has ended. Annual enrollment required. Part of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership Business Risk Management suite.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Farm in Canada with at least 6 months of consecutive farming activity and a completed production cycle
  • Report farming income to the Canada Revenue Agency
  • Annual enrollment by April 30 each year
  • Payment of required enrollment fee
  • Eligible for individuals, corporations, co-operatives, trusts, and communal organizations
  • Available in all provinces and territories
  • Must have completed a production cycle (waivable for disasters). Sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations all eligible. Ineligible: government-funded organizations, research stations, universities, colleges, landlords receiving crop-share rental income, dissolved corporations, federal public office holders in conflict-of-interest non-compliance. Aquaculture, forestry, peat moss, game, cannabis excluded commodities.
Provinces
All Provinces
Industries
Agriculture
Business Stage
Startup Growth Established Expansion

Quick Assessment

Difficulty
Moderate
Competition
Low
First-Timer
Friendly

Funding Details

Amount
Up to $3,000,000 per program year (the lesser of $3M or 70% of your margin decline); 80% compensation on the decline beyond 30%. For the 2025 program year only, 90% and $6M applied.
Type
Program
Level
Federal
Deadline
Annual enrollment — 2027 program year enrollment deadline: April 30, 2027

Program Scorecard

Competition, effort, and approval at a glance

Competition
Low
Deadline
Apr 30, 2027
Approval
Moderate
Accessibility
4/5

Accessible — straightforward requirements

Competition
1/5

Low competition — good odds of approval

Difficulty
3/5

Moderate — standard requirements

Approval Rate
Processing Time
Budget Trend
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How to Win

Insider tips, common pitfalls, and what successful applicants look like

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Insider Tip

Enroll annually by April 30 even in good years.

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Evaluation Criteria

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How Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada judges your application

What the reviewer scores, what gets applications rejected, and what to write.

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Written answers21no length limits stated
Judged on6 criteria
Can reject you44 rules
To attach4 documents

What Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada favours

Round amounts to the nearest dollar◦

“Round all amounts to the nearest dollar.”

1 more, in their words

The form2 prompts shown

Enrol and get a PIN23 sections
  1. 35Section 1 - Programscheckboxes
  2. 36Section 2 - Participant identificationshort answer
  3. 37Section 4 - Certificationshort answer
  4. 56Section A: Customer informationshort answer
  5. 57Section A: Customer informationshort answer
  6. 58Section A: Customer informationselection
  7. 59Section A: Customer informationselection
  8. 60Section A: Customer informationshort answer
  9. 61Section A: Customer informationshort answer
  10. 62Section A: Corporate structure (corporations only)table
  11. 63Section A: Partner information (partnerships only)table
  12. 64Section B: Farming activitiesyes/no + written
  13. 65Section B: Farming activitiesyes/no + written
  14. 66Section B: Farming activitiesselection
  15. 67Section B: Farming activitiesyes/no + written
  16. 68Section B: Farming activitiescheckboxes
  17. 69Section B: Noteswritten answer
  18. 70Section C: 2027 Intended productive unitstable
  19. 71Section C: 2027 Intended productive unitstable
  20. 72Section C: 2027 Intended productive unitstable
  21. 73Section D: Agreement and signatureshort answer
  22. 74Section D: Agreement and signatureshort answer
  23. 75Section D: Agreement and signatureshort answer
Your identification and farm details21 sections
  1. 1Participant identificationshort answer
  2. 2Contact person informationselection + written
  3. 3Province/Territory of main farmsteadshort answer
  4. 4Number of years farmedshort answer
  5. 5Final year of farmingyes/no + written
  6. 2aProduction cycleyes/no + written
  7. 7Farm typecheckboxes
  8. 8Deceased participantyes/no + written
  9. 9Federal public office holder or employee of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)yes/no + written
  10. 10Location of main farmsteadlist
  11. 11Combined Operationsyes/no + written
  12. 12Sole proprietorship or Partnershipcheckbox
  13. 3aFiscal periodshort answer
  14. 14Method of accountingselection
  15. 15Was your farm involved in any of the following?checkboxes
  16. 51Operation number (#)short answer
  17. 76Operation Number (#)short answer
  18. 38Participant identificationshort answer
  19. 94Contact person informationcheckbox
  20. 95Farming informationyes/no + written
  21. 1002026 Statement B Corporation/Co-operative and Special Individual - General informationshort answer
Income and expenses7 sections
  1. 16Commodity sales and program paymentstable
  2. 17Commodity purchasestable
  3. 18Statement of farming activitiestable
  4. 52Incometable
  5. 53Expensestable
  6. 96Incomespreadsheet
  7. 97Statement of farming activities (if applicable)spreadsheet
Shareholders and partners9 sections
  1. 19Shareholder/Member informationtable
  2. 20Shareholder/Member nameshort answer
  3. 21AgriStability and AgriInvest Participant Identification Numbershort answer
  4. 22Partnership informationtable
  5. 23Partnership nameshort answer
  6. 24Your percentage share of partnershipshort answer
  7. 25Partners’ namesshort answer
  8. 26Percentage (%) shareshort answer
  9. 98Shareholder/member and partnership informationtable
Inventory and productive capacity8 sections
  1. 27Has the productive capacity of this operation decreased during the program year due to disaster circumstances?yes/no + written
  2. 28Crop or production insurance contract/identification numbersshort answer
  3. 29Crop inventory valuation and productive capacitytable
  4. 30Livestock inventory valuationtable
  5. 31Livestock productive capacitytable
  6. 32Purchased inputstable
  7. 33Deferred income and receivablestable
  8. 34Accounts payabletable
Inventory worksheets2 sections
  1. 49AgriStability Crop Inventory Calculation Worksheetspreadsheet
  2. 55AgriStability Livestock Inventory Calculation Worksheetspreadsheet
Consent and declaration3 sections
  1. 50Confidential information and participant consentwritten answer
  2. 54Declaration by submitting this formcheckbox
  3. 99Confidential information and participant consentcheckboxes
Coverage notice and tax-aligned margin2 sections
  1. 101Coverage Notice - Intended Productive Capacity Informationtable
  2. 1022026 AgriStability Tax-Aligned Reference Margin Consent Formcheckboxes
Deciding whether to claim2 sections
  1. 48Tax-aligned reference margin — deciding whether you need to file a claimlist
  2. 118Apply for a paymentlist
Interim payment application38 sections
  1. 119If you are in financial distresslist
  2. 39Other informationyes/no + written
  3. 40Other informationyes/no + written
  4. 41Farming operationshort answer
  5. 42Farming operationyes/no + written
  6. 434a) Program year paymentstable
  7. 444b) Allowable expensestable
  8. 454c) Did your productive capacity decrease during the program year due to disaster?yes/no + written
  9. 464d) Crop productionspreadsheet
  10. 474e) Livestock productionspreadsheet
  11. 1a1a) New participantselection
  12. 1b1b) Change in informationselection
  13. 2b2b) Federal public office holder or employee of AAFCyes/no + written
  14. 2c2c) AgriInsurancecheckboxes
  15. 2d2d) 2026 AgriStability applicationcheckboxes
  16. 3c3c) Partnerstable
  17. 834a) Program year paymentstable
  18. 844b) Allowable expensestable
  19. 854c) Productive capacity decrease due to disaster circumstancesyes/no + written
  20. 864d) Crop productiontable
  21. 874e) Livestock Productiontable
  22. 88Schedule 1 – Additional informationselection
  23. 89Schedule 1 – a) Participant identificationshort answer
  24. 90Schedule 1 – b) Contact personshort answer
  25. 91Schedule 1 – c) Business structureshort answer
  26. 92Schedule 1 – d) Change in business structureselection
  27. Schedule 2Schedule 2 – Worksheet for 2026 Reference Margintable
  28. 1032027 AgriStability Interim Payment Application - Participant informationshort answer
  29. 104Ontario Interim - Explain your production margin declinewritten answer
  30. 105Ontario Interim - Read and sign the participant declarationcheckboxes
  31. 106Ontario Interim - Program Year Farming Activityspreadsheet
  32. 107Ontario Interim - Crops Sold, Breeding Livestock and Marketed Livestocktable
  33. 108Ontario Interim - Schedule 2: Inventory, Purchased Input Record, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payabletable
  34. 1092026 AgriStability Interim Application - Client Informationshort answer
  35. 110Alberta Interim - Program Year Farming Activity Questionsyes/no + written
  36. 111Alberta Interim - Crop and Livestock Productiontable
  37. 112Alberta Interim - Pasture Related Feed Costs Reference Margin Informationtable
  38. 113Alberta Interim - AFSC Privacy Collection Notification and Client Declarationcheckboxes
Direct deposit and address changes10 sections
  1. 114Section 1 - Participant identificationtable
  2. 120AgriStability Direct Deposit Registration Formtable
  3. 121AgriStability Direct Deposit Registration Formtable
  4. 122Section 2 - Financial institution informationtable
  5. 123Section 4 - Consentcheckboxes
  6. 124Section 5 - Send your signed and completed formtable
  7. 125Section 2 - Previous addresstable
  8. Section 3Section 3 - New addresstable
  9. 127Section 5 - Certificationcheckboxes
  10. 128Section 5 - Certificationtable
Appeals4 sections
  1. 115Appeal - Section 3: Appeal detailscheckboxes
  2. 116Appeal - Section 4: Supporting documentationlist
  3. 117Appeal - Section 6: Certificationcheckboxes
  4. 129Submitting an appeallist

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada states no length limits for these answers.

93 more prompts, in the funder’s words

Judged against3 questions · 6 criteria

  1. 1

    Do your numbers match what CRA has?

    Show them Report the same farming income and expenses on this form as on the tax return you filed.◦

    In the funder’s words · 1
    • Providing correct information on your form helps us calculate your benefits accurately and prevents processing delays.
  2. 2

    Can they process your file at all?

    What to show, and the funder’s 2 criteria behind it in Premium

  3. 3

    Would this survive an audit?

    What to show, and the funder’s 3 criteria behind it in Premium

Where applicants failin Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s words

“Don’t forget to include your participant identification number (PIN) on your form. Missing PINs is one of the top reasons for processing delays.”
“You must complete and send in your 2026 form by the final deadline if you received an AgriStability Interim Payment or a Targeted Advance Payment (or both) for the 2026 program year. If you do not, you must repay the money you received.”

4 more, in the funder’s words

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42 more rules that can reject you · 5 more criteria · 93 more prompts

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Do you pass?44 checks

Each one can rule you out. Tick the ones you meet.

You

  • File the form by the final deadline

    To participate in AgriStability for the 2026 program year, you must: file a Statement A form by the September 30, 2027 final deadline; file a 2026 Canadian income tax return reporting eligible farming income (loss) by September 30, 2027 (except Status Indians farming on a reserve in Canada who are exempt from filing an income tax return); meet all program requirements by the deadlines.

Your business

  • Which provinces use this entity form

    Use this guide and form if you want to participate in the AgriStability or AgriInvest program, or both for 2026; farm in British Columbia, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Northwest Territories or the Yukon; and farm as one of the following: corporation, co-operative, communal organization, limited partnership applying as an entity, non-resident, Status Indian who is exempt from the Income Tax Act, Band farm, trust, estate of a deceased participant (rights and things only).

42 more checks

4 things this funder says you do NOT need, in Premium.

Documents to attach4

Ticks are kept on this device.

The money

Payment trigger80% of decline beyond 30%

Generally, you will receive an AgriStability payment when your program margin in the current year falls more than 30% below your reference margin. AgriStability will cover 80% of your decline that is beyond the 30%.

Administrative cost share$55.00 each year

You must pay $55.00 each year for administration costs.

Interim payment cap50% of total estimated payment

Interim Payments will be issued at a rate established by the Administrator, which shall not be greater than 50% of the total estimated payment.

Who pays60/40 federal–provincial cost share

The federal and provincial/territorial governments cost share AgriStability on a 60/40 basis.

StackingInterim/Targeted Advances deducted from final payment

understand and agree that any Interim or Targeted Advance payment of AgriStability program funds will be deducted in the calculation of a final AgriStability program payment

Costs before approvalAdjustments up to 18 months after calculation

Participant-initiated adjustments to information used in calculating Program benefits for a Program Year (including information used in calculating the Reference Margin for that Program Year) may be requested by submitting a written request to the Administrator up to 18 months after notification of the original Calculation of Program Benefits for that Program Year.

Fees$3.15 per $1,000 protected; minimum $45

You must pay an annual fee to participate in AgriStability. The fee is $3.15 for every $1,000.00 of contribution reference margin protected (based on coverage of 70% of your margin). The minimum fee is $45.00.

What it pays for · 3
  • Allowable Expenses: - Commodity purchases - Containers and twine - Insurance premiums for allowable income and expense items - Pesticides - Fertilizer and soil supplements - Veterinary fees, medicine, breeding fees - Minerals and salts - Machinery gasoline, diesel fuel, oil - Electricity - Freight and shipping - Heating fuel - Arm’s length salaries - Storage/drying - Trucking (including contract trucking) that is used to transport eligible commodities or eligible inputs as required for the farming operation - Feed - Commodity futures transaction fees - Personal Protective Equipment (disposable, single use, short term)
  • Pasture related feed costs are an allowable expense starting in the 2026 program year.
  • Eligible tenants and landlords report only their individual share of the allowable income and expenses.

From application to money

  1. Enrol and pay feeApril 30, 2026Enrol and pay fee by April 30, 2026
  2. Farm the yearFarm the year, six months minimum
  3. File Statement AJune 30, 2027File Statement A by June 30, 2027
  4. Final filing deadlineSeptember 30, 2027File by September 30, 2027 with penalty
  5. Benefits calculatedCalculation within 75 days of complete file
  6. Payment issuedPayment issued by direct deposit
In the funder’s words · 6
Enrol and pay fee
You confirm you are in for the program year and pay the fee by the deadline shown on your Enrolment Notice.
Farm the year
You farm the program year, completing a production cycle and at least six consecutive months of farming activity.
File Statement A
Send the completed form for the program year by the initial deadline to avoid a late filing penalty.
Final filing deadline
You can still file up to this date, but with a late filing penalty, and your tax return must be in by then too.
Benefits calculated
They aim to issue a Calculation of Program Benefits within 75 days of receiving a complete file.
Payment issued
The administration pays the benefit, by direct deposit if you registered for it.

Quoted lines are word for word from the source documents; lines marked ◦ are our reading of them.

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Application Playbook

Step-by-step process, required documents, and expenses

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Application Steps

1 Enroll annually by April 30 Submit enrollment form and pay the enrollment fee via My AAFC Account (federal provinces) or your provincial agricultural agency. If you participated in the last 2 years, AAFC auto-enrolls you and sends an Enrolment Notice instead.

Required Documents 5

✓ Annual enrollment form and fee (via My AAFC Account or provincial agency)
✓ CRA farming income schedule for your province: Form T1273 (Guide RC4408) in BC, MB, NL, NS, NB, NWT and YT; Form T1163 or T1164 (Guide RC4060) in AB, SK, ON and PE; Form T2042 (Guide T4002) in QC

Eligible Expenses 4

Ineligible Expenses 2

Intake Periods

Deadline Notes

Ineligible Organizations

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Funding Stack Strategy

Compatible programs, clawback risk, and combined funding potential

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Compatible Programs

AgriInvest AgriInsurance
Combined Funding Potential See your total funding potential

Clawback Risk

Medium Risk

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How AgriStability Program Compares

Side-by-side with similar programs

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Program Amount Difficulty Payment Deadline
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AgriInvest Program up to $10,000 Easy Advance Payment Enrolment is open....
AgriInsurance Program The federal and provincial... Easy Not Applicable Annual — enrollment...
CanExport SMEs Up to $50,000 Moderate Mixed (Advance + Reimb.) Between intakes — the...
Export Development Canada (EDC) Finan... Varies Easy Equity Ongoing

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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions founders most often ask about AgriStability Program

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Can sole proprietors enroll in AgriStability?
Yes, sole proprietors qualify as long as they report farming income to CRA, have 6+ months of farming activity, and enroll annually by April 30. All farm entities (individuals, co-ops, trusts) are eligible.
What's the realistic payment range for a mid-size farm?
Mid-size farms typically receive $50,000 to $100,000 annually when margins drop more than 30%. The standard rate is 80% compensation up to a $3,000,000 cap. The 2025 program year ran a temporary 90% rate and $6,000,000 cap that has since ended.
What happens if I miss the April 30 enrollment deadline?
You can still pay your fee up to December 31 with a 20% penalty, or your province may open a late-participation window with a 20% reduced benefit if the farm sector took a broad downturn. Returning participants (enrolled the last 2 years) are auto-enrolled and do not need to reapply.
Do I need to pay matching funds?
No matching funds required. AgriStability is a margin-based program with no cost-sharing. However, an annual enrollment fee is required to participate.
Can I stack AgriStability with AgriInsurance?
Yes, but AgriInsurance payments reduce your AgriStability production margin. Coordinate timing: AgriInsurance claims for production losses will lower your reference margin calculation for AgriStability.

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