Agriculture income protection (AgriStability)

Agriculture producers can adapt and invest in their farm operation by managing the risk of small and large income declines.

AgriStability helps stabilize farm income by managing the risk of large income declines.

How it works

AgriStability protects agricultural producers against declines in their net farming income due to market conditions, production loss or increased costs of production. Payments are made if a producer’s current year margin falls more than 30% below their reference margin.

Watch the videos to learn more about AgriStability.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants must:

• Have income from the primary production of agricultural commodities
• Have carried on the business of farming in Canada and reported farming income (or loss) for income tax purposes
• Have completed a minimum of six consecutive months farming activity
• Have completed a production cycle that includes one or more of the following: 
  • The growing and harvesting of a crop
  • The process of rearing livestock
  • The purchase and sale of livestock within a program year in the case of feeding or finishing enterprises

How to enrol

If you have never participated in AgriStability or have previously opted out, you will need to complete some New Participant forms. To know how to do this please read the instructions below:

• The forms must be submitted to the AgriStability Administration by April 30 of the Program Year or 30 days following the request of the New Participant forms.
• If you need help, staff are available to assist you with completing the enrolment forms and process. Please contact the AgriStability Administration at 1-877-343-2767.
• The New Participant forms are listed below and are available by calling 1‑877‑343‑2767 or by emailing AgriStability@gov.bc.ca.
   
  • New Participant Information and Participant Initial Declaration and Authorization Form
    This required form requests your contact information, some basic information about your farm operation, your agreement to the program conditions and authorizes AgriStability to use the information you provide for the stated purposes.
     
  • AgriStability Contact Authorization Form
    This form is only required if you want to authorize a third party, such as an accountant, to act on your behalf for AgriStability purposes.
     
  • New Participant Information – Program Year Productive Capacity  Forms
    You will need to complete a Productive Capacity form for each of the commodities you produce or intend to produce on your farm during the year that you are enrolling for:​
    • Berries and Christmas trees
    • Grain, livestock and bees
    • Hops
    • Nursery and greenhouse
    • Tree fruit and grape
    • Vegetable

The Productive Capacity information collected on these forms is used to calculate an estimated contribution reference margin and the cost of your enrolment fee. The contribution reference margin uses industry averages and will not be used to determine your program benefits.

Important Dates

Mar 31	Deadline to submit an interim application. Producer must be enrolled in AgriStability for the current program year.
Apr 30	Deadline for new participants to request a New Participant Package. Deadline to pay program fee without penalty (or 30 days from date of enrolment notice). Deadline to cancel participation in program year (or 30 days from date of enrolment notice).
Sep 30	Deadline to submit harmonized AgriStability and AgriInvest programs information and statement of farming activities without penalty.
Dec 31	Deadline to submit harmonized AgriStability and AgriInvest programs information and statement of farming activities with penalty. Deadline to pay program fee with penalty. Producers will not be eligible to receive benefits for that program year if fees are not paid.

Appeals

Appeals regarding the processing of applications are accepted within 90 days of the date of the decision.

The appeal must clearly identify the nature of the appeal and provide sufficient information and documentation to substantiate it. A missed deadline may be excused if extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated. However, exceptions to program policy like eligibility, or other disagreements with program rules, cannot be appealed.

• AgriStability Appeal Submission

Adjustment request

Requests to change previously submitted information used to calculate program benefits can be made within 18 months of the date of the original Calculation of Program Benefits notice.

• AgriStability and AgriInvest Programs Additional Information and Adjustment Request (T1275)

Contact us

Call 1-877-343-2767, drop in to your regional office or email us.

Abbotsford (serving Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island) 1767 Angus Campbell Road Abbotsford, BC V3G 2M3

Oliver (serving South Okanagan, Similkameen, Kootenays) 201-583 Fairview Rd Oliver, BC V0H 1TO

Kelowna (serving Central & North Okanagan, Thompson Valley, Nicola Valley, Cariboo, Chilcotin) 200-1500 Hardy Street Kelowna, BC V1Y 8H2

Fort St. John (serving Prince George, Peace River) 10043-100th Street Fort St. John, BC V1J 3Y5