AgriStability Frequently Asked Questions

AgriStability is here to support farmers during tough financial times. In British Columbia, many farms are dealing with challenges like disappointing harvests, falling market prices, and rising expenses. With AgriStability, farmers can plan for the future with confidence.

AgriStability helps protect farm budgets by providing;

• Peace of Mind: AgriStability helps cover income losses due to unexpected events.
• Income Stability: When your income drops below a certain level, AgriStability offers financial assistance to keep your farm operational.
• Low Cost: AgriStability is affordable; fees and coverage depend on the size and profits of your farm.

Discover How AgriStability Works and how it can help your farm thrive.

AgriStability complements Production Insurance for better overall coverage and risk management.

While Production Insurance protects crops from specific weather events, it doesn’t cover crop losses after harvest. AgriStability is a whole-farm program that covers all commodities you produce, as well as risks like rising expenses, low prices, and natural disasters.

AgriStability and Production Insurance are designed to work together.

You will not receive your full AgriStability payment if you have not enrolled in Production Insurance (for crop farms).

British Columbia farm operations that are primary producers of agricultural commodities can join AgriStability. Many crop and livestock farmers across the province are already benefiting from this valuable program. Explore the eligibility requirements to see if your farm qualifies.

If you are new to AgriStability or looking to rejoin the program, complete the New Participant Package to get started.

For a farm in BC with $140,000 in sales, the annual fee is just $500. Your enrolment fee depends on the size of your farm operation, with fees starting as low as $100 per year for a small farm. Even farms with as little as $20,000 in sales are encouraged to enroll.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Farmers need to call before April 30^th to sign up for the year. For the 2025 program year, the enrolment and program fee (without penalty) deadline was extended to July 31, 2025.

Please call our client service team for more information: 1-877-343-2767

If your farm suffers a disaster during the season, you can file a Notice of Loss (BCeID required) to request assistance. Our client service team will review your AgriStability coverage and ensure your payment is processed quickly.

After the year is over, you must file your income tax by the CRA deadlines and submit a Statement A form. This form collects details about your income, expense, and crop or livestock information, which are used to calculate your payment. Don’t worry - our client service team is available to guide you through filling out the forms.

After you join AgriStability, you will receive an Enrolment Notice each spring as part of the program’s continuous enrolment. If you decide to opt out of the program, a written notice must be submitted by the April 30 deadline. When you opt out, you are no longer eligible for AgriStability payments. 

It is recommended that producers remain enrolled every year to protect their farm business from disasters—similar to your home fire insurance. While AgriStability doesn’t pay every year, it is designed to cover significant losses during tough times.

Your Statement A form is due by September 30th (of the year after the program year).

AgriStability encourages participants to submit their Statement A as soon as it is complete. The sooner your Statement A is processed, the sooner you will receive your Calculation of Benefits and any payments.

The Statement A is available in early February each year. 

Your program year corresponds to your fiscal year. For example:

• If your fiscal year ends on April 30, 2025, your reporting period is May 1, 2024 – April 30, 2025
• Your tax year, AgriStability year, and AgriInvest year will all be 2025

The program year will be the same year as your fiscal year end.

Your AgriStability coverage is based on your recent farm sales and expenses. If you expand, downsize, or change commodities on your farm, AgriStability will adjust your coverage to reflect these changes. This process is referred to as “structural change”.

If you change the farm’s legal structure by incorporating, your fee and coverage will be transferred to the corporation. Your AgriStability coverage can also be transferred to the immediate family. For example, children taking over the family farm can use the farm's historical numbers to set their coverage when signing up.

The executor/beneficiary is responsible to ensure the estate meets AgriStability deadlines and requirements. The estate can continue to participate until it is settled, and a new owner takes over the farm business.

To cancel participation in AgriStability, you must provide written notice by April 30th of the program year you wish to opt out of.

• Complete the cancel participation form
• Submit the form to AgriStability@gov.bc.ca or to your nearest AgriStability office 

Cancelling participation or opting out of AgriStability means that you will not be eligible for a payment for the year. If you do not opt out by the deadline, your fees will still be owed and payable.

Yes! AgriInvest eligibility remains unaffected if you opt out of AgriStability.

Individuals filing taxes on a Statement A will have their information sent directly to AgriInvest Administration. Corporations should continue submitting their Statement A to Agriculture Canada by the September 30 deadline.

Absolutely - you can re-apply by submitting a New Participant form by April 30 of the program year you wish to participate in.