Due to the dry conditions in many parts of Alberta, the low yield threshold has been doubled for 2025.

The low yield allowance is part of crop insurance programs and is meant to encourage farmers to salvage their crops for feed and other uses rather than abandon the acres. AgriInsurance is a cost-shared program between producers, and the federal and provincial governments.

“I’ve spoken with livestock and crop producers in Alberta who are worried about the impact that dry conditions could have this year. Changing the yield threshold will give them some breathing room, so they can make the best decisions for their operations,” said Heath MacDonald, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

According to the Agricultural Service Boards website, as of Aug. 6, 13 municipalities have declared agricultural disasters including the M.D. of Bonnyville, Smoky Lake County, Lac La Biche County and Athabasca County.

“The impact of ongoing dry conditions in some regions of the province is concerning for Alberta’s agricultural community. This adjustment lets producers act swiftly to salvage crops for livestock feed, rather than watch their fields deteriorate further and risk harvesting nothing,” said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation.

According to AFSC, the low yield allowance in 2025 for barley, wheat, oats, rye, field peas, corn, triticale and faba beans will be increased to 300 kg per acre. The threshold for dry beans will be 240 kg per acre. The threshold for lentils and Desi chickpeas will be increased to 80 kg per acre, and Kabuli chickpeas will be 50 kg per acre.

Producers need to contact ASFC at least five days before beginning their harvest.

“They will need to provide the crop type, number of acres and estimated yield on the acres that will be put to an alternate use as well as the intended use (e.g. pasturing, silage),” says the AFSC website.

Source - https://www.lakelandtoday.ca