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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: September 2025

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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: September 2025

Agriculture Updates since August 2025

Headlines

Introducing: Homes on the Range

The team behind Guardians of the Grasslands have launched a new documentary: Homes on the Range. This new 17-minute documentary showcases stories of land and wildlife stewardship on beef farms and ranches across Canada. The land used to raise beef cattle in Canada contributes the majority of critical habitat that wildlife need for reproduction and to raise their young (74%) and to find food (55%) when all crop and pastureland is considered. When it comes to habitat for many species in Canada, home is truly on the range. Watch Now

Grazing support for livestock producers

In response to drought conditions affecting parts of Alberta, the provincial government is rolling out grazing support measures to help livestock producers manage feed shortages and grazing challenges. Alberta Forestry and Parks announced that grazing disposition holders with available capacity can now host cattle from other producers for the remainder of the 2025 grazing season — no formal application required. However, these holders must report with any additional livestock to their local agrologist within seven days. More information

Agriculture ministers meet to support a resilient and competitive agriculture and agri-food sector

The annual conference of federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture was recently held in Winnipeg. Ministers recognized the impacts of dry conditions and wildfire activity affecting regions across Canada, and the significant uncertainty caused by tariffs. FPT Ministers met to advance collaborative efforts in support of a resilient, sustainable and competitive agriculture sector and affirmed their commitment to working together to support hard-working producers and processors to address a variety of existing and emerging challenges.

Throughout the conference, discussions also focused on ensuring that Business Risk Management (BRM) programs are sustainable and reflect the needs of producers. More information

Engagement on agricultural plastics extended to October 3

The government has extended the deadline for the agricultural plastics management engagement survey to October 3, 2025.

Agricultural plastics producers, agricultural service boards, agricultural commodity groups, agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers), municipalities and waste management and recycling organizations can complete an online survey on using a regulatory approach for managing agricultural plastics waste including:

  • types of agricultural plastics to include
  • clarifying the description of the obligated plastics producer
  • material recovery rate targets
  • service standards for material collection

Learn more | Take the survey

Avian influenza detected in Alberta poultry flocks

The Office of the Chief Provincial Veterinarian (OCPV) reports four cases of highly pathogenic avian influence (HPAI) have been confirmed to date in 2025. One case was in a small flock in May, and three cases (one commercial flock and two small flocks) were recently confirmed between September 8 and 10. Considering these recent detections, the possibility of a resurgence of domestic poultry cases in conjunction with the upcoming fall migration is a concern. If you suspect your flock may have HPAI contact your flock veterinarian or the OCPV at 780-427-3448.

Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation also has an ongoing Non-Quota, Non-Commercial Disease Investigation Poultry Program to help small-flock poultry owners and their veterinarians (for flocks with symptoms that meet specific criteria). 

Status of ongoing influenza cases in Alberta | Avian influenza in wild birds

Funding Resources

Wildlife Damage Compensation Program information 2025 

The Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (WDCP) compensates agricultural producers for wildlife damage to eligible unharvested crops, stacked hay, stack greenfeed, as well silage and haylage in pits and tubes. Producers wishing to participate in the program are not required to have AFSC insurance to qualify for a claim. Producers do need to have an insurable interest in the crop that is damaged; cash rent landlords are not eligible. For eligible crops, other than stacked hay or stacked greenfeed, the producer's crop needs to be located and was damaged in Alberta. All costs for this program are paid by the federal and provincial governments; producers pay no premium or administration cost except for the appraisal fee. A non-refundable appraisal fee of $25 per inspection type is required for each section of land or portion thereof on which the damage has occurred. Learn more about the WDCP

Livestock Tax Deferral designated regions

Agriculture Canada has a list of regions that will qualify for the Livestock Tax Deferral in 2025.Buffer zones have also been applied to capture impacted producers who are outside the boundaries of the prescribed regions but may be experiencing similar conditions. Weather, climate and production data from across Canada will continue to be monitored throughout the remainder of the season and regions will be added to the list when they meet the criteria. Find out more. Livestock Tax Deferral designated regions

Increasing access to low-cost loans for livestock producers

The province is increasing the lending limit on the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program to grow and strengthen the rural economy. As demand for Alberta beef continues to grow internationally, leading to higher prices, locally owned feeder associations are turning to the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program for low-interest financing backed by a government guarantee. Learn more

Now Seeking Nominations for the Wilson Loree Award

Farm Management Canada is seeking to honour individuals or groups with the 2025 Wilson Loree Award. This prestigious award was established over twenty years ago, to honour those who have made an extraordinary contribution to developing and promoting new and positive change in farm business management practices and expertise in Canada. Submit your nomination by October 3rd. Visit www.FMC-GAC.com for more information on the Award and the Conference. Click here to access the 2025 Wilson Loree Nomination form.

Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) has adjusted the low yield allowance

The 2025 crop year continues to be challenging in some regions of Alberta. Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) has adjusted the low yield allowance, enabling farmers to salvage crops for livestock feed in an effort to reduce producers’ feed-related costs. Producers should contact AFSC at least five days in advance of harvesting to share details about their situation and find out how best to proceed. AFSC will work with clients to complete a field inspection as soon as possible. This change means that if the appraised yield falls below the established threshold level, AFSC can reduce the appraisal to zero, based on information gathered by the adjuster during the inspection. The appraised yield of the crop will be used in the calculation of any subsequent indemnities. Find out more.

Sustainability Incentive Program

Innovative producers are key to growing a more sustainable future for agriculture, and these changes require research, time and capital. Working with industry partners, an incentive program is now open to eligible customers who meet sustainability program requirements. Payments are calculated as a portion of your lending with FCC. Per eligible program, you could receive one payment per year, up to a maximum of $4,000. You can also reapply annually throughout the life of the program. Find out more.

AGRI Talent

AgriTalent program supports the development of connections between post-secondary students, employers in agriculture and post-secondary institutions and contributes towards preparing a job-ready workforce for the Canadian agriculture industry. As part of this program, subsidized Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities connect employers with post-secondary students to ensure higher participation by post-secondary students within the industry with special focus on including under-represented and equity-seeking groups. Find out more

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

Free business plan bundles

A business plan is like a road map. It helps you define your operation’s core objectives and build a detailed plan for how to achieve them.The FCC business plan bundles were designed specifically for Canadian producers, food and beverage entrepreneurs or anyone involved in Canadian agriculture and food. Check out the resources.

How AI can help reduce food waste

AI is producing a sea change across various industries. In the food and beverage sector, several key tools reduce waste by optimizing production and price and preventing potentially costly breakdowns. Check out four ways to harness the power of AI to help reduce food waste.

Increasing access to low-cost loans for livestock producers

The province is increasing the lending limit on the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program to grow and strengthen the rural economy.

Alberta is world renowned for its top-quality beef production, a reputation owed in part to the hard work and dedication of feeder associations, who help livestock producers get financing to buy animals and grow their herds. As demand for Alberta beef continues to grow internationally, leading to higher prices, locally owned feeder associations are turning to the Feeder Associations Loan Guarantee Program for low-interest financing backed by a government guarantee. Learn more

Provincial funding boosts Alberta's small family farms and agritourism sector

Locally grown food and agritourism experiences are shaping the future of farming in Alberta. With robust support from Alberta Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, the Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association is launching a dynamic new initiative to bolster Alberta’s small family farms and agritourism sector.

This program aims to connect consumers with local farms and local food, diversify farm income through agritourism and strengthen Alberta’s food supply chain. Its creation is made possible thanks to a $300,000 grant provided by Alberta’s government through the Northern and Regional Economic Development Program. Read more here.

Growing production at Alberta's biggest greenhouse

$2.2 million delivered through Emissions Reduction Alberta will help install new technology to save millions of dollars on energy bills and produce more food for Albertans. These dollars help Big Marble Farms install cutting-edge horticultural grow lights that will produce more tomatoes and cucumbers using less energy and at a lower cost. With this funding, more than 5,000 horticultural grow lights will be installed at the Cypress County greenhouse to save almost $2 million in utility costs and produce 4,600 fewer tonnes of emissions. Read more

Boosting 4R acres in Alberta

Alberta Grains and Fertilizer Canada have officially launched Make Your Acres Count!, a new campaign encouraging Alberta farmers to get their acres recognized under the 4R Nutrient Stewardship framework. The program empowers growers to work with a 4R Designated Agronomist to develop a nutrient management plan that improves fertilizer efficiency, boosts productivity and strengthens environmental stewardship. The campaign is part of a broader effort to grow Alberta’s leadership in sustainable agriculture. In 2024, more than 2.15 million acres in Alberta were self-reported under 4R. Make Your Acres Count! aims to nearly double that number by the end of the 2025 crop year. Learn more about this campaign

Events, Webinars and Podcasts

Agriculture Update for Professionals, various locations

September 18th | Economic Update: Online Event | Register now

September 23 | EFP Producer Workshops | Virtual

September 25 & November 25 | Field of Mind: Supporting Men's Mental Well-Being | Virtual

October 7th | The Negotiation Mindset: Online Event | Register now

12th Annual Harvest Gala, Calgary | October 24

Agri-News online - www.alberta.ca/agri-news.aspx (includes upcoming industry events)

Other Resources

As always, you can always find more agribusiness resources on our website: https://www.southeastalbertachamber.ca/agribusiness-resources/

If you know of someone who may be interested in the work we are doing and might be interested in investing in this work through membership, please feel free to refer them to us. You can also encourage others to subscribe to our agriculture updates through this page. We look forward to continuing our work with you and pushing for our collective priorities on your behalf.

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