Crop Insurance program renewed for 2026 season
By Kate Winquist
Producers across West Central Saskatchewan are being reminded to review their coverage as federal and provincial governments confirm continued funding for the 2026 Crop Insurance Program.
Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced Thursday that support will continue for the program, administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
Darren Martens unloads some of the last of his red lentils from a field northeast of Fiske last August. Photo by David McIver
For producers in the Kindersley, Rosetown and surrounding rural municipalities — where grain, oilseed and livestock operations form the backbone of the local economy — crop insurance remains a key tool for managing weather and market uncertainty.
In 2025, more than 85 per cent of Saskatchewan’s seeded acres were insured. Despite variable growing conditions across parts of the province, many producers saw improved production compared with recent years, helping maintain the financial strength of the program.
Marit said reliable coverage helps strengthen individual farm operations and supports long-term growth in Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector. Producers are encouraged to review their options before the March 31 deadline.
This year marks 65 years of crop insurance delivery in Saskatchewan. The corporation continues to update its programs, including the recent introduction of Satellite Forage Insurance, which uses satellite technology to provide more localized forage coverage — an option that may be of particular interest to livestock producers in the region.
Bill Huber, president of the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, said crop insurance is an important tool for producers navigating unpredictable conditions.
Bill Prybylski, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, encouraged farmers and ranchers to review their coverage ahead of the deadline to ensure protection against weather and market volatility.
The deadline to apply for, reinstate, cancel or make changes to 2026 crop insurance contracts is March 31. Producers must select insured crops and coverage levels by that date. If no changes are made, last year’s coverage will automatically continue.
In addition to crop insurance, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation delivers programs including AgriStability, Livestock Price Insurance and Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention.
Crop Insurance is a federal-provincial-producer cost-shared program supported under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
CROP INSURANCE 2026: WHAT PRODUCERS NEED TO KNOW
Deadline: March 31, 2026
Producers must apply, reinstate, cancel or make changes to their 2026 Crop Insurance contracts by March 31.
If no changes are made, last year’s coverage will automatically continue.
What to review:
Insured crops
Coverage levels
Forage insurance options, including Satellite Forage Insurance
Livestock-related risk management tools
The program is administered by the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation.
Other available programs include:
AgriStability
Livestock Price Insurance
Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention
For more information, producers can contact their local SCIC office, call 1-888-935-0000 or visit scic.ca.