With diesel prices nearly doubling from a year ago, during the peak of harvest, the Agricultural
Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is urging Saskatchewan producers to take a fresh look at
AgriStability before the extended enrollment deadline of October 1.
Bulk dyed farm diesel price increases have added significant costs to farm operations. Based on fuel-use
estimates from the Saskatchewan Crop Planning Guide, APAS estimates that higher diesel prices alone are
adding roughly $20 per acre in production costs compared to last year. For a 3,600-acre grain farm, that
represents approximately $72,000 in additional expenses.
Fuel costs are fully eligible expenses under AgriStability. The program is designed to respond when margins
decline due to increased costs, reduced revenues, or a combination of both.
“Many producers are now in a position where they can look back at the season and see the risks that have
already materialized,” said APAS President Bill Prybylski. “Between increased fuel and fertilizer costs, delayed
seeding, wet harvest conditions, quality concerns, trade uncertainty, and tariff risks, 2026 has been a
challenging year. The October 1 deadline provides producers with an opportunity to enrol in whole-farm
coverage for a season that is almost complete.”
Unlike the traditional spring enrollment period, producers now have the benefit of evaluating the season as it
has unfolded. Many farms can already assess whether they may be facing reduced margins due to a
combination of increased costs and lower revenues.
APAS also points to the significant support the program delivered in the most recent program year.
AgriStability paid approximately $402 million to Saskatchewan producers in 2025, nearly matching Crop
Insurance indemnities for the same period.
“AgriStability has a reputation among some producers that may be based on experiences from years ago,”
Prybylski said. “But the program has undergone changes, reference margins are historically strong, and the
risks facing agriculture today are very different than they were a decade ago. Producers owe it to themselves
to take another look.”
APAS continues to advocate for further improvements to AgriStability through discussions on Business Risk
Management programs and the Next Policy Framework. Industry continues to identify opportunities to
better support diversified farms, livestock producers, beginning farmers, and modern program delivery
systems. However, APAS believes producers should evaluate the program as it exists today, particularly
during a year characterized by elevated risk and historically strong coverage levels.
Producers still harvesting should note that enrolling before October 1 is straightforward. To secure late
participation, producers only need to contact their local SCIC office or call the AgriStability call centre.
Historical financial information and program fees do not need to be submitted by October 1. AgriStability
Call Centre: 1-866-270-8450
Producers Association of Saskatchewan (APAS) is urging Saskatchewan producers to take a fresh look at
AgriStability before the extended enrollment deadline of October 1.
Bulk dyed farm diesel price increases have added significant costs to farm operations. Based on fuel-use
estimates from the Saskatchewan Crop Planning Guide, APAS estimates that higher diesel prices alone are
adding roughly $20 per acre in production costs compared to last year. For a 3,600-acre grain farm, that
represents approximately $72,000 in additional expenses.
Fuel costs are fully eligible expenses under AgriStability. The program is designed to respond when margins
decline due to increased costs, reduced revenues, or a combination of both.
“Many producers are now in a position where they can look back at the season and see the risks that have
already materialized,” said APAS President Bill Prybylski. “Between increased fuel and fertilizer costs, delayed
seeding, wet harvest conditions, quality concerns, trade uncertainty, and tariff risks, 2026 has been a
challenging year. The October 1 deadline provides producers with an opportunity to enrol in whole-farm
coverage for a season that is almost complete.”
Unlike the traditional spring enrollment period, producers now have the benefit of evaluating the season as it
has unfolded. Many farms can already assess whether they may be facing reduced margins due to a
combination of increased costs and lower revenues.
APAS also points to the significant support the program delivered in the most recent program year.
AgriStability paid approximately $402 million to Saskatchewan producers in 2025, nearly matching Crop
Insurance indemnities for the same period.
“AgriStability has a reputation among some producers that may be based on experiences from years ago,”
Prybylski said. “But the program has undergone changes, reference margins are historically strong, and the
risks facing agriculture today are very different than they were a decade ago. Producers owe it to themselves
to take another look.”
APAS continues to advocate for further improvements to AgriStability through discussions on Business Risk
Management programs and the Next Policy Framework. Industry continues to identify opportunities to
better support diversified farms, livestock producers, beginning farmers, and modern program delivery
systems. However, APAS believes producers should evaluate the program as it exists today, particularly
during a year characterized by elevated risk and historically strong coverage levels.
Producers still harvesting should note that enrolling before October 1 is straightforward. To secure late
participation, producers only need to contact their local SCIC office or call the AgriStability call centre.
Historical financial information and program fees do not need to be submitted by October 1. AgriStability
Call Centre: 1-866-270-8450
(APAS news release)
