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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: April 2026

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Building A Unified Voice for Agriculture: Agriculture Updates, Supports, and News: April 2026

Headlines

Congratulations to Beth Cash: One of the 2026 Women in Ag Award winners

Across Alberta, women in agriculture are reshaping the industry through innovation, mentorship, community leadership and unwavering resilience. This year’s AFSC Women in Ag Award recipients are translating expertise into real-world results, developing the next generation of ag leadership, building networks and bolstering rural communities. Beth Cash was recognized as one of the 2026 recipients for her role as a Promoter in the Industry.

Beth Cash’s work has ensured women’s voices are recognized in southeastern Alberta. Beth co-operates the family ranch while she serves as the economic development officer for Cypress County. In this role, she ensures that agriculture is recognized not only as a production industry but also as a network of family businesses, women entrepreneurs and community builders. She works to integrate agricultural priorities into local economic strategies, connecting producers, small businesses and municipal leadership. 

Her most significant initiative is the Ag Connections Conference, launched in 2023 as a one-day professional development event for producers and businesses in southeastern Alberta. The first year the goal was to have 100 attendees. By its second year, more than 450 participants attended. 

Her leadership extends beyond her local community, serving on the Economic Developers Alberta board and the Palliser Economic Partnership agriculture board. Beth has represented rural Alberta on a trade mission to Japan, exploring agri-food export opportunities and working to connect local producers to international markets. Learn more about Beth and the other 2026 recipients

Strychnine Emergency Use Registration: Minister Sigurdson

Under the Pest Control Products Act, the Government of Canada is authorizing an Emergency Registration to Alberta and Saskatchewan to register strychnine until November 2027. Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson issued a statement on the federal decision on the use of strychnine for pest control. Read his statement here | Map of eligible areas

Canada's farmland values continued to climb in 2025

The average value of Canadian farmland continued its steady climb in 2025, increasing by 9.3 per cent, according to the latest Farm Credit Canada Farmland Values Report. Manitoba recorded the largest average farmland value increase at 12.2 per cent, followed by Alberta at 11.4 per cent and Saskatchewan at 9.4 per cent. Check out all the numbers

Traceability Update

Last month, we circulated the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) survey on traceability. Since that time, both the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) and CCA have posted their statements online here:

The CFIA also posted a more recent update: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/animal-health/terrestrial-animals/traceability/regulatory-update/proposed-traceability-requirements. We've let CCA and ABP know that we are ready to support their advocacy on this issue if and when they need us. This issue was also part of our conversation with Minister Sigurdson in a meeting on March 10 and in our discussion with Agriculture and Agrifood Canada in a consultation with the Canadian Chamber Agriculture and Agrifood Committee on March 18.

Planting seeds of growth for local co-operatives

As part of Budget 2026, Alberta is investing $9 million over three years for capital projects at local seed co-operatives to help modernize aging infrastructure.

If passed, Budget 2026 funds the cost-shared Co-operative Seed Processors program to help co-operative and municipal plants to update and build facilities and infrastructure, improve technology, upgrade equipment and optimize operations to ensure they remain sustainable. Continue reading

2026 Census of Agriculture

Mark your calendars. In May 2026, farm operators across Canada will be invited to take part in the Census of Agriculture. By completing the census, farm operators can have their voices heard and help strengthen their communities while supporting the future of agriculture in Canada.

The Census of Agriculture has provided a snapshot of the Canadian agriculture sector since 1921. Decision-makers use the data collected from the Census of Agriculture to act in the interest of farm operators, farming communities and agricultural associations across Canada. More information

Smarter water management for Alberta’s future

Passed in the legislature in fall 2025, amendments to the Water Act came into effect March 11. The proclamation of these amendments implements a series of common-sense changes that will cut red tape, improve transparency and better meet the needs of farmers, ranchers, businesses and communities, while still maintaining the strong environmental protections that Albertans expect.

Clear, simple rules and streamlined processes will help farmers, ranchers and others more easily amend their licences and consolidate allocations under a single licence, while still making sure other water users and the environment are not negatively impacted. More information

Advancing Southeast Alberta's Agri-food Economy

The City of Medicine Hat, in collaboration with Cypress County, the County of Forty Mile, the Town of Bow Island and Town of Redcliff, and the Village of Foremost, has released What We Heard – Summary of Key Findings from their Regional Agriculture and Agri-food Investment Strategy for Southeast Alberta. See the news release | Read the What We Heard - Summary of Key Findings for full details.

Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association announces rebrand to Agritourism Alberta

The Alberta Farm Fresh Producers Association, a 40-year-old provincial organization supporting farms marketing directly to consumers and offering agritourism experiences, is officially rebranding to Agritourism Alberta. The new name reflects the organization’s evolving role in supporting Alberta’s growing agritourism sector and strengthening connections between agriculture, tourism and rural economic development. Learn more

Funding, Resources & Programs

Investing in youth employment in Canadian agriculture

Agriculture Canada recently announced an investment of up to $27 million in funding to the Youth Employment and Skills Program over two years (2026 to 2028), including close to $13.47 million in funding for the 2026-27 program year. This funding will support young Canadians across the country as they gain valuable hands-on experience in the agriculture and agri-food sector and contribute to building the next generation of skilled workers. More information

Flexible options make AgriStability participation easier

As AgriStability continues to evolve, farmers across Alberta now have more flexible, accessible options to protect their operations from income uncertainty. Recent program enhancements not only strengthen coverage but also make it simpler than ever for producers — large and small — to participate:

  • Easier than ever to participate only three years of historical data required; optional tax-based reference margin available.
  • Participants can request a coverage notice between May 1 and December 31 to estimate their support level for the year, adding clarity and predictability to the program.

Investing in Alberta's future vets

A new program funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership will encourage veterinary students to work and stay in rural Alberta. This two-year, $250,000 Veterinary Student Recruitment and Retention Pilot Grant Program is aimed at enticing rural practices to hire summer veterinary students and encouraging students to continue their careers in those communities. The program focuses on practices that provide livestock veterinary services and have a current or anticipated veterinarian vacancy. Read more

Free Safety Resources

The people in your workforce have a wide range of backgrounds. Your employees may include new Canadians, temporary foreign workers, or others with English as their second language. All workers have a right to learn how to keep safe on the job, and information needs to be available in languages they understand. That’s why we’ve developed easy-to-use resources in four different languages. Free agricultural safety resources available in four languages from Workplace Safety & Prevention Services.

Need Safety Help on Your Farm?

AgSafe Alberta Advisors understand agriculture and will use their experience and knowledge to support you in making your farm safer. Qualifying farms can get up to 10 hours of FREE advisor support! Learn more

AGRI Talent: Summer Applications Now Open!

Recruiting young people into agriculture jobs is an ongoing challenge for employers across the country. These agri-workforce gaps inevitably lead to lost sales, production delays, and stress across the entire value chain with no end in sight. CAHRC has heard the industry calling for creative solutions and we have partnered with the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement (SWP) Program to put post-secondary students directly into agriculture focused employment opportunities in their communities. Learn more and apply here.

Paid Courses Are FREE Until May 31/26

Keep your money where it belongs. All of AgSafe Alberta’s paid courses are FREE until May 31, 2026, using promo code SAFESTART26! Get Started

Applications for OFCAF delivered through RDAR open April 10

The On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF) provides financial support to producers to accelerate their adoption and implementation of on-farm Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs) to lower greenhouse gas emissions, support production efficiency, sustainability and resiliency on their farm operations.New for 2026:

  • The maximum OFCAF funding has increased to $100,000 from $75,000.
  • The maximum funding under Nitrogen Management Amendment is $20,000 in total received during the period 2022 to 2028.
  • New BMP: Rotational Grazing Virtual Fencing – new template and checklist.
  • New BMP: Cover Crop Seeding Drones – new template.

OFCAF Program Guide | OFCAF

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

Siwin secures major Agri-Processing Tax Credit

Alberta’s Agri-Processing Investment Tax Credit (APITC) continues to attract large-scale investment in the agri-food sector and builds on the province’s other competitive advantages. Siwin Foods Ltd. (Siwin) has received a tax credit of just over $1.8 million through the APITC for the completion of its Edmonton facility expansion, which saw more than $46 million invested in Alberta and created more than 100 jobs. More information

Lethbridge Polytechnic to offer new Pre-Veterinary Medicine diploma 

Applications are now open for Lethbridge Polytechnic’s Pre-Veterinary Medicine diploma, launching fall 2026. This foundational sciences program prepares students for advanced professional studies in veterinary medicine while also offering versatile career pathways in the animal sciences field. Over the two-year program, students will cover specialized courses in animal genetics, biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and nutrition.

Order your Blue Book

The Blue Book is a longstanding and trusted resource for Alberta farmers and agronomists, providing current pesticide application information. With over 700 pages of valuable crop protection information, spraying guidelines and farm safety, The Blue Book is an essential tool for any farming operation. The Blue Book is collaboratively produced by three of Alberta’s crop commissions – Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains and Alberta Pulse Growers. Order the 2026 Blue Book

Modernizing Alberta's Animal Protection Act

Alberta's government is updating the Animal Protection Act for the first time in 20 years. Bill 22, the Animal Protection Amendment Act, will see changes designed to improve animal welfare in the province. Proposed changes would give peace officers better tools to protect animals from distress and ensure compliance with the legislation. The amendments also expand the types of locations and businesses that can be inspected to include boarding and grooming facilities. More information

Strengthening Alberta’s ag trade ties in China

Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation RJ Sigurdson will travel to China to build stronger economic ties, diversify exports and drive long-term economic growth. Read the release. | Alberta-China advisory committee launches

Unlocking Growth and Efficiency for Alberta’s Food and Beverage Businesses

After reading about the opportunities below, we encourage you to complete this quick poll here: Unlocking Growth and Efficiency for Alberta’s Food and Beverage Businesses – Fill out form
Alberta’s food and beverage sector is one of the province’s fastest-growing and most innovative industries, yet many producers face the same operational challenge: how to scale production without overextending capital, staff, or infrastructure. AB Food Connect and the SCALE program were created to address exactly that gap. Developed by the Alberta Food Processors Association (AFPA), these free resources help businesses save time, control costs, and bring products to market faster while maintaining quality and compliance.

What is the SCALE Program?

This Strengthening Capacity & Long Term Expansion (SCALE) Program is designed to strengthen the capacity of Alberta’s food and beverage processors. AFPA provides expert coaching through Industry Navigators, specialized workshops, and tiered funding to help SMEs scale production, adopt new technologies, and improve operational efficiency. Whether challenges with CUSMA compliance, canning costs or navigating export markets, AFPA is well-positioned to help processors navigate these trade uncertainties.

What Is AB Food Connect?

AB Food Connect is an online matchmaking tool that brings together three critical parts of the food and beverage ecosystem: producers, co-packers, and commissary kitchens. The online platform allows producers who lack in-house manufacturing capacity to find qualified partners that can process, manufacture, or package products according to their specifications. Co-packers and kitchens, in turn, can showcase their capabilities, specialties, certifications, and available capacity to businesses actively seeking production partners. The service is available province-wide and is open to businesses at every stage, from start-ups and scale-ups to established brands expanding into new markets.

Co-packers and commissary kitchens benefit from increased visibility and direct access to a targeted audience actively searching for production partners. By creating a profile on the platform, service providers can highlight their equipment, certifications, production specialties, and capacity, helping ensure better-aligned business matches. Co-packing, also known as contract manufacturing or contract packaging, allows one company to outsource part or all of its production to another established facility. For many food and beverage businesses, this model reduces financial risk while enabling growth. Using a co-packer eliminates the need to invest in expensive equipment, additional space, and specialized staff, all while meeting food safety and regulatory standards. Co-packers often operate at higher efficiencies, have access to specialized equipment, and benefit from supply chain economies of scale. This allows producers to control per-unit costs while avoiding major capital investments. The platform also supports scalability and flexibility. Companies can ramp production up or down based on demand, seasonal fluctuations, or retail opportunities without the long-term financial commitments associated with owning a production facility. This is particularly valuable for businesses testing new products or entering new markets. It also lowers barriers to entry for entrepreneurs and small producers, helping more Alberta-made products reach store shelves, restaurants, and export markets.

The platform supports business development by opening the door to new partnerships, long-term contracts, and more consistent facility utilization. For co-packers looking to expand their client base or diversify product lines, AB Food Connect functions as a low-cost marketing and lead-generation tool designed specifically for the industry. As consumer demand continues to grow for locally sourced and value-added foods, this connective infrastructure becomes increasingly important for the sector. AB Food Connect simplifies what has traditionally been a time-consuming and relationship-driven process. Instead of relying on word-of-mouth or lengthy searches, producers can quickly identify partners that match their product type, scale, and operational needs.

Benefits for Food and Beverage Producers

For producers, the SCALE program and AB Food Connect can be strategic growth tools. It’s easy to access and free to use. One of the most practical advantages of the SCALE program and AB Food Connect is accessibility. Registration is simple, and the AB Food Connect platform is free to use for both producers and service providers. These programs are supported by AFPA, which brings decades of industry experience, training, and advocacy to the platform. This backing adds credibility and trust, particularly for businesses forming new production partnerships.

In an industry where margins are tight and speed to market matters, these are practical solutions to your industry challenges. By connecting the right partners at the right time, Alberta’s food and beverage businesses can operate more efficiently, scale responsibly, and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market

Interested in learning more about Unlocking Growth and Efficiency for Alberta’s Food and Beverage Businesses – Fill out the form

Flexible options make AgriStability participation easier

As AgriStability continues to evolve, farmers across Alberta now have more flexible, accessible options to protect their operations from income uncertainty. Recent program enhancements not only strengthen coverage but also make it simpler than ever for producers — large and small — to participate.

  • Easier than ever to participate only three years of historical data required; optional tax-based reference margin available.
  • Participants can request a coverage notice between May 1 and December 31 to estimate their support level for the year, adding clarity and predictability to the program.

 AgriStability

Qualified Alberta pulse growers eligible for tax credit

The Alberta Pulse Growers Commission (APG) has confirmed that 30.3 per cent of eligible producers’ 2025 check-off payment is eligible for the Scientific Research & Experimental Development tax credit for their investment in APG-funded research and development projects. Producers who have paid check-off this past year and have not asked for refunds are eligible claimants for this year’s credits. More information

National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy

Agriculture Canada announced it is partnering with the Soil Conservation Council of Canada on the development of the National Agricultural Soil Health Strategy.

The development of the Strategy will be informed through regular engagement with provinces and territories, Indigenous agricultural groups, producer organizations, academia and industry. Engagement will take place starting this spring to ensure the Strategy appropriately reflects regional realities and long-term sector priorities. More information

Supporting communities against drought and floods

Many communities face challenges keeping up with water demand, drought-proofing their infrastructure or preventing floodwaters from damaging homes and critical infrastructure. That’s why Alberta's government is investing $25 million for 12 projects through the Drought and Flood Protection Program and $3.5 million for projects through the Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program. Continue reading

Exploring opportunities in South America: seeking exporter interest

Global trade across the Americas is shifting quickly and market diversification is increasingly important for Alberta's agri-food sector. To support exporters in accessing new opportunities, Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation is exploring market development initiatives focused on agri-food exports to South America.

A proposed trade mission to Bogota, Colombia from June 8-12, 2026, is under consideration. The mission would feature market briefings, B2B meetings, and a visit to Alimentec, one of Latin America's leading food and beverage events, offering strong exposure to regional buyers and distributors.

If your company is export-ready and interested in Colombia, Peru, Ecuador or any other Latin American market, please reach out to Meghan Horosko, Senior Trade Development Officer, at meghan.horosko@gov.ab.ca.

Events, Webinars and Podcasts

FCC On-Demand Virtual Events
Farm Credit Canada (FCC) events
Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab events, virtual
AgSafe Alberta’s paid courses are FREE until May 31, 2026, using Promo Code SAFESTART26!

EFP Workshops | Virtual | April 22, May 5, May 20

Securing Global Markets for Canadian Wheat | Virtual | April 22

Alberta Next: Agribusiness | Chamber Members get 50% - Access Member pricing and registration here | April 27

Alberta AgriSystems Living Lab events, virtual | Composting 101 - April 29

2026 Product Advisory | Webinar | May 7

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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