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

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

Headlines

Major Congressional Letter Urges Trump Administration to Preserve CUSMA Due to Benefits for Agriculture 

On November 21, co-chairs of the Congressional Agriculture Trade Caucus, Reps. Jimmy Panetta, Adrian Smith, Jim Costa, and Dusty Johnson, along with over one hundred other members of Congress, sent a joint letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer advocating for the preservation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) to support American agriculture.  

The letter noted that since the implementation of CUSMA, U.S. agricultural exports have increased significantly, with exports to Mexico rising by $10.7 billion and to Canada by $7.6 billion. The joint letter received the support of numerous major U.S. agricultural industry groups that all voiced their support for maintaining and enhancing CUSMA, emphasizing its importance for market access and trade relations. Supportive groups included the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Pork Producers Council, and the Wine Institute, among others. 

 This strong statement of support for the CUSMA from Congress and influential U.S. agricultural groups underscores that Canada remains an essential agricultural market for the U.S. — an important positive signal as Canada prepares for the CUSMA 2026 review.

Strengthening Traceability: Be Ready for Upcoming Regulatory Changes

As Canada prepares for updates to the national livestock traceability regulations, CCIA is encouraging producers to start using the new CLTS movement record module and ensure their Premises Identification Numbers are up to date. Early adoption helps reduce the administrative burden once federal amendments take effect and supports smoother reporting across the livestock supply chain. Learn More - January 21-March 25, 2026.

Wildlife Predator Compensation

On December 10, through the Orders in Council, Minister Sigurdson updated the Agriculture Financial Services Act by adding compensation for Wildlife Predators. A person whose livestock is killed or injured through predation by wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, cougars or eagles may claim from the Corporation wildlife predator compensation for the death of or injury to the livestock. To be eligible for compensation, the claimant must within 3 days of learning of the death of or injury to the livestock, report the death or injury to an appointed officer, and apply for compensation through AFSC. ⁠Find out more.

Revitalizing rural and agricultural infrastructure

The province is delivering on its commitment to rural Alberta with a sustained $2.5-million annual investment for major agricultural society facility upgrades. Since 2023, the province has taken action to support ag societies through the Agricultural Societies Infrastructure Revitalization Program, strengthening the quality of life in rural communities. The program has delivered $7.5 million in total grants for 106 ag society projects over the past three years, including funds allocated this year. Read more

Pre-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 publication is collaboratively produced by three of Alberta’s crop commissions – Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains and Alberta Pulse Growers. Order your 2026 Blue Book

Funding Resources

Fully Funded Business Growth Training

Now accepting applications for FULL FUNDING to enroll in Jelly Academy’s Bootcamp with Digital Marketing Skills Canada thanks to Upskill Canada (Powered by Palette Skills) and the Government of Canada! Apply to join the next cohort for the 10 week course that qualifies you for Canada’s most in demand job: Growth Marketing. Identify if you qualify and apply now.

Producer Research and Evaluation Project

Funding is available for on-farm research that helps producers evaluate the feasibility and impact of new production practices, technologies or products under real farm conditions. This opportunity is designed to help producers generate meaningful, farm-specific data to support informed decision making and advance profitability, competitiveness and sustainability. Apply now and get ready for the upcoming season

Growing Alberta’s fresh food future

The new three-year, $10-milllion Growing Greenhouses program, funded by the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, will accelerate expansion in Alberta greenhouses and vertical farms to stimulate industry growth and provide fresh fruit and vegetables to Albertans throughout the year.

This program supports the controlled environment agriculture sector with new construction or expansion improvements to existing greenhouses and vertical farms that produce food at a commercial scale. It also aligns with Alberta’s Buy Local initiative launched this year as consumers will be able to purchase more local produce all year-round. View this announcement online

AFSC deadlines

A reminder from AFSC there are a number of year-end deadlines for AgriStability, insurance, lending and Livestock Price Insurance. All December 31 deadlines apply for AgriStability, insurance and lending payments. Payments made through a banking institution or postmarked by December 31 will be considered received in 2025. More information |  AFSC deadlines

AgriStability

  • Submit 2024 supplementary forms (with penalty).
  • Pay 2025 program fees to stay eligible.
  • Request optional coverage notice for 2025.

Insurance

  • Pay outstanding premiums and avoid credit impacts.
  • File your 2025 Perennial and/or Annual Crop Insurance Harvested Production Report (with penalty).
  • Submit your Harvested Production Report by December 31 to avoid a zero yield and no indemnity payment.

Lending

  • Loan Disbursements requests must be submitted by 4:30 p.m., December 19.
  • Revolving Loan funding requests must be completed online by 6 a.m., December 23.
  • Requests received after these cutoffs will be processed starting January 2, 2026.

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

Help Shape Workforce Solutions – Share Your Voice

In just one minute, you can help paint a real-time picture of staffing realities covering hiring expectations, recruitment challenges, workforce gaps, and emerging needs. These insights aren’t just collected… they are actively shared with policymakers to support smarter workforce planning, targeted investments, and more responsive policy action. Complete the survey.

Taste of Western Canada tradeshow

The Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is pleased to invite companies to apply to participate in the third edition of the Taste of Western Canada, a premier tabletop event held in partnership with the Calgary Stampede. This event provides Western Canadian food and beverage companies with an exclusive opportunity to showcase their products to qualified domestic and international buyers, distributors and importers from the retail and food and beverage service sectors.

Participation is free, although companies are responsible for their own sampling and travel costs. Companies will be selected based on fit for the show, including retail and export readiness and alignment with buyer interests. This event is not open to alcohol or cannabis companies.

To register, complete the application form here. The deadline to apply is January 12, 2026. For more information, contact Megan Colpitts and Evan Buie at alberta.tcs-sdc@international.gc.ca.

New FCC Report: Propelling agricultural productivity in Canada: Sustainable growth to feed the world

Canada has long been a standout among global food producers. Over the past half-century, Canadian agriculture has enjoyed significant productivity growth due to better farm management, input efficiency, and technological innovation. In a new report, FCC’s Thought Leadership team predicts that revitalizing agricultural productivity growth in Canada could unlock $30 billion in income for farmers in the coming decade, generating up to $31 billion in GDP and supporting thousands of new jobs. Read the full report. 

Our Chamber has recognized this need and we also know that increased demand is met with finite resources in agriculture, including land, people, and investment coupled with the high costs of technological adoption and implementation, environmental and regulatory burdens and a lag in specialized education and skill development. The convergence of skills development, new technologies, regulatory and cost controls must all be coordinated to deliver an effective agriculture and agri-food strategy in order to develop the farms of the future, which is why we recommend the Government of Canada provide necessary support for the future. Read out policy.  

Strengthening Traceability: Be Ready for Upcoming Regulatory Changes

As Canada prepares for updates to the national livestock traceability regulations, CCIA is encouraging producers to start using the new CLTS movement record module and ensure their Premises Identification Numbers are up to date. Early adoption helps reduce the administrative burden once federal amendments take effect and supports smoother reporting across the livestock supply chain. Learn more here.

Productivity key to Canada's agricultural future

Canadian farmers could see significant income gains and new opportunities if agricultural productivity growth returns to historic highs. The Farm Credit Canada (FCC) report titled Reigniting agricultural productivity in Canada, estimates that boosting productivity growth to two per cent annually could unlock $30 billion in additional farm income, generate $31 billion in GDP, and create nearly 23,000 jobs across the country. Continue reading

Alberta Grains commits funding to Western Crop Innovations

Alberta Grains (AG) and Western Crop Innovations have signed a three-year Breeding and Technician Chair agreement. AG has committed $600,000 over the agreement term at a dispersal rate of $200,000 per year to fund one Breeder position and one senior Technician position to support continued research and development for feed barley breeding in Alberta. Continue reading

Events, Webinars and Podcasts

Register Now for the BCRC's Free Webinars for Beef Producers and Veterinary Teams: Registration is open for the Beef Cattle Research Council’s 2025-2026 four-part webinar series. Each session will dig into topics that have an impact on your bottom line, including whether hormone implants are the right fit for your calves, how water quality and systems lead to better herd performance and what you can do to reduce the risk of calf losses. Register now.

FCC Young Farmer Summit: Sharpen your farm management skills and sign up for this free event designed for young farmers under 40. Learn from industry experts, connect with peers and gain the knowledge you need to take your farm game to the next level. Learn more and register for an event near you

Agronomy Update: Stay informed and ready for the growing season at Agronomy Update 2026, a virtual event designed to share the latest, research-based agronomic information for farmers and agronomists across Alberta. Join industry experts and researchers online for two days of timely insights (January 13 and 14), practical tools and updates to help you make informed decisions in the field. Register now

Build your financial confidence | January 13 | Online event: Register now

RDAR showcase - Exploring new horizons: Join RDAR for the 2026 Research Showcase on January 21, celebrating the research, innovation and collaboration driving Alberta's agriculture forward. This year’s event is available both in person and virtually; however, participants are encouraged to join in person to fully experience the networking and poster presentations firsthand. Learn more and register for the January 21 showcase

Economic Outlook | January 22 | Online event: Register now

Irrigated Crop Production Update: Lethbridge Polytechnic, in partnership with industry, producers, academics and government representatives, is hosting the 2026 Irrigated Crop Production Update on January 22.The conference features several presentations. Learn more and register for the January 22 conference

Farm Financial Fluency Training | January 19, 20 & 22 | Producers of all types and across all commodities will benefit from a deeper understanding of their financial situation and the different options available to remain competitive and take calculated risks for continued success. https://fmc-gac.com/fff/

Mastering Your Farm Budget | January 27 | Online event: Register now

Economic Update – Navigating today's economic environment: In this recorded webinar, the FCC Economics team reviews the current economic and financial variables affecting farm, food and beverage, and agribusinesses – and what to expect for the remainder of 2025.

Registration is now open for the Beef Cattle Research Council’s 2025-2026 four-part webinar series starting January 2026

Gaining influence through numbers | February 5 | Online event: Register now

Virtual FCC Young Farmer Summit Part 1 - March 17 | Virtual FCC Young Farmer Summit Part 2 - March 31

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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