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

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

Headlines

New Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation

Premier Danielle Smith has made changes to cabinet, including the transition of Minister RJ Sigurdson from Agriculture and Irrigation to become the Minister of Affordability and Utilities. Tara Sawyer, elected as the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills is the new Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. Local MLA, Justin Wright, has been appointed Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services. Read the news release | Learn more about Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Tara Sawyer

New Yuill School of Agriculture in Medicine Hat

The Yuill School of Agriculture is Alberta’s first dedicated agricultural high school — a 76-acre working farm where students earn their diploma while building real careers. Made possible by the generosity of the Yuill Family Foundation, which donated 76 acres of land outside Medicine Hat, Alberta to Prairie Rose Public Schools for this purpose. More than 25 Advisory Council members — ranchers, agribusinesses, agromonists, equipment dealers, food processors, and community leaders from across southeastern Alberta — have shaped the curriculum, the farm, and the programming at every step. Learn more about the school on their website.

Federal funding boosts Alberta-based agriculture innovation

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has announced a $30-million investment in six not-for-profit organizations across Canada to accelerate clean technology development across the agriculture sector. Alberta-based CAAIN (Canadian Agri-Food Automation and Intelligence Network) will receive up to $6.25 million. This investment establishes CAAIN as a key accelerator in driving the development of sustainable agricultural solutions. Read the media release

Advocacy for the Inclusion of Veterinarians into the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Access to rural veterinarians and animal health technicians is vital to the safety, sustainability, and success of agricultural producers across the country.

The Government of Canada has implemented the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program to attract and retain essential professionals in rural and underserviced areas. Examples of eligible occupations include family doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, and pharmacists. However, veterinarians and animal health technicians are not included in the list of occupations eligible for student loan forgiveness. The exclusion of veterinarians and animal health technicians from this federal incentive is a missed opportunity to support a critical service in rural communities that has a direct impact on the economic stability of the country.

To support further advocacy for the inclusion of veterinarians and animal health technicians into the Canada Student Loan Forgiveness Program, a survey has been created to show the economic value of veterinary access in Alberta. The survey is intended to gather input from Albertan farmers and ranchers about the importance of veterinary services to agricultural productivity, animal health, and business viability. All responses are anonymous and the deadline to complete the survey is June 30, 2026.

Consultations on the Next Policy Framework

Consultations on the Next Policy Framework (NPF) for the sector were launched in January. The NPF is a 5-year (2028–2033) federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) investment aimed at strengthening and growing Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.

The NPF will succeed the current Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), which is in effect from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2028. The feedback collected will help guide the vision and priorities for the framework and will inform the policy statement to be announced by FPT Ministers in July 2026.

This survey, which will inform the first phase of the consultation process, will be open until June 30, 2026. Participate in the survey

AFSC extending seeding dates for the 2026 crop year

Agriculture Financial Services (AFSC) is extending the recommended seeding dates in the North East, North West and Peace regions for several crops for the 2026 growing season due to above-average snowfall in April, prolonged winter conditions and ongoing spring rainfall. These conditions have resulted in excessive soil moisture, particularly in central, eastern and northern Alberta, and have delayed seeding operations. More information

Funding, Resources & Programs

AFSC Upcoming Deadlines

A reminder from AFSC for the following June deadlines:

  • June 20 - Annual Crop Insurance: Last day to file Land Reports, and report acres that remain unseeded due to excessive moisture.
  • June 25 - Hail Insurance: Premiums received by AFSC the later of June 25 or within 15 days of billing date receive an early payment discount.
  • June 25 - Perennial Crop Insurance: Premiums received by AFSC the later of June 25 or within 15 days of billing date receive an early payment discount.
  • June 25 - Annual Crop Insurance: Premiums received by AFSC the later of June 25 or within 15 days of billing date receive an early payment discount.
  • June 25 - Annual Crop Insurance: Last day to file Land Reports (with penalty).
  • June 30 - Honey Insurance: Last day to return hives to their primary location and file Report of Producing Hives and Hive Yard Location forms.
  • June 30 - AgriStability: Last day to submit 2025 program year forms (without penalty).

 View all AFSC deadlines here

AgriInvest

AgriInvest is one of the business risk management programs under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). AgriInvest is a self-managed producer-government savings account designed to help you manage small income declines and make investments to manage risk and improve market income. Each year, you can deposit up to 100% of your Allowable Net Sales to your AgriInvest account and receive a matching government contribution on 1% of your Allowable Net Sales. Your AgriInvest account grows as you make deposits, receive matching government contributions and earn interest. You can withdraw funds from your AgriInvest account any time. Find out more

Canadian Beef Check-off Scholarship Opportunity

The Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency has established a scholarship to encourage and support students pursuing post-secondary studies in the field of agriculture, agricultural research, or with an agriculture background pursuing studies in marketing. One scholarship of $2,000 is available annually. Apply for this scholarship before June 30.

2026 Barley Scholarship

Applications are being accepted for the 2026 Barley Scholarship. Up to 3 awards of $2,000 are available for students in wheat/barley research. The application deadline is June 30. Learn more and apply.

Straight Hail Insurance 2026

Straight Hail Insurance provides protection for spot-loss damage to crops caused by hail, accidental fire and fire caused by lightning. New in 2026, for cocktail crops insurable under Straight Hail Insurance, mixed grain is now eligible as a primary crop. This means that cocktail crops with two cereal crops making up the majority of the plant stand, minimum 35 per cent or greater, will now be eligible for insurance. More information.

FREE AgSafe Training Available!

AgSafe Alberta’s new and improved Health and Safety Committee Awareness Training and Health and Safety Representative Awareness Training are FREE until June 30, 2026 using promo code HSRHSC26. Learn more.

Need Safety Help on Your Farm?

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

Fixed vs. Variable Rates: A Cash Flow Analysis During an Energy Crisis

There are many different factors to consider when choosing between a fixed and variable rate. This includes, but is not limited to, the timing of capital investments (loans being paid off, when new investments will be required); product features, including prepayment limits and fees; cash flow and structure of existing debt, including existing floating debt exposure; and one's own risk tolerance. Read more here.

Funding Opportunity for Alberta Producers: Addressing the Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program

Are you an Alberta agriculture producer or agri-food processor looking to strengthen your HR practices and improve employee retention? Through the Addressing the Agriculture Labour Task Force Grant Program, eligible Alberta producers and agri-food processors may receive funding covering up to 90% of eligible project costs, with grants ranging from $5,000 to $30,000.

The funding is being provided through the Canada-Alberta Labour Market Development Agreement and administered by Ag for Life. All approved projects must be completed by November 30, 2026.

Additional Government & Industry News and Information

6 Ways to Protect Your Farm’s Data

Safety protocols for technology on the farm deserve the same amount of attention as the safety protocols you have in place for operating farm machinery. Private details, such as banking and financial information and employees’ personal details, are examples of digital farm data that are crucial to running your operation and are meant to be accessible to a select few.  However, malicious software, called malware, can infiltrate your computer or smartphone through viruses or spyware, damaging files and stealing information. Sometimes, those behind the infiltration will lock owners out of the computer, encrypt files and hold access for ransom. Cyber defence experts say farms, like many small and medium-sized businesses that use devices such as mobile phones and laptops for both personal and business purposes, can also be targets. Read more to find out steps you can take to increase your safety protocols, also known as cybersecurity, of your farm operation.

Number of employees in the agriculture sector edges up in 2024

Statistics Canada reports there were 280,991 employees in the agriculture sector in 2024, edging up 0.1 per cent from 2023. Almost half of all agricultural workers were employed in horticulture industries in 2024. Oilseed and grain farming remained the second-largest employer in the sector, with its number of agricultural employees rising 1.1 per cent to 49,456. Check out all the numbers

New resource - Be Prepared for wildfire

With wildfire season already underway across Alberta, the time for preparation is now. The new Be Prepared: Wildfire emergency preparedness guide is a comprehensive resource to help Albertans prepare before, during and after a wildfire. Developed in collaboration with subject matter experts, it serves as a trusted source of information to ensure communities have the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively to wildfire activity

New Blue Book App puts farm decisions in farmers’ hands

Alberta’s three largest crop commissions, Alberta Canola, Alberta Grains and Alberta Pulse Growers, have launched a new mobile app for Alberta’s Crop Protection Guide, better known as the Blue Book, giving farmers and agronomists convenient, on the go access to crop protection guidance.

Developed collaboratively by the three commissions, the Blue Book app is now available for download on Apple and Android devices. This launch follows feedback gathered in 2024, when producers and agronomists identified a growing need for a mobile-friendly version of the long-standing resource. Learn more |  The Blue Book

Events, Webinars and Podcasts

Connecting Women in Agriculture video series

Beyond the Yield - a new podcast from Alberta Grains

Watch the Replay: FCC Young Farmer Summit Part 1 - Navigate farm transition

AI and Advanced Manufacturing Webinar | June 23

Protozoal Diseases in Cattle Webinar | June 24

Pasture Powerup | Patricia | June 24

Virtual EFP Workshops | June 26 | July 8 | July 22

23rd Annual Southern Alberta Grazing School for Women | Cassils Community Centre Near Brooks | July 22-23

Alberta Open Farm Days - Learn more and get ready! | August 15-16

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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