Grainswest - Winter 2026

Winter 2026 grainswest.com 33 Two well-known private insurance companies are Agi3 in Winnipeg, MB, and Global Ag Risk Solutions (Gars), based in Moose Jaw, SK. Gars describes itself as a “whole farm” risk management option that covers a farmer’s input costs and a gross margin they choose over and above those costs. “Not only are you protected in a worst-case scenario, you’re also positioned to take advantage of marketing opportunities that are simply too risky for most producers with traditional farm insurance products,” reads the Gars website. Agi3 aims to push the boundaries of product delivery. According to its website: “Our vision is to transform agricultural risk management with AI-driven solutions that enhance farm productivity, resilience and long-term sustainability—while creating the most advanced digital ecosystem for farmers and industry partners.” This may rightly be balked at by a Liberal government. Prime Minister Mark Carney has demonstrated he’s not as pro public service as his predecessor Justin Trudeau. However, the addition of government approved private delivery to the BRM suite would be a real coup for the private sector, should it happen. At FPT this summer, CAPI will promote new directions in the three core priority areas of innovation, risk management and environmental programming. McCann said agricultural innovation has largely stalled and investment is nowhere to be found while outdated environmental farm plans need a refresh. TAKE RESPONSIBILITY Risk management must start at the farm gate, rather than Wellington Street. And, at the risk of sounding glib, McCann said thinking about a plan is not a plan. “The evidence tells us when you take the time and you write it down and you force yourself to go through and say, ‘What are the risks I’m worried about? How do I manage them and deal with them?’ you change how you think and act about these things.” In January 2025, CAPI surveyed 668 Canadian farmers about risk management. Almost a third predicted their risk level would not increase that year, even with the knowledge U.S. President Donald Trump intended to blow up trade relations with Canada. This didn’t surprise McCann. It was risk-aware and risk-savvy farmers with real BRM plans who registered least concern. “When it comes to risk management, they approach their work as business managers differently.” The size of a farm is not the measure of one’s risk appetite either, he said, and added it’s a mindset criteria, not one of acres or livestock head count. Certain farmers view their best risk management plan as income from an off-farm job, indicating they may consider farming a part-time job. McCann reminds farmers the best farm management strategy for risk is to make the first move. “Farmers are their own first best line of defence, and that should be the start of the risk management discussion. What can they do proactively to ensure they’re better positioned to deal with this changing risk landscape? Then we should talk about what is the program suite that’s available to them.” PRAIRIE VIEWS Farming in Western Canada is little subsidized. Still, the programs farmers access must be sensible, and they are, said Shannon Sereda, Alberta Grains’ director of government relations, policy and markets. She characterizes the federal BRM suite as responsive and said AgriInsurance is by far the most subscribed and pragmatic product a farmer can buy. Still, she believes the winds of change must blow. Sereda feels the most important stakeholders are the farmers who aren’t even in the game yet. “As we re-evaluate these programs, we really need to look at who the next generation of farmers is and what their needs are,” she said. As an example, she cites crop insurance premiums, which are based on a farmer’s five-year average. A young person without this history starts out at a disadvantage. By 2032, the face of farming will drastically differ as widespread farm transition will have occurred. Program redevelopment will be critical for new farmers, said Sereda. Many farmers over 55, she noted, have strong access to capital and a healthy asset base with some even going as far as self-insuring and not using as many government programs. This won’t be the case for new entrants. “They’re going to require that support to be able to protect their investments and the viability of farming. That’s going to be a big factor in attracting the next generation to the farm,” said Sereda. “Our focus is ensuring programs meet the needs of the next generation and ensuring they continue and that crop insurance persists to be able to provide a level of security for farmers that it has, and that’s allowed them to thrive.” “They’re going to require that support to be able to protect their investments and the viability of farming. That’s going to be a big factor in attracting the next generation to the farm.” —Shannon Sereda