The governments of Canada and Manitoba are launching a new pilot program that rewards farmers for adopting sustainable management practices, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.
The Forage Advantage pilot will offer Manitoba farmers a 15 per cent discount on Forage Establishment Insurance premiums for growing perennial forage crops on designated land. Farmers will also be eligible for discounts on Basic or Select Hay Insurance or Forage Seed Insurance once the forage crop goes into production the following year. These insurance options are available under the Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation’s (MASC) AgriInsurance program, which provides protection against yield losses due to natural hazards such as drought, excess moisture, and disease.
“The Forage Advantage pilot reflects our governments’ shared commitment to innovation and sustainability in agriculture,” said MacDonald. “By encouraging farmers to establish perennial forage on marginal land, we’re supporting practices that improve soil health, enhance water management, and increase biodiversity, all of which strengthen farmland resilience against climate change.”
Growing forages on marginal land benefits both farmers and the environment. It improves soil fertility, enhances water filtration and drainage, reduces weed and disease pressure, and increases carbon sequestration. Forage crops also support biodiversity and pollinators, while helping farmland become more resilient to climate change.
The pilot is available for the 2026 crop year to producers establishing forage on marginal land—areas not consistently profitable for annual crops due to excessive moisture, drought, salinity, erosion, or poor soil quality. MASC defines marginal land as soil zones H, I, and J, which represent the least productive soils in Manitoba. Farmers who select Forage Establishment Insurance and plant forage on designated acres will automatically receive a credit toward their premiums.
“The Forage Advantage pilot supports the Manitoba government’s mandate to foster innovation and research in the agricultural sector, including opportunities to expand regenerative agriculture,” said Kostyshyn. “By encouraging the adoption of sustainable practices, this program helps farmers protect their land while maintaining productive and resilient operations.”
In addition, the governments of Canada and Manitoba recently increased their funding to the Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) program by $500,000. SAM is a cost-shared program delivered under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. This investment supports farmers in integrating innovative and adaptive practices, focused on cropland, livestock, and water management, such as perennial cover for sensitive lands. These measures complement the Forage Advantage pilot and strengthen long-term resilience on farm.
“By increasing funding for the SAM program, we are helping even more Manitoba farmers adopt sustainable practices,” said Kostyshyn. “This additional investment reinforces our commitment to growing a strong and environmentally responsible agriculture sector in the province.”
The Sustainable CAP is a five-year investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.