Important changes are coming for both AgriInvest and AgriStability for producers in Saskatchewan. In late 2024, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada announced changes to the AgriInvest program for 2025. Similarly, the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC) has also made changes to the AgriStability filing deadline in Saskatchewan beginning with the 2024 program year.
Understanding these updates now will help farmers make informed decisions and ensure they continue to benefit from these financial support programs. For more details, refer to the official Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada and Government of Saskatchewan announcements:
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Changes to AgriInvest for 2025
Producers who want to maximize their benefits under the program should take note of these AgriInvest program changes and prepare accordingly. Missing the new deadlines or failing to complete the necessary environmental assessment could mean losing out on government contributions.
1. Earlier Filing Deadlines
One of the biggest shifts coming in 2025 is a new, earlier schedule for submitting your AgriInvest form. For the 2025 program year, you must file by June 30, 2026, to avoid penalties. There is still a final deadline—September 30, 2026—but any filing after June 30 will incur a 5% reduction to your matchable deposit for every month or partial month that you are late. This moves up the calendar substantially, so keeping thorough farm records and coordinating with your accountant becomes even more important.
2. Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment (AERA) Requirement
Another significant change involves a new focus on sustainability. If your average allowable net sales (ANS), before any limits are applied, is at least $1 million for the previous three program years, then you must complete an agri-environmental risk assessment (AERA) to qualify for the government’s matching contributions. An AERA pinpoints environmental risks on your operation (such as water and nutrient management) and recommends practical steps to improve farm sustainability, reduce operating costs, and preserve natural resources.
This new requirement stems from a broader governmental commitment to addressing climate change and promoting environmental stewardship within Canadian agriculture. The introduction of this condition means producers with large-scale operations (or those nearing the $1 million mark in average ANS) should start planning immediately. Examples of valid agri-environmental risk assessments can include provincial Environmental Farm Plans, organic certification standards, or specialized nutrient management plans.
3. Declaring Your Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment (AERA)
If you do fall into the category that requires an AERA, you must declare that you have an eligible and valid risk assessment in place for the 2025 program year. It’s important to submit this declaration through your My AAFC Account before making any matchable deposit. If you deposit before declaring, the matching contributions may be held up until your documentation is in order. And if you don’t submit the declaration at all, you will not receive the government match for that year—even though you can technically still take part in the program by making your deposit.
Important AERA Declaration Dates
In compliance with AgriInvest requirements, AERA declarations can be made along with your year-end tax filing deadlines in your My AAFC Account.
Here are important AERA declaration deadline dates:
- January 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by January 31, 2025
- February 28/29 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by February 28, 2025
- March 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by March 31, 2025
- April 30 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by April 30, 2025
- May 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by May 31, 2025
- June 30 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by June 30, 2025
- July 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by July 31, 2025
- August 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by August 31, 2025
- September 30 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by September 30, 2025
- October 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by October 31, 2025
- November 30 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by November 30, 2025
- December 31 Year-End: Complete AERA declaration by December 31, 2025
- Note: Unincorporated AgriInvest enrollees must submit their AERA declaration by December 31, 2025.
How to Prepare for AgriInvest Changes in 2025
To stay ahead of the new rules, farmers should take three key steps:
1. Assess Your Allowable Net Sales (ANS)
To determine if you’ll face the new AERA requirement, the first step is to calculate your average ANS over the past three program years. If it’s near or exceeds $1 million, you should plan on completing an assessment and making sure it’s valid at some point during your 2025 fiscal year. Don’t wait: if you need to gather documents or clarify certain aspects of your revenue, start early.
2. Update Your Record-Keeping and Filing Strategy
With the filing dates moving up to June 30 for penalty-free submission, keeping organized records will be crucial. Planning to have your financial statements and supporting documents prepared well in advance enables you to meet the earlier deadline and avoid unnecessary reductions to your matchable deposit. It’s wise to coordinate closely with your accountant or advisor to ensure a seamless and timely process.
3. Obtain or Renew Your Environmental Assessment
For those required to have a valid risk assessment, investigate your provincial options now. In many regions, Environmental Farm Plans or similar certifications can take several weeks or months to coordinate. If you already completed an assessment, check whether it’s still current—or if it expires soon—to ensure you remain eligible for government contributions. Timing matters, and a lapse could mean losing the government match during the 2025 program year.
Understanding the AgriInvest Program
The AgriInvest Program is designed to help producers manage financial ups and downs by allowing them to deposit up to 100% of their Allowable Net Sales (ANS) into a special savings account. The government matches the first 1% of these contributions, with deposits divided into two funds:
- Fund 1 (your contributions) – Withdrawals are tax-free.
- Fund 2 (government contributions & interest) – Taxed upon withdrawal.
To qualify, you must farm in Canada, report farming income (or loss) on your tax return, and submit your AgriInvest form on time.
Tax Considerations
While AgriInvest is a valuable savings tool, withdrawals from Fund 2 (government match & interest) are taxed. If you’re withdrawing funds, work with your accountant to time your withdrawals in a way that minimizes tax burdens.
Changes to the Saskatchewan AgriStability Program
SCIC has implemented a significant change to the AgriStability program submission timeline. An important change made for the 2024 program year (affecting current year filings): producers must submit their AgriStability forms by June 30, 2025. This adjustment marks an important shift from the previous September 30 deadline that had been in place for many years.
Rationale for the Change
This new submission date addresses longstanding feedback from producers regarding the challenges of managing program documentation during harvest season. The June 30 deadline now aligns with typical tax filing periods, allowing producers to streamline their administrative processes and manage their documentation more efficiently.
Program Processing Improvements
The reasoning for the revised timeline allows SCIC to begin processing AgriStability files earlier in the year, resulting in faster application review and more timely payment distribution. This enhanced efficiency particularly benefits producers who experience financial challenges and require prompt support through the program.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 AgriInvest and AgriStability updates bring new challenges, but they also present an opportunity to improve farm financial planning and sustainability efforts. Producers who prepare early—by keeping their records in order, completing environmental assessments if needed, and submitting forms on time—will ensure they continue to receive the full benefits of AgriInvest.
If you have any questions about how these changes affect your farm, reach out to your accountant or advisor as soon as possible. Staying ahead of these deadlines will keep your farm’s finances on solid ground for the future.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I miss the June 30, 2026 AgriInvest deadline?
A: You can still file by September 30, 2026, but your matchable deposit will be reduced by 5% for each month you are late.
Q: How do I know if I need an Agri-Environmental Risk Assessment (AERA)?
A: If your average ANS over the past three program years is $1 million or more, you need an AERA to qualify for the government match.
Q: Can I submit my environmental assessment after making my deposit?
A: Yes, but your government match will be withheld until you submit a valid AERA declaration in My AAFC Account.
Q: When is the new deadline for submitting AgriStability forms?
A: The deadline for submitting 2024 AgriStability forms is June 30, 2025.
