What is AgriStability / AgriInvest and does it matter when buying a farm?

AgriStability and AgriInvest are federal-provincial business risk management programs for Canadian farmers, and they can matter when you are evaluating a farm's income stability. AgriStability provides a payment when a farm's margin — its revenue minus eligible expenses — drops below a historical reference, protecting against large income declines from things like crop failure, price drops, or disaster. AgriInvest is a savings account where you set aside funds and the government matches a percentage, usable for income shortfalls or investment.

These programs do not affect the purchase price directly, but they can affect the farm's financial viability and resilience, and a buyer who understands them can plan for income stability. Eligibility and payment calculations depend on the farm's financial records, the program year, and the specific rules in effect, and a farm with a history of participation may have records that help you understand its income pattern.

I am not a program administrator, so I do not advise on eligibility or payments, but I flag these programs for buyers evaluating a farm's financial picture. Read our Financing guide for the broader framework, and verify current program details with the provincial and federal agricultural bodies, because the programs change.