Winnipeg, MB – Today, Manitoba’s 2026 budget was announced by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Adrien Sala, which highlighted the provincial government’s priorities for the upcoming year.

“Manitoba farmers are dealing with trade and tariff uncertainty while also facing rising costs with significant increases to fertilizer and fuel prices,” said KAP General Manager, Colin Hornby. “Continued funding in key areas like loan programs, veterinary initiatives, and enhancements to insurance coverage, and new initiatives on trade, are welcomed. These are challenging times and KAP will continue working with the provincial government to advocate for Manitoba farmers.”

Budget 2026 saw new investment to support the Veterinary Medical Services Strategy and increased funding for Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC) programming, with the Young Farmer Rebate increasing to $42,500 and accompanying loan limit to $425,000, the direct loan limit increasing from $5.75 million to $6.25 million and the stocker loan limit up from $1.4 million to $1.6 million.

“As a partner in the creation of the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Services Strategy, new funding focused on veterinary recruitment in rural areas and for clinical mentorships for internationally educated veterinarians, as well as increases to tuition rebates and summer employment opportunities, will help with addressing the veterinary shortage,” said KAP President Jill Verwey. “In addition, continued investment in MASC programming and the continued freeze of Ag Crown Land leases will directly support current farm operations and the next generation of farmers in the province.”

The creation of a new Economic Development Agency was also announced, as well as the launch of Manitoba’s Trade and Diversification Plan in spring 2026.

“KAP’s Agriculture Trade Action Plan calls on the provincial government to be proactive on market access to ensure the trade environment reflects the needs and priorities of farmers,” added Hornby. “We look forward to working with the government on its Manitoba’s Trade and Diversification Plan and urge them to have agriculture at the forefront of this plan.”

KAP’s pre-budget recommendations included a number of additional actions the provincial government could have taken to address issues impacting farmers related to tax, drainage, and regulatory burden.

“We will continue to advocate for the introduction of a Tax Credit Program for Young Farmers, the complete removal of the education property tax on farm properties with an accompanying funding model that does not require farmers to pay a disproportionate amount, and areas of regulatory reform to reduce red tape for farmers,” noted Hornby. “Additionally, maintenance of the drainage network continues to be a top concern identified by Manitoba farmers, and this will require enhanced investments to ensure a modern, maintained drainage network that works for Manitoba farms.”

Budget 2026 also included $262.5 million in federal and provincial funding over five years for Arctic Gateway Group to improve the Port of Churchill and rail line, $660,000 over two years towards digital agriculture progress, and a further $60 million to advance the Prairie Innovation Centre for Sustainable Agriculture at Assiniboine College.

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For more information:

Lisha Hassanali

Communications and Stakeholder Relations Manager

Keystone Agricultural Producers

Email: Lisha.Hassanali@kap.ca

Tel: (204) 924-6014