Winnipeg, MB – Today, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) is responding to Manitoba’s 2025 budget, announced by the Minister of Finance, Hon. Adrien Sala, which highlighted the provincial government’s priorities for the upcoming year.
“With tariffs from two of our largest trading partners, U.S. and China, as the top threat facing Manitoba farmers, we are encouraged to see a commitment in Budget 2025 to $100 million in future appropriations for support to mitigate financial losses for Manitoba farm operations,” said KAP General Manager, Colin Hornby. “KAP will continue working with the provincial government advocating to ensure Manitoba farmers get the support they need during these challenging times.”
Budget 2025 saw increases in funding to programming and resources utilized by Manitoba farmers, including supports for the next generation of farmers and loan facilities through Manitoba Agricultural Services Corporation (MASC).
“KAP supports the increases in funding and loan limits that will help Manitoba farmers manage their operations,” said KAP President, Jill Verwey. “These include $500,000 more for the Sustainable Agriculture Manitoba (SAM) program, the Young Farmer Rebate increasing to $40,000 and accompanying loan limit to $400,000, MASC direct loan limit increasing from $5.25 million to $5.75 million and the stocker loan limit from $1 million to $1.4 million.”
In addition to the items above, KAP would encourage action on additional items including those from our pre-budget recommendations.
“As noted in previous years’ budgets, we continue calling on the province to work toward the complete removal of the tax on farm properties and bring in a funding model that does not disproportionally impact Manitoba farmers,” noted Hornby and Verwey. “Additional actions we recommend the government take in 2025 include Right to Repair legislation, program changes and funding increases for the Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) program, and further action involving the trade office in Washington, D.C. in collaboration with agricultural stakeholders.”
Other items to highlight in Budget 2025 include $36.4 million over two years for Arctic Gateway Group to improve the Port of Churchill, five additional seats for Manitoba veterinary students studying in Saskatchewan and British Columbia, an increase in the maximum value used to calculate livestock predation claims to $7,000 from $3,000 per animal, and $75,000 to support rural veterinary services districts.
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For more information:
Colin Hornby
General Manager
Keystone Agricultural Producers
Email: colin.hornby@kap.ca | Direct: (204) 898-2641