The sign-up period for the Irritability program has reopened so producers affected by wildfires and drought can consider enrolling to manage business risks.

Alberta producers can sign up for Irritability now until Sept. 27th. 

The original deadline to enrol was April 30th but considering the wildfire and drought situation since then it was decided to give producers a better opportunity to look at their business risks.

The Province and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, through AgriStability, protects Canadian producers against large declines in farming income due to production loss, increased costs and market conditions. 

"Our government has listened to farmers and ranchers who have been impacted by wildfires and drought. We know they need support options to make it through this growing season," said RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation. " Allowing late participation in AgriStability will enable them to reassess their business risks and make an informed decision about signing up to protect their operations and livelihoods."

Enrolling in AgriStability can provide producers with access to other credit options like the federal Advanced Payments Program, which offers low-cost cash advances.

"Alberta's producers have shown great resiliency and the ability to rise to the extreme challenges brought on by wildfires and drought. Risk management programs like AgriStability are essential to help producers manage these threats to their operations,and we want to ensure they have the time they need to make decisions that are right for their business," Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Lawrence MacAulay says, 

In Alberta, producers sign up for AgriStability and access benefits through Agriculture Financial Services Corporation.