The Saskatchewan government released its 2025-26 provincial budget this past week (March 19), bringing some key impacts farmers, landowners and the agriculture industry. Here’s what you need to know—and how it affects you.
Lower Education Property Taxes for Farmland
To offset rising property assessments, the government is reducing the education property tax mill rate for agricultural land from 1.42 to 1.07.
What This Means for Farmers: This means farmland owners will see a decrease in their tax bills.
Grazing Lease Rental Rates Capped
Farmers who lease Crown land for grazing will benefit from a simplified rental formula and a 20% cap on rental fee increases.
What This Means for Farmers: More stability in lease costs for cattle producers.
Rural Infrastructure Investments
The government is investing in the Rural Integrated Roads for Growth (RIRG) Program to improve rural roads and transportation networks.
What This Means for Farmers: Better roads mean easier movement of equipment, livestock and grain, which can improve efficiency and potentially increase land values.
More Support for Business Risk Management
A record $484 million is allocated for Crop Insurance and AgriStability, helping protect farmers from weather, market fluctuations, and unexpected losses.
What This Means for Farmers: These safety nets provide more security, helping manage financial risks and stabilize farm incomes.
Potential Trade Challenges Ahead
While the budget supports agriculture, there’s concern over potential U.S. tariffs on key Saskatchewan exports like canola oil and peas. No contingency funds have been set aside to offset this risk.
What This Means for Farmers: If these tariffs happen, crop prices could be affected. It’s something to watch closely in the coming months.
Final Thoughts
The 2025-26 Saskatchewan budget brings positive changes for farmers, with tax reductions, stable lease rates, infrastructure improvements, and continued support for risk management. However, trade uncertainties remain a challenge.
📩 Have questions about farm and ranch real estate? Contact Murdoch Farm Team—helping you navigate Saskatchewan’s agricultural land market. If you’re buying, selling, or investing in farmland, these updates can help guide your decisions.