Alberta crops are shown as farmers look to the re-elected UCP government for continued investments.
Alberta farmers look to the re-elected UCP government for continued investments. Photo by Nicole Murray. Credit: Nicole Murray

Alberta’s farmers will look to the re-elected United Conservative Party government for continued investment in research and affordability measures as they grapple with severe weather and inflation.

The UCP spoke little of farmers’ needs during the election campaign in May. A survey of nearly 300 farmers by the Simpson Centre ahead of the vote showed a strong preference for the UCP.

“I think that’s why we didn’t see much come out from the UCP during their election campaign on agriculture,” said Shawn Wiskar, a policy analyst at the University of Calgary’s Simpson Centre. “They were asking people to look back at their budgets and see the investments they made there.”

In November 2022, then Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Nate Horner announced an increase of the Feeder Association Loan Guarantee Program from $100 million to $150 million. The program finances about 17 to 24 per cent of the calf crop annually, providing capital to Alberta farmers through low-interest financing backed by a government guarantee.

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Stephanie Babych is a journalist based in Calgary. She was a reporter for the Calgary Herald and Sun for four years, and is a graduate of Mount Royal University’s journalism program. During her time...