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Risk Management Program: 2026 Rates and Deadlines
March 26, 2026
What is RMP?
Ontario's Risk Management Program (RMP) helps farmers manage risks beyond their control, like fluctuating costs and market prices. RMP for livestock was designed in consultation with representatives of the cattle, hog, sheep and veal industry in Ontario. RMP for livestock works like insurance to help Ontario farmers offset losses caused by fluctuating commodity prices and production costs. Participants pay premiums based on their insured production and their chosen coverage level.
Program payments are made if the market prices for sold livestock fall below your support level, which is based on the industry average cost of producing livestock (target price) and the level of coverage you choose. You can choose a coverage level of 80, 90, 95 or 100 per cent.
Payments reflect available funding. An interim payment rate is used to make sure every single producer has equal access to the funding, whether they trigger a payment at the beginning or end of the program year. The interim payment is based on market prices, support levels at the traditional provincial share of 40 per cent and available RMP funding. The RMP fund includes premium dollars and government funding.
RMP payments are issued for your sold cattle when the average market price falls below your support level during a payment calculation period. They are based on the difference between the support level and the average market price. In each category, the average market price, support level and payments are calculated separately. Payment schedules also differ by category.
An overview of the Risk Management Program for cattle can be found on the Agricorp website by clicking here.
2026 RMP Rates, Dates, and Updates
Updates
For 2026, farmers have until April 30 to submit an RMP for livestock application on agricorp.com. Existing customers have until April 30 to make coverage changes, such as changing their coverage levels.
Rates
Premium rates are based on your chosen livestock category and the level of coverage you choose. There are 4 coverage levels, as noted below. Your annual premium is calculated depending on the livestock category:
Cow-calf premium = premium rate x number of calves
Backgrounder and feedlot premium = premium rate x total eligible weight gain
Dates
Submit application or change coverage - April 30, 2026
Report first quarter sales* - April 30, 2026
Pay premium in full or pay first semi-annual premium instalment - July 31, 2026
Report second-quarter sales* - July 31, 2026
Report first semi-annual sales** - July 31, 2026
Report third-quarter sales* - October 31, 2026
Pay second semi-annual premium instalment - January 31, 2027
Report fourth-quarter sales* - January 31, 2027
Report second semi-annual sales** - January 31, 2027
* excludes cow-calf producers
** cow-calf producers only
BFO Risk Management Program Webinar
Earlier this spring, BFO hosted a webinar with Agricorp representatives speaking about the program requirements and a producer sharing their first-hand experience on how the program works for them. This recording is still a valuable resource for farmers to get another producer's perspective on the program.
The Participant Handbook provides detailed program information including; how the program works, eligibility, information for new participants, cattle categories, and payment information.