Keystone Agriculture Producers delegates met in Portage la Prairie Thursday for the farm lobby group's Spring Advisory Council Meeting.

One of the big topics up for discussion was the next agricultural policy framework, which comes into effect in next year, with many questions focusing on business risk management programs. To help inform the public on the process, a representative from the province was on hand to help explain the negotiations and where things are standing at the current time.

KAP President Dan Mazier

"These consultations have been going [on] right across Canada," said KAP President Dan Mazier. "I think we've really done a good job at talking about what's not working. I'm a little bit fearful that we're not going to get everything working 100 per cent for the next five years and I'm really pushing to try to keep that window open as long as possible so we can adapt to a changing climate and changing conditions."

There were also a number of resolutions debated, including multiple items surrounding carbon tax.

Mazier also brought up the point of rising farmland taxes, encouraging delegates to attend upcoming municipal budget meetings in their respective regions to express their concerns.

"This time around go learn about the processes, go see what your councils are doing," he said. "There is going to be another assessment increase, a review, coming up next year and maybe if we learn the process this spring and get working with our RM's a little bit better, I think maybe there'll be some opportunity to fix some of these problems in the long run."

KAP is suggesting that municipalities apply to the province to have the portioned value percentage on this class of property changed or have the municipalities introduce tax credits for farmland. Another option would be for a bunch of municipalities to band together and ask the province to lower the apportionment on agriculture land.