2026 Cattle
premium rates
| Cattle
category
|
Unit |
Coverage level |
| 80% |
90% |
95% |
100% |
| Cow-calf |
$/head |
10.70 |
16.82 |
20.30 |
23.97 |
| Backgrounder |
$/lb. of gain |
0.0002 |
0.0031 |
0.0071 |
0.0140 |
| Feedlot |
$/lb. of gain |
0.0030 |
0.0157 |
0.0245 |
0.0376 |
Note: The RMP Fund combines the cost-share premiums paid by farmers with annual funding from the Ontario government. Any money that has not been paid out in claims at year end carries over to the next year. Starting in 2026, rates will gradually increase to return to the program’s intended cost-share model and to align with increased government funding.
The minimum annual premium per cattle category is $25.
Cow-calf premium =
premium rate x number of calves
Backgrounder and feedlot premium =
premium rate x total eligible weight gain
Payment rates
Payment rates are based on the difference between the support level and the average market price for the payment calculation period.
Support level
The support level is based on the target price multiplied by your chosen coverage level. The cost of production is calculated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, based on the sum of livestock purchase costs, feed costs and yardage.
For the cow-calf category, the support level remains constant for the program year. For the backgrounder and feedlot categories, support levels are calculated every week and will vary from week to week.
Market prices
Market prices for each livestock category are collected and calculated by the ministry.
For the cow-calf category, market prices are calculated twice per year. For the backgrounder and feedlot categories, market prices are calculated every week and will vary from week to week.
