PAIN ON THE PLAINS

The biggest decliner within the FP500 ranking is Lacombe, Alta.-based Agriculture Financial Services Corp., which dropped 154 spots to No. 467. The Alberta government-funded agency that lends to farmers and small businesses and manages the province’s crop insurance had a tough year. Payouts to farmers adversely affected by weather conditions in 2015 hit $506.2 million as of April 1, 2016, with 5% of the post-harvest inspections still to be completed. The agency’s executives, as well those LACOMBE, ALTA.-BASED AGRICULTURE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORP. at other Alberta agencies, were also criticized for their high salaries, leading to new legislation that puts the names of anyone at those agencies who makes $125,000 or more on the published annual sunshine list. The four other biggest drops were by Pengrowth Energy Corp., Lightstream Resources Ltd., Trican Well Service Ltd. and Harvest Operations Corp., all based in Calgary. The biggest fall out of the FP500 was by Western Energy Services Corp., also of Calgary, which fell 163 spots to land at No. 623.