Ryan Simpson

As tensions rise in ongoing trade disputes, China's latest move is adding to concerns for Canadian producers. The country recently announced a 100 per cent tariff on canola oil and meal exported from Canada, compounding the uncertainty already present due to U.S. tariffs.  

Farmers caught in the middle  

The new tariff has many farmers wondering how to best proceed and that includes Curtis Sims, owner of Emeline Farms near MacGregor, Manitoba. Sims grows canola and is worried about the impact of these trade measures.  

As the snow continues to melt across the prairies, farmers are gearing up for the busy seeding season. According to Ian Epp, agronomy specialist with the Canola Council of Canada, moisture levels across much of the region appear sufficient for crop germination. 

"It looks to me like we've had enough moisture throughout winter. Obviously, we always need more during the summer season, but there's enough out there to get us up and going. Some areas are better than others but in general things look pretty good heading into spring.” 

Taking care of your mental health is critical and farmers across the prairies are as vulnerable as any other industry, maybe even more so when you consider how stressful the industry can be. 

Farmers in Manitoba now have greater access to vital mental health resources thanks to the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP), which offers no-cost counseling to farmers, their families, and employees over the age of 16.  

Jill Verwey of Portage la Prairie has ascended to a prominent national role in Canadian agriculture, being named as the first vice-president of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) during its recent annual general meeting in Ottawa. Verwey, a seasoned farmer specializing in cash crops, beef, and dairy, also serves as the president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP), Manitoba's leading farm policy organization.

As prairie farmers prepare for the upcoming growing season, entomologist John Gavloski with Manitoba Agriculture is urging them to keep a close eye on flea beetles, an insect that continues to pose challenges for canola growers.

“Flea beetles have been a chronic test for a long time, and I would say just bank on the fact that they're going to be there in high levels,” 

He eXplained that ideal growing conditions could minimize the need for foliar spraying, but if cooler weather lingers and delays plant development, flea beetles could become a much bigger problem.

National Farmers Union (NFU) president Jenn Pfenning says Canadian farmers need greater support for domestic food production as uncertainty over tariffs continues to disrupt trade. 

"We in Canada have focused a lot of our efforts in agriculture around export markets. Successive governments have pushed Canadian farmers to scale up to meet export demand, largely outside our borders." 

That focus, she says, has increased reliance on imported food, leaving the country vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. 

The Manitoba Association of Watersheds (MAW) has announced the continuation of the Prairie Watersheds Climate Program (PWCP) following its initial success. With renewed funding under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions Program – On-Farm Climate Action Fund, the program will receive up to $40 million over the next three years. The expansion will focus in Manitoba will continue to support local producers in sustainable land management practices. Programs will continue is Saskatchewan as well but will be handled separately.

The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing recently launched a new initiative to support the mental health of Canadian farmers, their families, and agricultural workers. The National Farmer Wellness Network Crisis Line is a free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support tailored specifically to the agricultural community. 

The idea behind the crisis line is to ensure that farmers across the country have access to farm-specific crisis services delivered by licensed professionals trained in the Canadian Agricultural Literacy Program (CALP). 

It’s annual general meeting time for the Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) and president Jill Verwey from the Portage area says there is plenty to cover. The AGM is happening today, February 4th, at the Delta Hotel in Winnipeg.

Verwey noted that, overall, Manitoba producers experienced a productive year in 2024. However, she highlighted concerns regarding crop pricing and the logistics of shipping grain.  

"It's been a tight fall and going into spring there several challenges faced by farmers.” 

Insects are always a challenge for farmers on the prairies. The unpredictable weather in Manitoba played a significant role in shaping that province’s insect activity in 2024. According to John Gavloski, an entomologist with Manitoba Agriculture, the cold, wet spring had both positive and negative effects on various pest populations. Gavloski shared insights into the challenges farmers faced and what they can expect heading into 2025.