Canada is a trade-reliant nation across several industries, agriculture included. Canada’s primary producers have mixed opinions on the real value of trade, however. In a recent RealAgristudies survey, only 52 per cent of Canadian farmers and ranchers perceive trade and market access as having a positive impact on their operations. This statistic, though seemingly modest,… Read More

For the exportable commodities such as canola, pork, beef, seafood, and wheat, trade is a fundamental staple of creating value for products being produced by Canadian agriculture. Canada is an export-reliant nation with vast agricultural production and production potential, but only forty million people in population. According to CAFTA, Canada is the fifth largest exporter… Read More

In the ever-evolving world of agriculture, understanding the sentiment among Canadian farmers towards their financial future is more crucial than ever. Recent data from RealAgristudies Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index sheds light on this very topic, revealing both optimism and concern in different sectors of the industry. Broadly speaking, the sentiment around future farm financial performance… Read More

In the January 2024 edition of the RealAgristudies Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index, the mood among Canada’s farmers and ranchers has notably darkened, with an increased level of concern about their financial health and the overall state of the Canadian agricultural economy. This summary, drawing from the valuable insights of those who participated in the survey,… Read More

Last month, RealAgristudies asked farmers and ranchers across Canada for their perspectives on their involvement, support, and challenges with producer groups. Over 700 farmers participated to share their thoughts on: Producer group membership and participation Asking for check-off refunds, when available Effectiveness of producer groups Praise for what groups do well and where they need… Read More

Governments across the world are crafting policy to influence industry practices with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Canadian government is doing the same through programs such as the On-Farm Climate Action Fund and others. But how effective have these programs been and how do farmers see them influencing what practices they engage… Read More

Off-farm income has been a contributor to farm households for decades, but in many ways the extent and role it plays in the farm business isn’t fully understood. In the October Canadian Farmer sentiment index conducted by RealAgristudies, we asked questions related to off-farm income in order to better understand the role it plays on… Read More

Soil testing is a critical component of nutrient management. A comprehensive soil testing protocol can be a significant investment of time and cash, however the pay off in managing the fertilizer bill, maximizing yield potential, and possibly decreasing environmental impacts makes it very worth it for many farms. Still, soil testing is not universal, and… Read More