Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Farm Programs: What would you do to design something that works?

Tough Times for Farm Policy Designers.

When I graduated from university with a degree in agricultural economics, I was ready to take on the farm policy world. As a farm kid, I surmised that the government policy wonks at the top just needed a taste of my grassroots perspective and did I mention that I had a freshly printed degree in agricultural economics?

Yes, I was naïve, but I was also willing to pay my dues so I took a job as a policy researcher with a general farm lobby organization. It took two years, but it began to dawn on me that the life of a farm policy designer was not as glamorous as I originally thought. In fact, taking a farm policy gig means accepting the fact that you will please precisely no one. Regardless of how brilliantly you craft a new support program, your boss, the government, will say the program:

• gives too much money to farmers
• is not targeted properly
• has too many loopholes
• has high administration costs
• is not trade neutral
• is outdated even as it is released

On the other hand, farmers and their representative organizations will not be shy in letting you know that the program:

• does not provide enough money for farmers
• is not targeted properly
• is too inflexible
• requires too much paperwork
• is outdated even as it is released

The job is only getting tougher, because traditionally, farm support programs have dealt with commodity price dips and revenue erosion. We currently have volatile swings on the revenue side, but also crazy and fluctuating numbers on the expense side, whether it be feed, fertilizer, fuel, or other.

Twenty years after leaving university, I now know that farm policy design is not for the faint of heart, especially in the current environment. I’m happy to leave the job to others. The reality is, though, that traditional price or revenue support models are not going to be effective if the current environment persists. If you were given the task of designing farm support programs for tomorrow, where would you start? How would your program differ from what we see today?

Click here to join the discussion.

Peter Gredig
Farms.com


This commentary is for informational purposes only. The opinions and comments expressed herein represent the opinions of the author--they do not necessarily reflect the opinion of Farms.com. This commentary is not intended to provide individual advice to anyone. Farms.com will not be liable for any errors or omissions in the information, or for any damages or losses in any way related to this commentary.

Views: 52

▶ Reply to This

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Minister MacDonald’s record in the House

He spoke 54 times in the House and cast 173 votes

U.S. Winter Wheat Harvest Jumps; Spring Wheat Condition Eases

The U.S. winter wheat harvest advanced rapidly over the past week, while the condition of both the winter and spring wheat crops slipped slightly, according to Monday’s USDA crop progress report. The winter wheat harvest reached 40% complete as of Sunday, up sharply from 25% the previous week. Progress was well ahead of 18% a year earlier and the five-year average of 24%. In Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing state, the harvest more than doubled to 58% complete from 28% a week earlier. That was also well ahead of 18% last year and the 26% average. Oklahoma was 95% harvested, compared with 73% the previous week and 61% on average. Texas advanced more modestly to 77% from 75%, while Illinois jumped to 41% from 20%. No winter wheat harvest progress was reported in either Michigan or Ohio as of Monday. Michigan was 1% harvested at the same point last year, compared with 0% on average, while Ohio was 2% complete last year versus a five-year average of 3%. National winter

Manitoba Seeding Advances Just Slightly

Manitoba seeding inched forward this past week, moving slightly closer to completion. Tuesday’s weekly crop report showed overall seeding in the province at 97% complete, up only a single point from a week earlier and behind last year and the five-year average at 100%. Precipitation was highly variable across agricultural Manitoba during the seven days ended June 21, with some areas receiving substantial rainfall while nearby locations remained almost completely dry, the report said. Somerset recorded the province’s highest weekly accumulation at 34.3 mm, while the driest locations in the Central Region, Brunkild and Bagot, received only 1 mm. In the Eastern Region, Sprague reported 26.6 mm, compared with no measurable rain at Stead. Rainfall was generally lighter in the Interlake, where Gimli received 11.8 mm and Fisher Branch just 0.3 mm. The Northwest remained the wettest part of the province overall, with Swan River recording 22.1 mm and Ste. Rose receiving 0.6 mm. In the

Agribition reports excellent 2025 show, but questions linger about capacity for 2026 event

Based on a number of statistics, the most recent Canadian Western Agribition was the best on in recent memory. During Agribition's Annual General Meeting, CEO Shaun Kindopp shared a number of highlights from the 2025 edition of the show. Among them was the international representation, as over 700 guests from 76 countries visited Agribition, including 56 Mexican cattle producers. The international delegations contributed to $280-thousand 600 in purchases of Canadian genetics. Kindopp says travelling abroad has been a focus in recent years to build those relationships. Overall attendance was 151,037 and Kindopp notes increases in attendance for other events happening at the show, including Maple Leaf Circuit Finals Rodeo which saw a total of 24,000 come through the doors. "Our Indigenous Agriculture Summit attendance was up, our rodeo attendance was up, our attendance through the gate was up, so everything measurable that had an attendance tied to it was up this year." he said, add

Interim Participation Agreement signed between CCA, ABP

Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) are staying on as a member of the Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) for now. It was announced Wednesday an Interim Participation Agreement was reached. Under the agreement, ABP will provide gap funding for the national organization from July 1st to August 31st as well as stay involved in meetings and discussions, but as a non-member under the current governance structure. President of CCA Tyler Fulton says the agreement shows talks with ABP are moving in the right direction, but there are things that still need to be addressed prior the CCA's Semi-Annual meeting in August. Fulton noted eight or nine resolutions were passed at their AGM in March to start this process. The resolutions address the structure of governance, acknowledge the need for a finance chair and committee to address the funding related issues, and better communication at all levels. He says details on the new governance structure are being worked on with assistance from provincial cat

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service