AALP Class 13 North American Study Tour Day 4

More Canadian Corn Acres in 2025; Fewer Soybeans

A Statistics Canada acreage report on Wednesday said Canadian producers intend to plant more corn and less soybeans in 2025. Nationwide corn plantings were estimated at 3.769 million acres, up 3.2% from a year earlier but still below the 3.824 million planted in 2023. On the other hand, soybean area was projected at 5.635 million acres, a 1.3% decline from 2024 but still above the 5.63 million acres planted in 2023. The report seems to confirm conventional opinion that corn will be the more profitable option, versus soybeans, for North American farmers this year. However, the report is based on a survey of 8,200 Canadian farmers between Dec. 13 and Jan. 27, long before US President Donald Trum launched trade action against China that has resulted in retaliatory measures, including 15% and 10% levies on US corn and soybeans, respectively. Trump has also threated 25% tariffs against most US imports of Canadian goods, including grains and grain products., which could take effect next

CCGA Implementing Interest-Free Change for 2025 Cash Advances

Late last week, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the interest-free limit for the 2025 Advance Payments Program (APP) is increasing to $250,000. Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) began accepting applications for the 2025 program in mid-February and is taking steps to deliver cash advances at this higher interest-free benefit. Previously, the interest-free limit was set at $100,000. “We’re focused on implementing the higher interest-free benefit quickly so that all farmers, including those who have already applied for a 2025 cash advance, can benefit equally,” says Dave Gallant, CCGA’s Vice-President, Finance & APP Operations. “CCGA will be notifying existing 2025 applicants about the program change and any actions required on their part. We hope to make the process seamless for all farmers.” For 2025, farmers can apply for up to $1 million in financing, with the interest-free component at $250,000 and the remaining at CCGA’s i

CCA Pleased to See Sustained Increase to Interest-Free Portion of Loans under Advance Payments Program

On Friday, March 7, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agrifood,announced that for the fourth straight growing season the federal government would increase the interest-free portion of loans under the Advance Payments Program (APP) to $250,000 rather than the default of $100,000. CCA has been advocating for the limit to be kept at $350,000, but increasing it to $250,000 is positive for producers across Canada and will help keep the beef cattle sector economically competitive in an unsteady economic environment. Without the change, the interest-free portion of loans under APP would have reverted back to $100,000, which would not account for inflation and escalating input costs. The intent of APP is to help farmers, especially young farmers, meet cash flow needs and market their production flexibly. APP is also an important tool in helping producers meet escalating input costs, particularly that of raising capital to invest into the next crop. With ongoing

Research on the Farm – Barley Seeding Rate Trial Summary

Manitoba Crop Alliance’s (MCA) Research on the Farm (ROTF) program conducts scientific research with farmer members using replicated strip trials on commercial fields. Farmer co-operators use their own equipment and management practices to conduct this research. Research projects are developed to investigate current and pressing agronomic questions and provide site-specific answers. More information about the ROTF program and all trial results can be found here. Barley genetics for both malting and feed varieties have improved over the last decade. Evaluating current seeding rates for new barley varieties was necessary to understand if target plant stand densities are optimized for both grain yield and quality. The purpose of this trial was to investigate the economic and agronomic impact of farmers increasing and decreasing their target plant stands. This was done by having decreased and increased seeding rate treatments compared to the farmers’ normal. Over the past three years (20

U.S. tariffs hurt Manitoba farmers, economy

Today, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) responded to the U.S. government implementing 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imported into the U.S. “Today’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S. will do nothing but harm farmers and consumers on both sides of the border,” said KAP President, Jill Verwey. “We oppose these trade actions that impede the free flow of goods between our two nations in the strongest of terms.” In 2024, Manitoba’s agri-food exports were $9.28 billion, with 46% of that going to the U.S. as our top agri-food trading partner. Some of the most exported farm products from Manitoba into the U.S. include canola, pork, potatoes, and oats. “Manitoba farmers produce world-class agricultural products and our trading partners in the U.S. know this, despite the actions their federal government are taking that will disrupt their ability to access Manitoba products at an affordable price,” said KAP General Manager, Colin Hornby. “These tariffs will not only