The AgriPost
November 28, 2025
Farmers Slogged Away in the Mud Despite Market Uncertainty By Harry Siemens A recent survey social media platform X, of farmers across Manitoba reveals the core issues weighing on producers as they approach the winter months. Moist soils, rising input costs, and market instability consistently emerged as top concerns. Manitoba farmer Ryan Hofford led the list of concerns with planning ahead. “Inputs and markets are front of mind,” Hofford said. “Storage and logistics are a struggle, but we can adapt most times.” He emphasized that balancing rotations, delivery logistics, and cost management is quickly becoming a year-round strategy. Another producer, Kurt Klimpke, confirmed the tight finances. “The ROI for all the crops we grow isn’t what it should be,” he said. “Prices for all inputs are way too high, and the cost of parts went up during COVID because of shortages — but since that time, prices haven’t come back down to where they should be.” He pointed out that although crop yields may be steady, elevated mechanics and input costs are squeezing margins
from both sides. Günter Jochum, Manitoba Wheat Growers President and farmer highlighted the
moisture is fully recharged for next year,” he said. “Fertilizer prices are definitely a challenge.” His view mirrors
Harvesting corn this fall. Whenever possible, farmers were back on the fields taking off what they could. Submitted photos
weather dilemma: “Too much moisture this fall didn’t let us finish fall work, but at least our subsoil
many survey responses: the excess rain may help soil structure, but catching up on fieldwork and ab-
sorbing high input costs is a real burden. Jason Hildebrand, who farms in the Interlake region, expressed concern about future profitability. “Input costs and futures prices don’t show very good returns if things don’t change in ’26,” Hildebrand said. He noted that while markets remain soft and costs high, many producers are holding off major decisions until next spring. Agronomist Jason Voogt of Field2Field Agronomy weighed in with a technical challenge tied to soil conditions. “Our biggest challenge right now is getting all the soil sampling done with how wet it is,” Voogt said. “It’s been a battle — we had to wait for the ground to freeze just to go.” He added that for many of his clients the path forward involves tackling input decisions and field work under difficult conditions: “The biggest challenge for them is planning around higher fertilizer costs and low commodity prices. For a lot of farmers, that means spring fertilizing ahead of seeding will be the only option.” Continued on page 3...
Provinces Agree to Drop Domestic Trade Barriers By Elmer Heinrichs An agreement between all Canadian provinces, territories, and the federal government just signed will drop interprovincial trade barriers on many goods except food and alcohol starting in December. It comes as part of an effort to support businesses with more trade opportunities in light of U.S. Tariffs. B.C. Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth Ravi Kahlon said the agreement, signed in Yellowknife, is the outcome of a nationwide push led by B.C. to reduce domestic trade barriers. “This agreement makes it easier for goods that meet the rules in one province or territory to be sold across Canada without extra approvals, labels, or testing,” he said at an announcement in Victoria. “We are creating one agreement, one market, and unlimited opportunity across the country.” When it goes into effect, the agreement will cover thousands of products, including clothing, toys, vehicles, health technology, and industrial products. The agreement will take effect next month and applies to thousands of products, although it excludes food, beverages, tobacco, plants, and animals.
1