The AgriPost
September 26, 2025
Agriculture Ministers Stress Unity
Stats Canada Sees Bigger Canadian Grain and Oilseed Production By Elmer Heinrichs
Agriculture ministers from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg, wrapping up with a media conference on September 9 for their annual federalprovincial-territorial meeting, and the message conveyed to farmers was simple: “We are united, we hear you, and we will continue to support you in tough times.” Submitted photo
By Harry Siemens Agriculture ministers from across Canada gathered in Winnipeg on September 9, 2025, for their annual meeting of the federal-provincial-territorial ministers. The message they wanted farmers to hear was simple: we are united, we hear you, and we will continue to support you in tough times. Federal Agriculture Minister Heath MacDonald set the tone.
“When the door closes in this meeting room, partisan politics stays outside. We all care deeply about this industry, and I couldn’t be more proud to serve as Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. I also couldn’t be more proud to have these ministers standing behind me,” he said. Manitoba’s Ron Kostyshyn, Saskatchewan’s Daryl Harrison, and Alberta’s R.J. Siger-
son stood with him, projecting unity at a time of deep uncertainty. MacDonald admitted tariffs dominated the agenda, with canola at the centre of Canada’s trade storm. “On Friday, our Prime Minister announced that the interest-free limit on canola advances under the advance payment program will increase to half a million dollars for the
2025–26 program years,” said MacDonald. “We know this won’t resolve all the issues, but its important support that some farmers will use.” Ottawa also pledged $5 billion through the Strategic Innovation Fund and $1 billion in regional tariff support. “These programs aren’t the end solution, but they show farmers we have their backs,” Continued on Page 2...
Stats Canada sees bigger Canadian grain and oilseed production in 2025/26 was likely larger than earlier expectations. Warm temperatures and increased precipitation across the Prairies in August helped crop development, according to new estimates from Statistics Canada released September 17. The largest increase in the latest model-based estimates was in wheat, moving to 36.62 million tonnes from an estimated 35.55 million tonnes in August. That would be up 1.9 per cent on the year and the largest wheat crop since 2013. Of that total, durum production was raised to 6.54 million tonnes from 6.08 million in August and 6.38 million a year ago. Spring wheat came in at 26.61 million tonnes, up by 2.4 per cent from August but in line with the 26.52 million tonnes grown in 2024/25. Canola production was raised to 20.03 million tonnes from 19.94 million tonnes in August. That compares with 19.24 million tonnes grown in 2024/25 and the five-year average of 18.26 million tonnes. Barley production, at 8.23 million tonnes, is forecast to be up one per cent on the year, with oats up 0.4 per cent at 3.37 million tonnes. Conditions in Eastern Canada were drier than normal through the growing season, reported StatCan. Soybeans were one of the few crops forecast with smaller production in 2025/26. Soybeans were estimated at 7.13 million tonnes, which would be down by 5.7 per cent on the year but still above the five-year average of 6.74 million. Estimated Canadian corn production, at 15.50 million tonnes, would be up by one per cent on the year, and 800,000 tonnes above the fiveyear average.