News

Here’s what’s been happening in Canadian agriculture over the past 10 days:

• Agricultural Extension Criticism: Experts argue that Canada’s approach to agricultural extension—how research is shared with farmers—is too top-down and could benefit from more farmer-to-farmer learning.
• Science Communication in Agriculture: Agriculture Canada scientists are expected to communicate their findings with farmers and policymakers, but some struggle to connect research to real-world applications.
• Crop Diversification for Resilience: With trade tensions rising, experts are calling for greater crop diversification to reduce reliance on imports and exports, particularly in response to China’s tariffs on Canadian canola.
• Federal Agriculture Policy Concerns: Prime Minister Mark Carney’s mandate letter made no mention of agriculture or food security, raising concerns among industry leaders about the government’s priorities.
• Growth in Ag-Tech: Canadian agriculture technology companies are maturing, with innovations in biosecurity sensors, equipment tracking, and virtual veterinary care gaining traction.

Canadian News

• New Agricultural Research Facilities at USask – The University of Saskatchewan has received $11.8 million in funding for two new facilities: the Harrington Plant Growth Facility and the Soil Science Field Facility. These will support crop breeding, soil health research, and climate change mitigation efforts.
• Agriculture Canada Scientists & Communication – Agriculture Canada employs 380 scientists across 20 research centers, and they are expected to communicate their findings with farmers and policymakers. Some researchers struggle to connect their work to real-world applications, prompting discussions on improving knowledge transfer.
• Funding for Sustainable Agriculture Research – The Government of Canada has invested $87.5 million in 16 collaborative research projects focused on climate-smart agriculture. These projects aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve soil health, and enhance carbon sequestration.
• CANZA’s $4M Ag-Tech Project – The Canadian Alliance for Net-Zero Agri-food (CANZA) has launched a $4-million project to develop technology tools for measuring soil carbon. This initiative will help farmers track climate-smart farming practices and unlock economic opportunities for environmental outcomes.

USA News

• Federal Research Funding Cuts: The Trump administration has terminated over 1,400 research projects worth more than $1 billion, including those focused on agriculture, climate change, and artificial intelligence. The National Science Foundation (NSF) has been particularly affected, with 73 additional grants canceled on May 9.
• University Funding Losses: Florida State University lost $53 million in federal research funds due to cuts from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The University of Tennessee also saw $38.69 million in research grants canceled, impacting studies on vaccines, mental health, and agricultural productivity.
• USDA’s Science Strategy: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is pushing forward with its Science and Research Strategy, 2023-2026, which aims to accelerate innovation in agriculture. The initiative focuses on climate-smart farming, nutrition security, and social equity.
• Investment in Agricultural Research: A new study suggests that U.S. agriculture is facing its first productivity slowdown in decades due to climate change and reduced research investment. Experts estimate that a 5-8% annual increase in research funding is needed to maintain agricultural productivity through 2050.

ROW News:

• Global Centers Initiative – The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and international partners, including Canada, Finland, Japan, South Korea, and the U.K., have announced $82 million in funding for six Global Centers focused on bioeconomy research. These centers aim to improve crop resilience, biofuel production, and biotechnology applications.
• Canada’s Crop Rotation Research – The Canadian government has allocated $5.7 million to study diverse crop rotations that can withstand climate change while maintaining farm profitability. The research will focus on new oat and soybean varieties and strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Sustainable Agriculture Funding in Manitoba – Canada and Manitoba have committed $16.3 million to support 101 research projects under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. These projects will accelerate innovation in agriculture, focusing on climate resilience, efficiency, and sustainability.

There have been some significant developments in U.S. tariffs affecting Canada over the past 10 days:

• Court Ruling Blocks Tariffs: A U.S. federal trade court has blocked President Trump’s emergency tariffs, ruling that he exceeded his authority. This decision halts the 10% tariff on Canadian energy exports and 25% tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum.
• Canada’s Response: The Canadian government had imposed counter-tariffs on U.S. goods in retaliation, including automobiles and steel products. With the court ruling, Canada may adjust its trade strategy.
• Economic Impact: Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem called U.S. tariffs the “biggest headwind” for Canada’s economy, emphasizing the need for a new trade deal.
• Consumer Prices & Trade Diversification: Canadian businesses are exploring alternative markets to mitigate the impact of tariffs, while wedding costs and imported goods have seen price increases.

Canada

Canada's latest seeding projections indicate a slight increase in total field crop area, with wheat and coarse grains seeing growth, while oilseeds and pulses may decline.

Here are the key insights:

• Wheat Expansion: The area seeded to wheat, including durum, is projected to rise by 2.6%, driven by increases in spring wheat and winter wheat.
• Coarse Grains Growth: Corn, oats, and rye are expected to see a 1.4% increase, offsetting a slight decline in barley.
• Oilseeds & Pulses Decline: Canola and soybeans are forecasted to drop by 1.9%, while lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans may see a 2% decrease.
• Trade Uncertainty: The full impact of U.S. tariffs and China's 100% tariff on canola oil, rapeseed meal, and peas is still unfolding, potentially influencing planting decisions.

Seeding is already underway in Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba, with early planting efforts focused on wheat and canola. Official estimates on seeded areas will be released in late May and early June.

USA

The latest U.S. seeding projections indicate an increase in corn and wheat acreage, while soybean planting is expected to decline.

• Corn Expansion: U.S. farmers plan to plant 94 million acres of corn, up 3.4 million acres from last year. Favorable prices compared to competing crops like soybeans and cotton are driving this increase.
• Wheat Growth: Wheat acreage is projected to rise to 47 million acres, reflecting an increase in winter wheat plantings.
• Soybean Decline: Soybean planting is expected to drop to 84 million acres, down 3.1 million acres from last year. This decline is attributed to lower prices and large global supplies, particularly from South America.
• Regional Trends: States like Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and South Dakota are expected to see significant increases in corn acreage, while Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota are projected to reduce soybean planting.
• Market Impact: The shift in planting priorities reflects changing market conditions, weather patterns, and rising input costs.

Brazil

• Record Soybean & Corn Production: Brazil is expected to harvest a record 322.4 million tonnes of crops in 2025, an 8.2% increase from last season.
• Soybean Expansion: The soybean area is forecasted at 47.4 million hectares, continuing Brazil’s dominance in global soybean trade.
• Corn Growth: Brazil’s corn production is projected at 124.7 million metric tons, marking an 8.5% increase over the previous year.
• Weather Conditions: Favorable rainfall has improved crop development, particularly in Mato Grosso, where early-season rains have boosted yields.

Kazakhstan

• Wheat & Barley Focus: Kazakhstan remains a major wheat exporter, with spring wheat planting underway. Barley acreage is expected to increase slightly due to strong demand from China.
• Climate Challenges: Dry conditions in northern Kazakhstan may impact yields, but improved irrigation projects aim to mitigate losses.

Australia

• Mixed Outlook: Australia’s wheat and barley acreage is expected to decline slightly, while canola planting remains stable.
• El Niño Concerns: Farmers are preparing for potential drought conditions, which could affect winter crop yields.
• Export Markets: Australia is focusing on expanding trade with Southeast Asia, particularly for wheat and pulses.

Russia

• Wheat Expansion: Russia is increasing wheat acreage, aiming to boost exports to Africa and the Middle East.
• Government Support: Subsidies for fertilizers and irrigation are helping farmers counter climate risks.
• Geopolitical Impact: Sanctions and trade restrictions are shaping Russia’s agricultural strategy, with a focus on domestic food security.

Rest of the World

• India: Rice planting is ahead of schedule, with monsoon rains supporting early crop development.
• Europe: France and Germany are adjusting wheat planting strategies due to changing climate patterns.
• South America: Argentina is expanding soybean acreage, while Paraguay is focusing on corn exports.