It's no secret that there are challenges in terms of farm profitability in 2026, which is driving critical policy questions to assist producers through the difficult times. Governments have different tools they have engaged, including insurance, business risk management, and the advanced payments program. In the United States, there are similar tools, but on top... Read More
Category: RealAgristudies
Canadian farmers are entering the 2026 production year with heightened caution, according to the January results of the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index. Shaun Haney and Justin Funk breakdown the latest results from the CFSI gathered from more than 570 producers, in this 16th iteration of the survey since launching in 2022. Three-quarters of respondents said... Read More
New RealAgristudies data reveals some fascinating insights into how farmers across the country view current trade dynamics — from EV tariffs to global partnerships. When asked in the October intake of the Canadian Farmers Sentiment Index on whether Canada should lift tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, 68 per cent of farmers said yes, with just... Read More
The October Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index (CFSI) results from RealAgristudies reveal a steady, though cautious, outlook among Canadian farmers as 2025 draws to a close. Based on responses from 547 producers across the country, the October survey highlights ongoing financial pressure but also pockets of resilience and optimism within the industry. When asked to assess... Read More
As Canadian farmers navigate a tightening margin environment, a new discussion comparing producer sentiment across the Canada–U.S. border offers critical insight into what’s shaping optimism, or the lack thereof, in both countries. In a special episode of the RealAgristudies Insights Panel podcast, Shaun Haney and Justin Funk are joined by Dr. Michael Langemeier, director at... Read More
The July intake of the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index included a few questions about grain movement, railways, and Canada’s grain handling system, overall. In this episode of the RealAgristudies Insights podcast, Shaun Haney and Justin Funk break down survey results capturing satisfaction, confidence, and perceived accountability in grain logistics. Of the farmers who ship grain,... Read More
In this episode of the RealAgristudies Insights podcast, hosts Shaun Haney and Justin Funk dig into new Canadian farmer sentiment data—this time focusing on early reactions to the Carney government, views on Bill C-202, and the public appetite for better federal-provincial collaboration on ag policy. The data is drawn from RealAgristudies' ongoing insights panel, offering... Read More
Results of the July 2025 Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index are in and farmers reported a decline in the farm financial situation compared to a year ago, while anticipating a worsening financial environment over the next 12 months. The CFSI survey was completed mid-July 2025, and results show 57 per cent of Canadian farmers report their... Read More
While farmers continue to see value in salespeople, new research from RealAgristudies shows that how and when they want to interact is shifting and ag retailers will need to keep up. To unpack preliminary survey results on what farmers want, Shaun Haney and Justin Funk, co-founders of RealAgristudies, discuss findings from the survey conducted in... Read More
There's no shortage of headwinds facing Canada's farmers and ranchers. Weather risk in the west, uncertain trade environments. and high-risk economics are weighing on farmers' minds, according to the April intake of the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index (CFSI). The April intake ended just ahead of the federal election, and includes responses from 486 farmers offering... Read More