Canadian Budget Includes Major Cuts to Agriculture, New Incentives for Investment

Host of RealAg Radio Shaun Haney discusses how the proposed reductions to agriculture programs in Canada’s new budget could affect research and support programs that farmers need.

ALBERTA, CANADA (RFD-TV) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney released his government’s first budget on Tuesday, outlining significant spending shifts — including more than $100 million in cuts at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Host of RealAg Radio Shaun Haney joined us on Wednesday’s Market Day Report to discuss how the reductions could affect research and support programs that farmers rely on.

In his interview with RFD-TV News, Haney says it remains to be seen whether the measure will meaningfully improve competitiveness on Canadian farms. At the same time, the budget introduces a new “productivity super-deduction” to encourage business investment.

The government also emphasized trade diversification and the development of new export corridors, part of a broader effort to reduce dependence on existing markets. Haney says that while those initiatives could benefit agriculture in the long term, questions remain about how quickly producers will see results.

Related Stories
Lyndsey Smith with Real Ag Radio joined RFD-TV to share a Canadian perspective on the discussions.
With China halting U.S. soybean purchases and talks tied to broader strategic issues, growers face renewed export uncertainty.
Bradley Roy was the youngest angler to compete in a Bassmaster Elite Series event. Now, he’s prepping to hit the water with MLF Hall of Famer Greg “The Rooster” Vinson in the Team Series Patriot Cup.
Large carryover stocks continue to put pressure on commodity prices, creating uncertainty for growers looking to market their grain.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
Higher rail tariffs and tighter Canadian supplies will keep oat transportation costs firm into 2026.
These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
Tyson’s closure reflects deep supply shortages in the U.S. cattle industry, tightening packing capacity, weakening competition, and signaling more volatility ahead for cow-calf producers and feedyards.
Gary Hall, co-founder of Hollywood Impact Studios Rehabilitation, joined the program to discuss using agriculture to provide opportunities and mentorship for at-risk youth in Southern California.
The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.