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
Jake Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance shares risk-reduction strategies to help cattle producers prepare for a successful year ahead.
RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney explains why the 2026 USMCA review could directly affect dairy access, produce competition, and export reliability for U.S. farmers and ranchers.
Higher yields are cushioning lower acreage, but reduced production could support firmer potato prices into 2026.
Canada’s new voluntary Grocery Sector Code of Conduct will take effect on Jan. 1, a goodwill effort to promote fairness and transparency between retailers and support farms that sell directly to stores.
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
In Minnesota, a legal and legislative battle has reached a tipping point. For over a decade, the state’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the private deer-farming industry have been locked in a dispute over the management of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

AFBF Economist Faith Parum provides analysis and perspective on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program—what commodity growers should know and potential remedies for producers facing crop losses where that aid falls short.
In a post to social media, Trump said Venezuela will buy American agriculture products and will use the money from oil sales to make it happen.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
Wed, 1/21/26 – 7:30 PM ET
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share insights on building healthy habits and improving rural health in the year ahead.