The Unique Role of the Farmer / Food Producer continues

“For the farmer is the only man in our economy who has to buy everything he buys at retail, sell everything he sells at wholesale, and pay the freight both ways.”
That old saying may sound like a punchline, but it speaks to a hard truth. Farmers hold one of the most unique and vulnerable positions in our economy. They don’t set the price for what they buy or sell, yet they carry the burden of every cost in between. And still—they keep going.
Across the Prairies and beyond, farmers are pushing seed into the ground again this spring. The weather’s been unpredictable. Some regions are still fighting wet fields while others brace for drought. Input costs—from seed to fuel to fertilizer—remain sky-high. Meanwhile, prices for crops and livestock remain volatile, swayed by global trade tensions, inflation, and government policies far removed from the field.
And yet, despite all of this, the seeding continues.
This spring also brings a fresh political landscape with a new Liberal government. While some welcome the change, others are cautious, wondering whether this government understands or appreciates the agricultural sector’s pressures. Trade remains a top concern. Ongoing tensions with China and uncertain tariff policies from the United States have left Canadian farmers in limbo. Access to global markets is critical—especially when over half of our beef, pork, grain, and oilseeds depend on exports.
One misstep in trade negotiations can mean a year of lost revenue on the farm.
That’s the reality for farmers. They don’t get to wait out policy. They plant, raise, harvest—and hope that markets, weather, and politics don’t undo the work of their hands.
Let’s be clear: farming is not just another job. It’s the foundation of every society on earth. Without farmers, there is no food. No bread on the table. No meat in the freezer. No fuel in the tank. No fibre in our clothes. As my mentor Orian Samuelson always said, “If you eat, you’re involved in agriculture.”
Most Canadians benefit daily from the quiet, unrelenting work of farmers—yet few truly understand the pressures they carry. Farmers often absorb the losses unlike other sectors that can pass rising costs onto consumers. They don’t control their own margins. That’s why policy stability, trade predictability, and support in times of crisis matter so much.
Take the current situation: fertilizer costs have doubled or tripled for many. Seed technology and crop protection tools are more advanced than ever—but come at a steep cost. Meanwhile, weather events seem more extreme and less predictable year over year. Risk management tools like crop insurance and AgriStability help, but not enough to offset poor market access or rising tariffs.
Farmers need more than platitudes. They need real support, real policy, and real access to the markets that make their work sustainable.
Despite all this, farmers keep showing up. Before dawn, after dark, rain or shine. They invest thousands—sometimes millions—into a crop with no guarantees. They bet on faith, hard work, and experience. They steward the land not for a season, but for generations.
That deserves respect. That deserves protection.
It’s time we talk more about agriculture not just as an economic sector, but as a cornerstone of national security and sovereignty. A country that can feed itself is strong. A country that lets its farmers fail is vulnerable.
So whether you’re walking a field this morning or eating toast in the city, take a moment to think about the hands that made that moment possible. The farmer isn’t asking for praise. He’s asking for a fair shot.
Let’s give it to him. •