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Possible Trump tariffs remain big question mark for southwestern Ontario farmers

Canadian economics have been in the headlines a lot lately as it relates to the United States, possible tariffs and president-elect Donald Trump.

Much of the talk has been about manufacturing — auto specifically — especially here in southwestern Ontario.

But did you know that roughly 50 per cent of what we expert as a country is the food eat related to agriculture and farming in Canada?

resden, Ont., farmer and agricultural economist Philip Shaw says the possible tariffs remain the biggest question mark for southwestern Ontario farmers in 2025.

He talked with CBC Radio's Windsor Morning producer Peter Duck about his expectations for the new year — and a quick reflection on how things were in 2024. Here's a portion of that conversation.

How was the year as a whole for agriculture … looking back at 2024, especially here in southwestern Ontario?

Generally, we think about how good the crop was this past year and we did have a pretty good crop. 

I know some of the crops in Essex this past year were better than they were in 2023. Generally speaking, what you found with grain prices in 2024 going into 2025 was that we got down to the lowest levels we've seen since just before the pandemic and the last Trump presidency. 

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OFA Board Tour 2026 Perth County

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From ag retail and grain to egg production, equipment manufacturing, dairy and more, the tour highlighted the incredible diversity of Perth County's agri-food sector and the people behind it. Getting out into communities across the province gives OFA directors valuable firsthand insight into the opportunities and challenges facing farmers and agri-businesses. These perspectives help inform the work of OFA around the board table. A big thank you to the Perth County Federation of Agriculture for hosting us, and to all of our hosts for sharing their operations, experiences and expertise with the OFA board ??