Manitoba Ag Days 2025: Prepare now for impact of U.S. tariffs

Terry Betker says farmers should run the numbers before it's a crisis

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Published: January 21, 2025

Farm management consultant and principal of Backswath Management Terry Betker.

Nobody knows exactly when, if and in what form promised tariffs will be applied on Canadian exports to the U.S.

It’s a huge looming uncertainty that could have a big impact on profitability and cash flow for farms across the country.

While a farmer may not be able to alter the course of history, they can try to manage its effect on their farm.

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Nitrogen prices have jumped 40 per cent since conflict disrupted Strait of Hormuz shipping routes, squeezing Manitoba producers heading into the 2026 growing season.

Terry Betker, a farm management consultant and principal of Backswath Management, spoke to the Co-operator at Manitoba Ag Days 2025. He says take advantage of the lull before the potential storm to get a handle on what the effects might be.

About the author

Gord Gilmour

Gord Gilmour

Publisher, Manitoba Co-operator, and Senior Editor, News and National Affairs, Glacier FarmMedia

Gord Gilmour has been writing about agriculture in Canada for more than 30 years. He's an award winning journalist and columnist who's currently the publisher of the Manitoba Co-operator and senior editor, news and national affairs for Glacier FarmMedia. He grew up on a grain and oilseed operation in east-central Saskatchewan that his brother still owns and operates, and occasionally lets Gord work on, if Gord promises to take it easy on the equipment.

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