RealAgristudies Podcast is the show where farmer voices meet the power of data. Here hosts Shaun Haney and Justin Funk break down the latest research from producers, dig into the trends shaping agriculture, and turn insights into action.
Reading the feed…
The July 2026 Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index (CFSI) data reveals a notable surge in farmer optimism, marking a sharp contrast to the economic concerns that dominated earlier in the year. In the April 2026 survey, 57% of producers believed that we are in a period of strutural change and not just another down cycle. That... Read More
Canadian farmers are increasingly questioning whether today’s farm economy challenges are part of a normal cycle — or signs of something more permanent. In the April 2026 edition of the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index, conducted by RealAgristudies, 59 per cent of respondents said agriculture is facing a “structural breaking point,” meaning permanent changes may be... Read More
Canadian farmers are entering the 2026 production year with heightened caution, according to the January results of the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index. Shaun Haney and Justin Funk breakdown the latest results from the CFSI gathered from more than 570 producers, in this 16th iteration of the survey since launching in 2022. Three-quarters of respondents said... Read More
New RealAgristudies data reveals some fascinating insights into how farmers across the country view current trade dynamics — from EV tariffs to global partnerships. When asked in the October intake of the Canadian Farmers Sentiment Index on whether Canada should lift tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, 68 per cent of farmers said yes, with just... Read More
The October Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index (CFSI) results from RealAgristudies reveal a steady, though cautious, outlook among Canadian farmers as 2025 draws to a close. Based on responses from 547 producers across the country, the October survey highlights ongoing financial pressure but also pockets of resilience and optimism within the industry. When asked to assess... Read More
As Canadian farmers navigate a tightening margin environment, a new discussion comparing producer sentiment across the Canada–U.S. border offers critical insight into what’s shaping optimism, or the lack thereof, in both countries. In a special episode of the RealAgristudies Insights Panel podcast, Shaun Haney and Justin Funk are joined by Dr. Michael Langemeier, director at... Read More
The July intake of the Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index included a few questions about grain movement, railways, and Canada’s grain handling system, overall. In this episode of the RealAgristudies Insights podcast, Shaun Haney and Justin Funk break down survey results capturing satisfaction, confidence, and perceived accountability in grain logistics. Of the farmers who ship grain,... Read More
In this episode of the RealAgristudies Insights podcast, hosts Shaun Haney and Justin Funk dig into new Canadian farmer sentiment data—this time focusing on early reactions to the Carney government, views on Bill C-202, and the public appetite for better federal-provincial collaboration on ag policy. The data is drawn from RealAgristudies' ongoing insights panel, offering... Read More
Results of the July 2025 Canadian Farmer Sentiment Index are in and farmers reported a decline in the farm financial situation compared to a year ago, while anticipating a worsening financial environment over the next 12 months. The CFSI survey was completed mid-July 2025, and results show 57 per cent of Canadian farmers report their... Read More
While farmers continue to see value in salespeople, new research from RealAgristudies shows that how and when they want to interact is shifting and ag retailers will need to keep up. To unpack preliminary survey results on what farmers want, Shaun Haney and Justin Funk, co-founders of RealAgristudies, discuss findings from the survey conducted in... Read More
