Impacts of Tariffs on Canadian Cow-Calf Production with Tyler Fulton CCA President

Tyler Fulton and his wife, Dorelle, along with their kids Evan and Mae own and operate Tyton Farm Ltd, a 600 head cow/calf/backgrounding operation south of Birtle, MB. 

The farm operates about 6000 acres in prairie pothole country, which consists of mostly tame pasture, hay, and some annual crops. Tyler has spent most of his off-farm career in the field of livestock price risk management after he received a degree in Agribusiness from the University of Manitoba.  He is passionate about improving the tools and programs available for cattle producers to manage risk on their operations.

Tyler currently serves as a Director with Manitoba Beef Producers and has newly taken on the role as the President of the Canadian Cattle Association.

In today’s episode, Tyler gives us a broad overview of the current tariff situation and where this stands at our April 11, 2025 recording date.  We discuss the current state of the Canadian government and how this puts Canada at a higher risk during the uncertainty of the tariff situation.

We are hoping today to steer away from speculation of what might happen with future tariffs, or what we think might be going to happen. Instead, Tyler, shares some information about the work the Canadian Cattle Association is doing to advocate for the Canadian Beef Industry given this situation. We discuss the timeline of how quickly implementation of tariffs would impact primary producers in the beef sector.

While there are a lot of unknowns and uncertainties, there are some things producers can do to mitigate risk, like using the Agristability Program, using Advance Program Payments and Livestock Price Insurance.  Tyler shares information about all three of these risk mitigation strategies.

Tyler gives some reflections on the trip he took to Washington to meet with members of the House of Representatives and Senators and their staff, as well as USDA representatives and the takeaways from these conversations, which were positive and hopeful.

We recognize that the uncertainties of the tariff situation is another thing on the minds and shoulders of our Canadian Farmers.  The Beef & Forage Roundup Podcast will be releasing a mini series through the month of May on the topic of Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture, which coincides with the 2025 Mental Health Awareness Week in Canada which is May 5-11th.  Through the month of May, we will be sharing stories of producers’ mental health journeys, as well as sharing information about resources that are available at no cost to farmers, farm families and farm employees here in Canada.  We all know someone who is struggling with their mental health and we are hoping to help reduce the stigma of asking for help.  

To contact Tyler, reach out on social media at: @etfulton on X or by searching for Tyler Fulton on Facebook and Instagram.  You can also reach him on his cell phone at: 204-842-3353.

Links mentioned in this episode:

For the most up to take information on tariffs, visit the Canadian Cattle Association’s Action News: https://www.cattle.ca/news-and-events/action-news

The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).

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