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November 19, 2025 - Fenced Out of Farming

Young farmers and ranchers struggling to get a foot in the field.

With the arrival of snow and chillier temperatures, farmers and ranchers are reaping the rewards of a bountiful season; harvest has been wrapped up, and calves are being shipped to the auction mart.

However, while record-high cattle prices are a satisfying return for years of hard work for established farming operations, they can be a daunting hurdle for young farmers trying to forge their path in agriculture.

For most, the dream of farming is not about the profits turned from high crop yields or successfully reared livestock. It is an appreciation for the way of life – a tradition often passed down through generations. Unfortunately, steep start-up and operating costs, changing farm dynamics, and soaring land, equipment, and livestock prices mean this way of life is becoming harder and harder for younger people to pursue. Many young farmers and ranchers feel fenced out of agriculture before they even begin.

Year after year we see a shrinking pool of young producers; a 2021 Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture states that the average age of a Canadian farm operator is 56 years, with only 8.6 per cent of farm operators being under the age of 35. These statistics can likely be attributed to the steep investment required to break into the industry.

Over the last several years, new and used vehicles and farm equipment prices have skyrocketed. According to Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation data on average farm input prices in Alberta, a new 4WD tractor with 325-375 horsepower, a 6-8 cylinder diesel engine, and a 12-18 speed transmission has increased by over $150,000 between May of 2024 and 2025.

While farm equipment sales are expected to decline, which may have an impact on prices, the steep price increases over recent years still prevent many young agriculturalists from acquiring necessary equipment for starting their operations. High cattle prices taunt the possibility of success if young producers can cover the steep buy-in and operating expenses, however the market also offers a certain risk and unpredictability. 

As expressed in the 2025 mid-year Farm Credit Canada (FCC) report, the average value of Canadian cultivated farmland increased by 10.4 per cent, with Alberta’s farmland values reflecting a “10.3 per cent year-over-year increase consistent across the province.” This increase is also being reflected in rented land, with an Alberta Farmer article quoting that “farmland rental rates now represent almost 90 per cent of average net operating income per acre.”

These increased start-up and operating expenses prove challenging for existing farming operations, much less for those who are trying to branch off into their own operation. Several articles have suggested that the cost to farm has doubled in the past fifteen years in Western Canada. Many young producers find themselves unlikely to manage farming without help from their parents or grandparents. Add to that, a lack of formal succession planning on multi-generation farms creates additional barriers for young producers who may have the opportunity to take over an existing operation.

Despite facing obstacles that weren’t nearly as steep a generation or two ago, young agriculturalists are forging ahead with resilience and innovation – embracing new technologies, redefining sustainability, and helping strengthen rural communities with a determination that’s reshaping the future of farming.

It is of utmost importance for established producers to mentor and share with the upcoming generation their knowledge and love of agriculture, as the long-term sustainability of agriculture will soon rest on their shoulders.