Fields on Wheels
Hybrid In-person Webinar – Wednesday October 8, 2025 9:00 am to 4:00 pm CST
Taxing Trade: Implications for Agriculture and Transportation
Over the last 80 years, the customs duties on trade were steadily reduced. The US that led this movement, especially on agriculture, reversed its tariff policy in 2025. Instead of free trade, the Trump Administration is taxing trade. Although Canada continues to operate under the CUSMA rules, which provide preferential to Canada and Mexico, an important review is coming next summer. In addition to the rise of protectionist policies, their use as a cudgel to retaliate or punish trading partners is as disturbing.
Countries all around the world are reacting to this new economic and political circumstance. Canada is an open economy and an agricultural exporter. Disruptions in world trading patterns are seldom good for Canadian farmers and processors, or for the truckers, railways, and shipping lines. The 30th Annual Fields on Wheels conference is set to explore the issues with a group of experts presenting their points of view and in conversation.
The day begins with Dr. Trevor Tombe, from the University of Calgary. He will address the role of tariffs in macroeconomics and international trade. This is followed by commodity briefings on canola and pork that face tariff and non-tariff barriers.
The morning concludes with presentations on the transport of food products to US and Mexico. The session begins with Dr. Michael Mikulak, who directs Food & Beverage Manitoba. They represent over 300 members from small startups to multinational food processors. They products get to market by truck and rail carriers that round out the panel.
At noon, a conversation will be held with Curt Vossen, who recently retired after serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Richardson International for 30 years, beginning in 1995. His knowledge of domestic and export agricultural supply chains inform his perspectives on the current and future trends.
The first half of the day features shared webinar/in person presentations. In the afternoon, the conference shifts to an in-person format of panel conversations. These conversations will under Chatham House Rules to encourage open and informal discussions of important topics.
Co-hosts
Webinar details
AGENDA
| A.M. CST 8:45 | Conference Chair: Barry E. Prentice, Director, Transport Institute Welcome from the University of Manitoba | |
| 9:00 | Tariffs and Trade Session Chair: Hedley Auld, Railway Executive (retired) Food Prices, Inflation, and Trade Disruptions: Canada in a World of Shocks Canola's Resiliency in Turbulent Trade Times Cam Dahl, General Manager, Manitoba Pork | |
| 10:30 | Transport of Food Products to US and Mexico Conference Chair: Steve Pratt, Consultant Food Patriotism: Why Local food must look beyond Nationalism and embrace the global Trucking in times of change, tariffs, and crisis TBA, CPKC | |
| 12:00 | Canadian Agricultural Trade in the new World Order A conversation with Curt Vossen, Grain Executive (retired) and Barry E. Prentice, Director, Transport Institute | |
| 12:30 | Webinar End, Lunch served | |
| P.M. CST 1:30 | Grain Panel Conversations Moderator: Derek Brewin, Head, Department of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics David Przednowek, CN Rail | |
| 3:30 | Concluding comments Barry E. Prentice, Director, Transport Institute |
