As the trade war between the United States and Canada continues, it’s time to talk about what is going on, why it’s happening, and what we can do to prepare ourselves for any possible outcome. Joined by guests Al Mussell, Founder and Research Lead for Agri-Food Economic Systems, and Kelvin Heppner, Field Editor at Real Agriculture, we dig in on the history of trade relations between the US and Canada, the evolution of this contentious trade war, and ultimately who pays the price. What does the future hold for Canadians if an agreement isn’t reached? How can farmers and folks in agriculture help ease the economic impacts? What does the future look like for Canadian dairy? Join us as we dig in on Trade Wars and Agriculture.

Meet Our Guests

● Al Mussell: Founder and Research Lead of Agri-Food Economic Systems

Al is the Founder and Research Lead of Agri-Food and Economic Systems, a Senior Research Fellow at the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute and a C.D. Howe Institute Fellow-in-Residence and Trade and Supply Chains Policy Scholar focused on agriculture and agri-food. Al has appeared on BNN Bloomberg Commodities discussing agricultural pricing and Canadian agricultural supply chains, on CTV’s Your Morning discussing dairy tariffs and on The Global Exchange podcast discussing Canadian agri-food productivity and trade.

● Kelvin Heppner: Field Editor at Real Agriculture and Manitoba Family Farmer

Robert Kelvin Heppner is a Journalist and Field Editor at Real Agriculture with an emphasis on agricultural policy, agri-food current events and essential agricultural news. Kelvin is also a Co-Owner of Buffalo Creek Chicken, a family-run broiler breeder and hatching egg farm in Manitoba with a flock size well over 10,000.

About UFA

Founded in 1909, UFA Co-operative Limited is an Alberta-based agricultural co-operative with more than 125,000 member-owners. UFA’s network comprises more than 121 bulk fuel and Cardlock Petroleum locations, 35 Farm & Ranch Supply stores and a support office in Calgary, AB. Independent Petroleum Agents and over 1,200 UFA employees provide products, services and agricultural solutions to farmers, ranchers, members and commercial customers in Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan. UFA has been named the 2026 Large Co-operative of the Year by Co-operatives and Mutuals Canada (CMC), a national recognition that celebrates co-operatives making a meaningful contribution to communities and co-operatives and mutuals across Canada. Learn more at UFA.com.

About Your Host

Don Shafer, PhD, is an award winning broadcaster, veteran media executive, and recipient of the Canadian Music Hall of Fame’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He holds a PhD in Social Justice, bringing a rare blend of industry expertise and academic insight to the evolving media landscape.

Credits

Host: Don Shafer, PhD
Guests: Al Mussell, Kelvin Heppner
Senior Writer: Eric La Febre
Showrunner: Jessica Grajczyk
Audio Producer: Scott Whittaker
Executive Producer: Jennifer Smith
Contributor: Trish Nixon