Future of agriculture in Alberta faces many challenges

May 12, 2022

The future of agriculture is as cloudy as producers wish the skies were.
Statistics Canada released its five-year agriculture census on Wednesday, and while it shows some positive growth indicators for the sector in Alberta, there are also some major challenges.

Agriculture has a long-term future problem amid a growing global demand for food.

The average age of a producer in Alberta has gone up 1.4 per cent to 56.5 years old. There are almost twice as many producers over the age of 55 (35,515) than under (21,680) — in fact, there are only 5,115 producers across all sectors under 35, a gap that has increased in the past five years.

“Farming is not an easy job, you have to be wearing a lot of hats,” said Tara Sawyer, chair of the Alberta Barley Commission. “To me, it takes a special sort of person and mindset that makes a really good farmer that cares about farm stewardship and understands the business side. It’s a high risk for entry, the high land value, the high cost of equipment, the high cost of inputs.”

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Video: Winter Service Inspections for John Deere Equipment - The FarmCast Ep64

The FarmCast, host Troy Randall speaks with Doug Luedke, Vice President of Service, and Davin Peterson, Executive Vice President of Aftermarket at 21st Century Equipment, to discuss the importance of proactive service and how it helps farmers reduce downtime during their busiest seasons. The conversation focuses on the Winter Service Inspection Program, a comprehensive approach designed to keep equipment running at peak performance and limit costly in-season breakdowns through preventative maintenance and expert technician support.

Doug and Devin explain how 21st Century Equipment’s service teams have evolved to meet the needs of today’s connected machines. With more technology and data integrated into modern equipment, technicians now play a vital role in both mechanical repairs and precision ag support. Through advanced diagnostics, machine monitoring, and John Deere’s Expert Alerts, they can identify and address potential issues before they become major problems—saving customers valuable time, money, and frustration.

Throughout the discussion, the team shares real-world success stories demonstrating how proactive inspections and customer-focused service help maximize uptime and efficiency for every operation. Whether it’s a large tractor, combine, or small mower, the goal remains the same: to provide trusted, reliable support that helps farmers and landowners stay productive and confident in their equipment year-round.