Future of agriculture in Alberta faces many challenges

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.”

Video: New Holland’s Compact TH6.26 Telehandler Walkaround

The new Model Year 2026 TH6.26 compact telehandler delivers powerful material handling in a size built for tight farm environments. In this video, Product Marketing Manager Lena Patton explains how this compact machine fits operations that need serious lifting capability without sacrificing maneuverability.

Designed especially for poultry houses, livestock farms, and dairy operations, the TH6.26 measures under 80 inches tall and just 72 inches wide, making it ideal for confined spaces while still offering strong reach and lift performance.

From manure handling in poultry houses to hay and feed movement on dairy and livestock farms, the TH6.26 delivers versatility in a compact footprint.