‘It’s just unfortunate’: Tariffs dominate discussion at Ottawa Valley Farm Show

Farmers have to deal with a lot at the best of times, but for the past few weeks, the ever-evolving trade dispute has everyone on edge. CTV’s Austin Lee reports

The Ottawa Valley Farm Show is the oldest of its kind in Ontario, having started in the 1950s.

At this year’s event, one topic dominated the discussion at the 360 exhibitors booths across the EY Centre.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods have sparked a trade war between the two historic allies, sending a wide range of industries into an economic storm of uncertainty.

“It’s crazy. it’s not really called for. We have such a great relationship and it’s just unfortunate that it’s really just one person,” said Jeff Wilker, sales manager at Cowcatcher Canada.

“I’m sure that people from America, the farmers, are not happy.”

Cowcatcher Canada manufactures specialized, heavy-duty headgates and cattle chutes for dairy and cattle farmers across Canada, with some customers south of the border.

“We really don’t have a dealer down there yet, but we are looking so, we’ll see how it goes,” Wilker said.

“There is a little uncertainty at the moment. No one seems to know exactly how it’s going to affect the farming industry.”

Wilker adds the company does most of its business in Ontario and he is confident it will be able to “weather the storm”.

Just around the corner at the event, Sam Abourjeily, sales manager for Bugnot North America, says he has been in regular communication with the company’s American customers.

“We’re just waking up every day and reacting to whatever decision [Trump] has come up with every day,” he said.

“I tell them, ‘I hope you can decide to buy your machines today, because tomorrow, it may be 25 per cent more. So, a machine that was worth $100,000, tomorrow, I may be obliged to sell it to you for $125,000.’”

Abourjeily says he has been to several farming trade shows since Trump took office, and he has heard a clear message from many American farmers.

“I was hearing a lot of sympathy from the Americans. They were coming to our booth feeling sorry for us and the way we have been treated, saying we didn’t deserve it,” he said.

“They love to do business with us, and they are hoping that this trade war won’t prevent us from coming back again.”

Others at the Ottawa Valley Farm Show say they hope the ripple effect of tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum sent to the U.S. doesn’t reverberate back up north, driving up costs for Canadian businesses.

“I just hope our steel manufacturers here don’t use that as a way to jack the price up for us,” said Chris Runstedler, owner of Bach-Run Farms Ltd.

“Everybody needs to just settle down, take a chill pill and work this out.”

Others at the three-day event have felt a silver lining, with the trade war driving up sales.

Bruce Cook owns Ontario Flag and Pole. He says his phone has been ringing off the hook with orders for Canadian flags as a wave of patriotism sweeps the nation.

“Since February, it’s been kicking into high gear. I can’t even keep up. The amount of poles with flags, with the Canadian flag for Canadians, and it’s just nuts,” he said.

“We’re very thankful, obviously, but given the unfortunate times we’re in, we just hope it ends sooner rather than later.”

Cook says the products he sells are all Canadian made, with flags manufactured in Toronto.

The Ottawa Valley Trade show will continue until Thursday, March 13.