Wheat producers across Canada are facing an increasingly complex landscape.
To unpack some of the challenges and explore practical ways to adapt with confidence, we spoke with Dean Klippenstein, Partner at MNP and business advisor to farmers across the Prairies. Drawing on his experience, Dean shares grounded insights on managing change in today’s evolving environment.
Q. What are some of the biggest challenges facing wheat producers today?
I’d say the sheer volume of things coming at producers. Technology, climate regulations, transportation, succession planning, it’s all overwhelming. Add that to the reality of running a farm while juggling family life and you can see why many are stretched thin.
Transportation remains a long-standing issue in Western Canada. We produce a huge volume of grain and we’re a long way from tidewater, with a mountain range in the middle. Climate regulation is another uncertainty, everyone knows change is coming, but nobody knows if it’s three months or 30 years away. On top of that, new technology is moving so quickly it makes it hard to keep up.
Succession also weighs on producers. They know it’s important, but their often left on their own to figure it out. And meanwhile, they’re expected to put in a crop, manage hired labour, and make agronomic decisions.
Q. How does MNP support producers in making more confident decisions on farm?
Most decisions on the farm come back to two things: what’s happening in the field and what it means for the bottom line. That’s why we have brought agronomy and financial expertise together. The agronomists provide the ground truth such as soil sampling, yield maps, and crop planning. We then connect the agronomic information to the financial side which allows decisions to be both productive and profitable.
Producers also have different comfort levels with risk. Some are willing to gamble a bit, while others want a safety net. We will help them understand exactly where they sit on that spectrum and design an insurance and financial strategy around it. That way, when markets swing or weather turns against them, they know their downside is covered.
Q. How is MNP helping producers prepare for the future, whether that’s growth, transition, or succession?
Growth, transition, and succession all look very different, but the common thread is helping producers focus on the decisions that only they can make.
When we talk about retirement, expansion, or selling land, there are always discussions about taxes or auction planning. We take those pieces off their plate. Producers do not need to spend energy on the things they cannot control. Our role is to handle the technical side and keep them informed, so they can put their energy into the choices that really matter, like whether to hold land for the next generation or sell it.
By narrowing the focus and lifting away the background noise, we make it easier for producers to move forward with clarity. That support helps clients manage the present while still planning for the future.
Q. What advice would you give to producers looking to adapt and stay competitive in today’s environment?
Farming is constantly evolving, and the operations that stay competitive are the ones that keep moving forward. If you’re not improving, you risk being left behind. History proves that point. For example, if someone was farming with half their land in summerfallow rotation, using old drills and no fertilizer, they would not be farming today. Their competitors would have likely become more efficient or bought them out.
The same principle applies today. Staying competitive means treating farming like the business it is. It requires continuous improvement, whether that is adopting new practices, sharpening efficiency, or making better use of data and technology.
Q. Where can producers go to learn more or connect with MNP’s agriculture team?
I am old school, so I like to have a chat over a cup of coffee, and I always welcome producers to give me a call. A real conversation is the only way to understand your farm and how we can help. You can also visit mnp.ca to explore our full range of agriculture services.
Agriculture Financial Services & Risk Management | MNP
Dean Klippenstine
Dean.Klippenstine@mnp.ca