Canadian farm cash receipts rebounded this past year, as strong gains in livestock markets outweighed weaker crop revenues and lower government program payments.
A Statistics Canada farm income report on Thursday pegged total 2025 national farm cash receipts - sales of crops and livestock products as well as payments from government programs– at $101.4 billion, up $3.3 billion or 3.4% from a year earlier. In 2024, total farm cash receipts were down $1.4 billion from the previous year – the first year-over-year decrease since 2010.
Livestock was the main driver of 2025 farm cash receipts, increasing a hefty $5.3 billion or 13.1% to $45.3 billion. In contrast, crop receipts declined $871.5 million or 1.7% to $51.3 billion, while direct program payments fell $1.1 billion or 18.4% to $4.8 billion, moderating the overall increase in farm income.
Most provinces reported higher farm cash receipts in 2025, led by Alberta and Ontario. Alberta receipts rose 5.9% to $24.4 billion, reflecting strong livestock performance. Ontario posted a 3.6% increase to $23.5 billion. Manitoba also saw gains, with receipts climbing to $24.4 billion, up from $23.0 billion in 2024. Saskatchewan was the lone province to record a decline, with total receipts down 2.1% to $21.0 billion, as higher livestock receipts were insufficient to offset lower crop revenues and reduced program payments.
Canola and specialty crops led the overall decline in 2025 crop receipts. Canola returns dropped 6.4% to $12.1 billion, the lowest level since 2021, as marketings fell 6.9% after tariffs curtailed exports. Lentil receipts tumbled 29.5% to $1.1 billion, while dry pea receipts fell 31.6% to $671.5 million, pressured by lower prices, weaker demand and ample global supplies.
Wheat (excl durum) receipts in 2025 were reported at $8.5 billion, up modestly from $8.4 billion a year earlier, while durum returns increased 10.7% to $1.9 billion.
Corn receipts declined 5.4% from 2024 to $2.9 billion, the lowest national total since 2021, while soybean receipts increased $67.2 million or 1.8% to $3.8 billion as higher marketings offset lower prices.
Livestock receipts were supported by higher prices across nearly all sectors. Cattle receipts increased $3.1 billion or 20.6% to $18.4 billion, as tight supplies pushed prices 22.7% higher despite lower marketings for slaughter and exports. Hog receipts rose $880.8 million or almost 14% to $7.2 billion, driven mainly by prices that increased 11.4%, while marketings were up 2.2% amid strong demand for pork products.
Supply-managed receipts increased 3.2% to $15.7 billion, accounting for more than one-third of total livestock receipts.
In terms of the 18.4% year-over-year fall in total program payments, crop insurance payments were down $938.7 million, accounting for more than 85% of the overall decline, reflecting improved growing conditions, with Saskatchewan and Alberta posting the largest reductions.
