Jett Schwaier/CHAT News Today

By Jett Schwaier

Cypress County

Premier Smith attends third annual Cypress County Ag Connections Conference

Nov 13, 2025 | 6:01 PM

Cypress County held its third annual Ag Connections Conference on Nov. 13, 2025, with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith as the keynote speaker.

Two speakers made presentations at the conference following the premiere.

Graeme Crosbie from Farm Credit Canada had presented the latest outlook on the agricultural economy, and Ashish Utarid from IG Wealth Management gave a presentation on the impact of tariffs.

The speeches and presentations at the conference highlighted that the province’s agricultural sector is emerging as a key contributor to global food security.

With many countries lacking the land or climate to produce enough food domestically, Alberta’s vast farmland, advanced production methods, and strong export capacity place it in a good position to meet international demand.

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Provincial officials say agriculture should be viewed as equally vital to global stability as energy production.

Government representatives have emphasized that maintaining access to essential farming inputs, such as fertilizers derived from natural gas, remains crucial to supporting sustainable food production.

Alberta continues to advocate for balanced environmental policies that do not restrict producers’ ability to grow food efficiently.

Trade diversification is another major focus.

While the United States remains Alberta’s largest trading partner, the province is seeking to expand its agricultural exports to Asian markets through improved rail infrastructure and shipping access via the Port of Prince Rupert.

Developing the next generation of producers is also a priority.

Agricultural high schools and dual-credit programs have been introduced to connect students with careers in modern farming, animal science, and food processing.

Officials say fostering youth interest is essential as the number of active producers continues to decline.

Succession planning and land affordability remain concerns for family farms, as rising land values make ownership transfers more difficult.

Meanwhile, in southern Alberta, investments in irrigation infrastructure are being explored to improve water security and support production in regions prone to droughts.

As the global demand for food grows, Alberta’s innovation, strong producer network, and expanding trade links position the province as a leader in ensuring food stability.

A free lunch was provided to the enormous number of people in the audience after the presentations.

The conference took place at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede grounds at 10:15 a.m.