While rising costs and ongoing trade tensions with the U.S. continue to cause challenges, equipment dealers say strong sales and record crops could help counteract the damage.
“I’ve been in the business 40 years, and this is one of the most challenging years that we’ve had with the costs,” said Dave Teigen, Western Regional Manager for LS Tractors.
Teigen spoke to Glacier FarmMediaat Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, held near Woodstock, Ont. September 15 to 17.
Despite the challenges, Teigen said LS is continuing to push for success in Canada and expects a positive year ahead. This includes a new distribution centre in Alliston, Ont., to ship tractors directly from South Korea to circumnavigate tariffs.
“We’re on the right track,” Teigen said. “We’ve added 10 new dealers in Canada this year. We anticipate another 10 more.”
WHY IT MATTERS: The collapse of a U.S.-Canada trade deal left many retailers with an uncertain market heading into 2027.
Sergio Correia, Canadian Sales Manager at Salford Group, said Salford has had a difficult year and described the industry as “up and down.”
“That being said, we’re having a year where crops look pretty good,” Correia said. “Commodity prices are bouncing back in some areas, so there’s some optimism that next year will be a bit more of a positive year,.”
Väderstad sales manager Curtis Pitcher also said the past year was tougher than most, but a strong crop in Ontario could be a boost to dealers.
“I think we have some of, from what Grain Farmers of Ontario are saying, potentially record crops here for soybeans … and possibly second-highest here for corn,” he said.
Strong beef, dairy support companies
Strong beef and dairy sectors have also helped some companies like Penta Equipment. North American sales manager Alan Herron said the success in both sectors has contributed to a strong year for Penta.
“We’re very focused on both the dairy and the beef industry, and those two industries continue to show a lot of strength,” Herron said. “Farmers continue to be very optimistic and continue to push to expand their operations.”
He said the tariffs have not been a major issue for Penta.
Other companies, like Braber Equipment, have managed to dodged the worst impacts of tariffs due to the nature of their products.
“We’re into the small three-point hitch implements,” said sales manager Craig Ivatts. “We’re hearing things are a little flat when it comes to some big iron, with us fortunately selling a lot of small implements, sales are actually up again this year, so we’re having a very strong season.”
“With things happening around the world and our friends from the other side (of the border), obviously prices are definitely going to be fluctuating,” he added. “But the thing there is, it’s going to fluctuate for everyone. So, it’s not just us being affected; it’s everyone affected.”
- Check out the rest of our coverage of Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2026
