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Tariffs likely to cause shifts in livestock rations

The retiring head of the Wisconsin Agribusiness Association and former feed mill manager says the new tariffs on Canadian products that start in April will likely cause a shift in livestock feed use.

Tom Bresner tells Brownfield canola meal has been a low-cost protein source popular with producers, but that’s likely to change. “As far as the canola meal, it’s still set at 35% at this point, and so for the most part, that’s going to completely price it out. So does that mean that in Canada, canola meal prices are going to fall out of bed and soybean meal prices in the U.S. are going to go up? It’s a moving target we don’t have an answer to.”

Bresner says Wisconsin livestock producers should not worry about running out of quality protein feed ingredients. “It means we’re going to be switching back. We’re going to be making a whole lot more trips into Minnesota, Illinois, or Iowa to get more soybean meal, so no, it’s still going to be taken care of. It’s just going to change the way things are currently being done in a lot of feed rations.”

As for other products like Canadian potash, Bressner says he’s not expecting any shortages or major price shifts this spring. “All of your fertilizer dealers for the most part have everything full. They’re ready for the season, so hopefully, there’s not a lot of issues there, but even on potash, it’s already been lowered to a 10% tariff rather than the 35%.”

Bresner says he was surprised at how much canola meal feed mill operators use in the U.S. considering the large amount of soybean meal available domestically. 

Bressner spoke to Brownfield during Ag Day at the Capitol in Madison Wednesday.

AUDIO: Tom Bressner discusses the expected tariffs, canola, and fertilizer with Brownfield’s Larry Lee during Ag Day at the Capitol 3/26/25.