October 2026

CAAR in Action

It's fall and harvest is well underway across the Prairies despite the late and wet start. While ag retailers are supporting farmers in the field and on the driveway, the CAAR team is busy planning and preparing for the 2026 CAAR Connect Convention. The countdown is on until the annual convention starts in Regina in six weeks. If you haven't already registered, don't delay. Spots are filling up fast and rooms at the Hotel Saskatchewan are already sold out!

September was full of meetings with members, industry and government. Executive Director Myrna Grahn attended Fertilizer Canada's annual conference in Charlottetown, PEI from September 14 to 16. It was a great opportunity to meet with fertilizer companies and ag retailers in Atlantic Canada. Myrna met with numerous fertilizer companies during the week she was in PEI and had positive conversations about CAAR priorities and the work we are doing on behalf of ag retailers.

As a member of the Nutrients for Life (NFL) board of directors, Myrna participated in the fundraising golf tournament, which had 22 sponsored holes. Nutrients for Life is holding its next board meeting in Regina in tandem with the CAAR Connect Convention, which will provide an opportunity for its board members to connect with the ag retail industry.

While out East, Myrna was joined by former CAAR board member Stan Loewen to continue building awareness of CAAR in the Atlantic provinces. They met with Cavendish Agri Services and McCain Fertilizers to discuss regional and federal issues and share priorities with the aim of expanding CAAR's national presence and supporting ag retailers across the country.

Myrna and CAAR Chair Stu Rasmussen met with Troy Lau and Stefan Schulde from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to talk about the fertilizer outlook and the impact that pricing and supply, from the retailer to grower perspective, will have on crop choices and the timing of crop input applications in Canada. CAAR continues to strengthen its relationships with the federal government to ensure that the ag retail industry is represented.

CAAR and its members are participating in bi-weekly meetings on customer formula fertilizer bulk labelling. A joint committee, co-chaired by CFIA and Fertilizer Canada, continues to meet to identify practical solutions to the regulatory challenges and CAAR and its members are part of the conversation.

Later this month, Myrna is going to Ottawa to participate in the Canadian Fertilizer Products Forum on October 21 and 22. She will also be attending CFA and Seeds Canada receptions while she is in Ottawa to continue to strengthen CAAR's presence and build stronger relationships with the agriculture industry.

CAAR is your member organization. We want to be speaking about the issues that are on your mind and impacting your business so your feedback is important. We're hosting a Canadian Ag Retail Forum on Tuesday, November 17 in Regina prior to the Welcome Reception at the convention. This will be our third annual Canadian Ag Retail Forum. It's open to ag retail members only, so be sure to attend this important discussion.

The CAAR Connect Convention is your opportunity to network and be in the room to discuss the issues and share ideas with other members of our industry and key stakeholders. Come for the learning and stay for the conversation!

As always, if there are issues or concerns you'd like to raise or events that CAAR should be at, please reach out to Myrna at myrna@caar.org. CAAR is your association and we want to represent your interests as the voice of ag retail in Canada.

Myrna and Stan Loewen with

Alec Ready, McCain Fertilizer.

Stan Loewen and Myrna with Craig Smallman, Tara Smith and Bernadette Forrester with Cavendish Agri Services.

2026 CAAR Connect Convention

The countdown is on for the 2026 CAAR Connect Convention, which will bring together leading voices from across Canadian agriculture for two days of insight, discussion and connection.

This year’s program tackles the issues shaping ag retail today and what’s coming next — from the Canadian and global agricultural outlook and changing farm economics to regulatory competitiveness, farmer decision-making, drones, AI and innovation.

Hear from Shaun Haney of RealAgriculture, Desmond Sobool of FCC, and senior leaders from ADAMA, BASF, Bayer Crop Science, Canterra Seeds, Nutrien, CropLife Canada and Seeds Canada for insights on the issues and trends impacting the industry!

Beyond the sessions, CAAR Connect offers plenty of opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and build new relationships, including the Welcome Reception, networking breaks and lunch, CAAR Connect Happy Hour with exhibitors, and the CAAR Connect Convention Gala and Auction.

Three days. Big conversations. Valuable connections. One place for Canada’s ag retail industry to come together. Don’t miss your opportunity to be part of CAAR Connect 2026. Join us November 17 to 19 in Regina!

Learn more and register today on the convention website.

BOOK YOUR HOTEL ROOM TODAY!

Ramada Plaza Downtown Regina

The CAAR room block at the Hotel Saskatchewan is full. We have secured additional rooms at the Ramada Plaza Downtown Regina just down the street with rates from $162 to $189 per night. Click here to book your room at the Ramada today!

Delta Regina

There are also rooms available at the Delta Regina. To book rooms at a rate of $209 per night, please click here for the hotel link.

Calling all suppliers: Auction items wanted!

The convention wouldn't be possible without the support of our generous sponsors. Thank you to ADAMA Canada, BASF, Bayer, Canterra Seeds, Corteva, FCC, Hi-Tech Installations, Meridian Manufacturing, MLT Aikins, OCP, Q-Line Trucking, SeCan, Scotiabank and Sherritt/IRM for sponsoring the 2026 CAAR Connect Convention.

Donate an auction prize!

CAAR's annual live auction is a highight of the convention. We're looking for auction prizes to ramp up the excitement and bidding. Donate a product or a prize package to get in on the action and promote your company while supporting our industry.

There are still plenty of opportunities to get involved in this year's convention from the auction to sponsorship and securing a Cruise & Connect table. Contact Tracey Shelton, Communications & Convention Manager, at tracey@caar.org to learn more.

2026 CAAR Choice Awards

The annual CAAR Choice Awards celebrate the achievements, dedication, and impact of CAAR members who support their communities, growers, and the ag retail industry. Help us recognize excellence and champion the people and businesses making a difference by submitting a nomination for a CAAR Award for 2026. The deadline to submit a nomination is October 15, 2026.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

Agronomist of the Year
Retailer of the Year
Supplier of the Year
Retailer Hall of Fame
Growing Connections Award presented by CANTERRA SEEDS.

Awards will be presented at the 2026 CAAR Connect Convention Gala on Wednesday, November 18. To submit a nomination online, click here.

CAAR Ag Retail Forum 2026

The CAAR Ag Retail Forum is an exclusive opportunity for CAAR retail members to come together for a candid discussion about the issues affecting ag retail. This member-only facilitated discussion will provide an opportunity to share perspectives, identify common concerns, and help shape conversations that matter to Canada’s ag retail sector.

This forum is open to ag retail members only and registration is required. Click here to RSVP today.

Supplier Spotlight: BASF

BASF Agricultural Solutions helps you get the most from every acre. BASF is a market leader in the development, formulation and distribution of agricultural solutions from seed through to harvest, including crop protection and agricultural products, seed breeding technology, and digital farming solutions. BASF has invested and continues to invest in, research and innovative product development to bring the market-leading solutions farmers need today, and tomorrow.

Tariff relief: Protecting Canadian businesses

Canada’s counter-tariffs support Canadian workers, producers, and manufacturers affected by U.S. tariffs by creating a more level playing field in the Canadian market. Businesses that import goods subject to these measures—including certain U.S. imports covered by the counter-tariffs that came into force on September 8, 2026—may be eligible for remission or other tariff relief where the measures create unintended challenges for their operations or supply chains.

For more information on Canada's tariff response, visit the website here.

Ag Retail Management Certificate Program

CAAR's inaugural Ag Retail Management Certificate Program, which is sponsored by FCC, continues this fall with online learning and another in-person session in combination with the CAAR Connect Convention in Regina in November.

We've been introducing you to our participants over the last two months. Meet the remaining members of the class of 2026!

“I enrolled in CAAR's Ag Retail Management Certificate Program because management requires an ongoing education in order to stay sharp and have the knowledge and skillset to not only succeed yourself, but to help others around you.”

Kevin Beeson

Territory Manager, McEwens Fuels & Fertilizer

“I signed up for the Ag Retail Management Certificate Program because I want to better myself in my current role and become a valuable leader for my company."

Mike Sittler

Assistant Manager, The Rack/Rack Petroleum Ltd.

"I enrolled in the program because it aligns with the challenges I'm working through and my desire to continue growing as a leader by strengthening my management skills, learning from peers, and connecting with others across the ag retail industry.”

Michelle Ramsden

Administration & Customer Service, Holmes Agro

“I enrolled in CAAR's Ag Retail Management Certificate Program because it was an opportunity to keep growing and getting better.”

Troy Leicht

Agribusiness Manager,

The Rack/Rack Petroleum Ltd.

CAAR Connect sessions

CAAR Connect sessions are taking place again this fall and winter. Tune in to expand your knowledge and learn more about issues that are impacting the ag retail sector in Canada.

Join us Thursday, October 8 for the next CAAR Connect session as CADA's Markus Weber discusses regulations in Canada and what's changing for the drone market.

October 8: Regulation Changes and the Drone Market

Markus Weber, CADA

October 15: When Someone is Struggling: Three Tools to Share with Customers

Merle Massie, The Do More Ag Foundation

October 29: Uniting for Success: Advancing Supplier Retailer Relationships

Kevin Genest, Exigent Solutions Co. / Luke Walker, Elevation Ag / Harlene Simmons, AgriTeam Services Inc./Taylor Olsen, Olds Fertilizer & Agri Services

November 5: Ag Retail Warehousing and Staking

Terri Hamilton, T. Hamilton Consulting

December 3: Is My Customer’s Succession My Business?

Patti Durand, Brightrack

January 14: Precision Agriculture: Closing the Gap between Technology and the Farm

Leanne Koroscil, EMILI

Get CEU credits!

Make your learning count towards your credit hours! In partnership with Prairie CCA, CAAR Connect sessions offer CEU credits for sessions taken.

New resource: CAAR Ag Regulatory Guide

Did you know that CAAR has a valuable new resource on our website?

The CAAR Ag Regulatory Guide provides a comprehesive online overview of regulations and licensing requirements in each province and at the federal level. You can search by province or by regulation, Act, authority, topic or key word. Regulatory areas include everything from crop protection and fertilizer to chemical storage, treated seed, drone operations and more.

Check it out here!

CAAR Academy

The NEW CAAR Academy is here!

Discover a new look and a convenient way to access training, with group registration available for you and your team. Learn more and register here for the CAAR Academy.

Need help getting started? Contact Lisa Siragusa at training@caar.org for help with setup or registration.

Sponsor a Soil Science Explore Box

Help put soil science in the hands of students

Nutrients for Life is asking industry partners to donate $500 to sponsor a Soil Science Explore Box for a Canadian middle or high school classroom. Each box gives students the opportunity to explore soil science through hands-on activities. Students investigate:

🧪 Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium

🌱 Soil pH

💧 Water movement and soil porosity

🌎 Real Canadian soil samples

♻️ 4R Nutrient Stewardship

🔬 Hands-on, inquiry-based soil science

Each kit includes a step-by-step station approach designed to fit into one class session, making it easy for teachers to bring meaningful soil science into their classrooms. Teachers also receive access to a free virtual webinar where they can learn how to use the Explore Box and make the most of the activities.

Click here to learn more and sponsor a class today.