Busy itinerary for ag minister during Washington trip

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on April 8, 2025.

Alberta’s minister of agriculture and irrigation will engage in trade talks today with several U.S. stakeholders during a three-day trip to Washington, D.C.

On his Tuesday itinerary, RJ Sigurdson has five meetings with representatives from the National Potato Council, American Soybean Association, American Farm Bureau and the North American Meat Institute,. Additionally, Sigurdson will attend the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance Reception this evening.

Tomorrow the minister plans to meet with the Canadian Minister Counsellor on economic trade and policy, as well as meeting representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wednesday evening Sigurdson plans to attend the National Pork Producers Council Reception.

On Thursday the minister will attend a session called “Cultivating Competitiveness: Position North America as a Strategic Agriculture Bloc,” before returning to Alberta on Friday.

Sigurdson says the trip will allow the province to engage U.S. stakeholders who are Alberta’s largest importers of agriculture products, purchasing more than $9.3 billion in 2024. Of that total, live cattle, beef, canola seed, meal and oil and processed potatoes make up $7 billion worth of exports, the province says.

“Though the April 2 announcement from the Trump administration was a positive one for our province and country for the time being, some uncertainty remains and our relationship with the U.S needs to be strengthened,” said Sigurdson. “I want every ag producer and processor in our province to know that we have your back and will continue to advocate for your needs during these difficult times, and that is exactly what I intend to do in Washington this week.”

The province says U.S demand for beef continues to grow as the average American eats approximately 60 pounds per year in 2024.

The minister’s travel expenses will be posted on the province’s travel and expense disclosure page.