The Truth About Generations in Ag Business with John Heimbecker

John Heimbecker of Parrish & Heimbecker joins Kristjan and Evan to share what four decades in Canadian agriculture have taught him about leadership, diversification, and long-term thinking. From his start in a Toronto trading office to leading one of the country’s largest family-owned agribusinesses, John talks about how P&H develops people from the ground up, why family members start at the bottom, and how empowering non-family managers has kept the company moving forward.

The conversation dives into marketing discipline, hedging strategies, and the role diversification plays in managing volatility across grain, feed, flour, and eggs. 

John also breaks down the supply chain challenges that hold Canadian agriculture back - rail monopolies, port inefficiencies, and the policy changes that could fix them. It’s a candid look at legacy, leadership, and the mindset required to build a business that lasts beyond a single generation.