From fields to the world: Saskatchewan farm innovation goes global

We’re highlighting Canadian innovation that helps farmers harvest more efficiently and use resources more sustainably. From Saskatchewan fields to farms worldwide, Duck Foots Parts is reducing harvest loss, putting more grain in bins, and helping to drive increased food production around the world.

Duck Foot Parts makes attachments for combine harvesters that improve yield and reduce waste as crops are harvested. Shaped like the webbed foot of a duck, the product slips over the tines on the headers that feed crops into the combine. For farmers, the investment pays off almost instantly in added bushels and faster harvest times.

The idea came from Steve Kastning of Govan, Saskatchewan. In 2015, frustrated by high losses while harvesting lentils, he began designing prototypes with different plastics, encouraged by his wife Chrisa Kastning. By 2016, the couple had their “paddle tines” injection-molded out of durable resin and were selling them in Canada. Within months, a Canadian farmer’s tweet praising the product led to their first shipment abroad, to an agricultural equipment distributor in Australia.

“It saves time and money during harvest,” recalls Steve. “With rising costs, farmers are searching for new ways to increase efficiencies, while also protecting soil health and maintaining land quality for future generations.”

“We can save farms hundreds or thousands of dollars in loss and waste,” adds Chrisa, the company’s CEO. 

The United States was a natural export market, given its proximity to Canada and its position as one of the world’s largest soybean producers. It was also where the Kastnings first manufactured their paddle tines. By 2019, they were showcasing their products at U.S. trade shows, generating strong interest and steady sales.

Through the Saskatchewan Trade & Export Partnership (STEP) program, the company began exploring international opportunities. In 2020, STEP connected Duck Foot Parts with the TCS team in Brazil to vet a potential partner and also supported their participation in the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP).

With ongoing support from the TCS Regional Office for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, including Trade Commissioner Stacey Sauer, the Kastnings refined their diversification strategy. “I have been impressed by their strategic, proactive approach to growing their business internationally,” says Sauer. “They understand the markets with the best prospects, and they take the right steps to explore those markets.”

TCS support later opened doors in Kazakhstan. In spring 2024, a distributor visited Canada, followed up by Steve’s trip to demonstrate the product in the field. The company now has steady orders there, with sales also growing in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Trade shows, supported by TCS matchmaking, have often provided a platform for Canadian companies like Duck Foot Parts and their Kazakh distributors to meet international buyers and build successful partnerships. 

The TCS helps Canadian companies like Duck Foot Parts identify the best markets and assess potential challenges. “A focused, intentional plan helps companies develop manageable, successful strategies in their target markets,” says Trade Commissioner Stacey Sauer.

With the support of TCS offices abroad, Duck Foot Parts has vetted distribution partners and assessed market entry strategies. Funding from the TCS CanExport SMEs program has also helped the company explore new regions. These resources have supported its expansion into markets including the United States, Germany, Brazil, and Kazakhstan.

Today, 40 per cent of Duck Foot Parts’ sales are in Canada and 60 per cent are international, divided between the United States and other growing markets. As the company has expanded abroad, co-founder Steve Kastning notes one of the biggest challenges has been protecting intellectual property. “Spend the money on a patent lawyer if you're serious about doing this. Getting it done properly the first time will save you a lot of money in the long run,” he advises. “If you make even minor mistakes, people can get around your patents.”

His second piece of advice includes taking advantage of Canada’s trade network “be sure to get yourself involved with the Trade Commissioner Service. It's a great free service, and it's very beneficial.”

Diversification brings many advantages. For Duck Foot Parts, international customers provide more than additional sales. They also share valuable feedback to help improve their product as farmers operate under a range of conditions and on different crops.

“It’s putting a lot more money in farmers’ pockets and more grain in their bins, which means more food in the world,” says Steve. “We have to grow more with less land, so we have to save somewhere.”

To meet demand, the Kastnings moved manufacturing to Canada and began producing parts in-house under a second brand, DFP Manufacturing. Duck Foot Parts continues to post steady growth each year.

“Our mission is to help get our sustainable product to more farmers around the world in order to help increase harvest efficiency,” says Steve. The product is being tested in Brazil, Argentina and South Africa, where the Kastnings soon hope to have sales. They’ve also been contacted by potential buyers in Lithuania, Italy and Spain.

Looking to diversify your exports? The TCS helps Canadian companies of all sizes succeed in international markets through export advisory services, funding, accelerator programs and tailored support at trade missions and events.

A solid diversification strategy can help you build long-term stability and global success. You can expand your client base and navigate areas such as:

• unexpected changes in market access
• exchange rate fluctuations
• changes in foreign government policies.

Explore resources from the TCS and our partners to do business with the world.