We have lots of cows in Canadian Agriculture, but we also have some sacred cows a well. One of these is the ability to shelter income through the cash method of reporting farming income. For those who don€™t know how this works, it is a simplistic formula whereby as long as you have more expenses... Read More
Category: Canadian Agriculture Policy
As if 2010 hasn't brought enough challenges for Western Canadian farmers, now we have the potential of a railway strike in our midst. The conductors at CN rail are talking tough about several issues and a settlement does not seem near. Richard Phillips is the Executive Director of the Grain Growers of Canada and he... Read More
By Shaun Haney This week the Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ag Canada, farmers and industry have made a major commitment to plant breeding in Eastern Canada. There was a lot of excitement in the Grain Farmers of Ontario booth at Canada's Outdoor Farm Show this week. It didn't take long to quickly figure out what... Read More
There is never a shortage of issues in the cattle business. Since 2003 we have dealt a rising currency, export bans and struggles with boxed beef demand. On the bright side the supply equation looks to be bullish and demand for middle meat appears to be recovering. On the political side there has been some... Read More
One of the huge perks of this job is my ability to meet and interact with cool interesting people from across the country. I have had a chance to hear Jeffrey Simpson speak twice this summer. Jeffrey is the national affairs columnist at the Globe and Mail and also has received the Order of Canada... Read More
By Shaun Haney One of the things that I enjoy the most about my ability to travel across the country is the knowledge, opinions and perspectives that I get to gather from farmers from many different backgrounds. I hear many things from many people that are very intriguing, stimulating and incredibly thought provoking. I really... Read More
To say that Travis Toews is willing to take on challenges is putting things mildly. In fact if I was him I would say goodbye to my cows back home and get the frequent flyer program revved up, especially if his reign as President of CCA is anything like his predecessors. Travis is the new... Read More
Last week at the international livestock congress I heard many speeches about the past, present and future of the canadian cattle industry. At the beginning of congress the Alberta Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development welcomed the delegates to Calgary and wished them the best at their conference. Due to the fact Mr. Hayden is... Read More
By Shaun Haney On Tuesday night I was following my usually routine of watching the National on CBC before I go to sleep for the night. One of the leading stories was about the Ontario government starting an online casino to compete in this massive market against the likes of Poker Stars and Bodog. This... Read More
By Shaun Haney This week I am on holidays and have been enjoying the fresh BC fresh air and boating on the lake at any chance we can. Even though we are on holidays there is always time for a great half day field tour of some of the local agricultural production. On top of... Read More