Corn is the story that keeps on telling. With USDA revising yields and ending stocks lower in the US, the farmers with decent yields have enjoyed some great returns this year. I have even seen some corn acre forecasts for 2011 being discussed on CNBC's Squawk Box. When there is this much hype and we... Read More
Category: Eastern Canada
The Succession Saga - Part Two By Dick Haney The Prince Charles Syndrome is an affliction that affects not only Royal Families, but potentially your family business as well. The House of Windsor (The ruling English Monarchy) is arguably one of the most successful family businesses on the planet. Although the House of Windsor has... Read More
Managing risk is a major part of running any farm or livestock operation. Alberta recently tried to aid it's provincial livestock producers by launching the Cattle Price Insurance Program (CPIP). Recently Ontario Provincial Ag-Critic, Mr. Ernie Hardeman, MPP, questioned why the Ontario government was stalling in implementing a similar program to ensure Ontario producer competitiveness.... Read More
By Shaun Haney Few debates in life involve an all or none scenario. Some people try to make things this way but in reality it is not possible. This is similar to the debate of whether organic agriculture and modern agriculture can co-exist. The better question is why not? As I have mentioned many times... Read More
One of the good news items this fall has been the soybean story. Yields in Ontario this fall were outstanding, reaching record highs in some areas of the province while at the same time off combine prices reached seasonal highs. Demand is strong for soybeans from countries like China. Already everyone is speculating on the... Read More
I have never owned a hog or participated in the business at all but from the outside it does appear to be a very tough financial business. I have had several chats with producers that have been in the business for a long time and the concerns are real for the long term sustainability of... Read More
By Dick Haney Succession, or as some call it- Sucksession, the silent killer of small business, is potentially the Ebola disease of family business longevity. I am going to approach this topic from a different number of directions over the course of a number of weeks. This topic will be analyzed and dissected from the... Read More
By Shaun Haney There was a time when your banker was your friend, your confident and your advisor. This was especially true in agriculture where farmers had a very close relationship with the man that was lending them the money. Your banker lived in the community, he knew your business, he analyzed it, and gave... Read More
If you are interested in politics and economics like I am there is no more interesting fodder every night on the television than in the United States. I love debates and conflict on topics and the US has no shortage of them right now. Whether you are right, left or moderate you cannot deny the... Read More
Two weeks ago I interviewed Mischa Popoff who has written a book entitled, "Is it Organic?" This interview initiated several comments and emails directly to me that were both positive and negative. Whenever we have controversial issues I am trying to engage different stakeholders to ensure that you are permitted to form your own opinions.... Read More