4-H has historically been a male-oriented organization, going back to the early days in Roland, Manitoba in 1913. But, female involvement has grown, with women taking many leadership positions in the last decade or two. In fact, around 60 percent of 4-H Canada members are now female — well above the average mix of women... Read More
Category: Farm Management
Some of the most challenging times in our lives came as a result of change. And, it's no wonder many of us fear it. Change often means confronting the unknown. So, how do you start a conversation around change in your business or organization, where it might be met with hesitance? "I think part of... Read More
Are you getting the most out of your robot milkers? The recipe for success includes a combination of technical savvy and good herd management skills. Earlier this month at the World Dairy Expo, RealAgriculture talked with DeLaval Robot Academy instructors Ryan Weis and Lizzy French. The Academy, based in Madison, Wisconsin, offers a two-and-a-half day... Read More
Financial ratios serve three main purposes: they provide a quick assessment of a business's financial health, they're a tool for diagnosing financial problems if they exist, and they serve as a measurement for assessing whether problems are being solved. "They show you where you've been, they show you where you have a problem and they... Read More
Farming is not just about producing crops or raising livestock. Much of what separates high performance farms from average to below-average farms is their ability to excel at everything from human resources management and looking after their team to understanding financial ratios and how to deal with the banker, says Rob Hannam, lead facilitator for... Read More
"I just don't have time." How often do we use this as an excuse for not exercising, sleeping or carrying out an activity that we know would benefit our overall health and wellness? We all know that exercise, eating right and getting enough sleep are important, but translating that knowledge into behaviour and sustaining it... Read More
In 2009, 51.2% of Canada's business and financial professionals were women, according to Statistics Canada, well up from the 38.3% in 1987. But, there's still room for movement into managerial positions, with 37% of those roles being filled by women, and only 31.6% in senior managerial roles (both up from 30.1% and 21%, respectively, in... Read More
In an era of low interest rates, it's easy to become complacent about the cost of borrowing money, but the day will come when rates rise again. How would your farm handle a one percent increase in rates? What about a three percent rise? Or five percent? Those levels would still be well within the... Read More
“The definition of mentorship is to empower. The meaning of empowerment is to enable, liberate, engage, free and permit. It is the drawing out of the very best in a person without the constraints of expectation or entitlement. Thus, to mentor is to guide the process so that an individual has the power to change... Read More
Life is all about relationships, whether working with a neighbour on the farm or helping students and teachers understand science. And that's exactly what Bonnie Schmidt, the president of Let's Talk Science, discussed at the Advancing Women Conference East in Toronto this week, where she delved into the importance of trusting others and working together.... Read More