It's no secret that farm land prices across Canada have been red hot. Ontario has certainly reflected that trend, with sky-high prices in late winter this year leaving some very happy, and others more than a little concerned about the affordability of land. Ontario field editor Bernard Tobin spoke with Marleen Van Ham, appraiser and... Read More
Category: Farm Management
I saw a placard earlier this year around the University of Guelph declaring food is a right. Well, if that’s the case, then those who produce food better have rights too, rights that are shared with the public, clearly understood and widely accepted. A step in that direction takes place May 14, 2013, at the... Read More
Land prices seem to have endless upward momentum. Farm Credit Canada's latest land value estimates suggest some very impressive gains in values when taken on their own, but put those numbers over a three to five year span, and the bull run on prices seems unstoppable and nearly unbelievable in some cases. But it would... Read More
A historic moment transpired last night. The Calgary Flames traded its leading scorer, captain and legendary player, Jarome Iginla, to the Pittsburgh Penguins for two marginal prospects and a late first-round draft pick in the 2013 entry. Long-time Calgary Flames fans are disappointed with the return for their greatest hero. Much of the sports media... Read More
Farmers do an amazing job of keeping current on the latest agronomy findings, and many are keen to work on new and improved practices each year. But not everyone loves biology — some prefer the business side of farming and enjoy the time spent analyzing markets and setting up a hedging strategy. Each crop type... Read More
There is definitely a market for connecting farm renters and land owners. Retiring farmers are tending to hold onto the land asset and cash rent it to other farmers. Another trend is that farm renters are willing to farm across greater distances and not just from neighbors that they have known for 30 years. All... Read More
The Western Grains Research Foundation is reminding farmers that the federal government annually provides a Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax credit to producers offering them a tax credit on their check-off investments. The tax credit percentage for producers who contributed to the Wheat and Barley Check-off, administered by the Western Grains Research Foundation... Read More
I'm not a big markets person. I know, I know, it's agriculture, how could I not be into markets? I have a basic understanding of charts and outlooks, of course, but by my heart is in the soil, plants and animals — the futures market is rather Greek to me. Still, it's difficult to attend... Read More
"Farm succession is a journey, not an event." That's the key message farm succession expert Len Davies has for farm families in the final episode of Agricultural Management Institute’s (AMI) new five-part video series. In the earlier episodes, four farm families shared their personal insights on what made their farm succession plans work. In the... Read More
As of Monday, March 4, 2013, the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) is accepting cash advance applications for the 2013-14 Advanced Payments Program (APP). “This is the third year that we have accepted applications ahead of the April 1st program start date,” says Rick White, General Manager of CCGA. “By doing so, we provide farmers... Read More