Farm business transition is not a new challenge or opportunity for the agriculture industry, but there's been an increased level of coverage and discussion about it in mainstream media following a well-publicized report by RBC highlighting the challenges earlier this spring. At RealAgriculture and RealAgristudies, we are very interested in this topic and how it... Read More
Category: Farm Management
Fourteen of Ontario's agriculture organizations are collectively asking the provincial government to pause forward momentum of the proposed Bill 97 and the Proposed Provincial Planning Statement. "We stand in strong opposition to the 3 lot severances per farm parcel proposed in prime agricultural areas as well as other measures that weaken local farmland protection. We... Read More
Tucked into the Ontario Progressive Conservatives' Bill 97 is a proposed change to severance allowances of farmland that the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) says could make siting of livestock farms much more difficulty. What's more, the bill carves out increased power for Ministerial Zoning Orders in the name of housing; however, Peggy Brekveld, president... Read More
The interest-free limit of the Advance Payments Program has been increased from $250,000 to $350,000 for the 2023 program year, effective May 8, 2023. This is the second expansion of the interest-free portion in the last year. It was increased from $100,000 to $250,000 for the 2022 and 2023 program years in June of 2022.... Read More
If you are a farmer or farm business owner, succession planning is a critical process that you cannot afford to overlook. Succession planning involves transferring ownership and management of your farm business to the next generation, and it is essential for ensuring the long-term viability of your business and your family's financial future. In this... Read More
The federal government will extend the Agri-Food Pilot until May 14, 2025. Launched in May 2020, the pilot program is designed to facilitate the transition of agricultural and food industry workers to permanent residency in Canada. Recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce is key to success for Canadian farmers and food processors, the government says.... Read More
For any farmer, focusing on learning and development allows them to continuously improve in a vast amount of areas. As agriculture evolves, so do agronomic practices, risk management tools, and technological advancements. By constantly learning and expanding their skillset, farmers can identify new opportunities, increase profitability, and productivity. Developing new skills can also improve problem-solving... Read More
If a farm has the capacity to buy land, it's often stymied by the lack of land for purchase, not an unwillingness to take on the work or the debt. It's still surprising to learn that about 40 per cent of land being farmed in Canada is being rented, according to Farm Credit Canada (FCC).... Read More
Farm Credit Canada’s (FCC) Sustainability Incentive Program is open to applicants in partnership with the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) and McCain Foods. The program pays out incentive payments calculated on a portion of a customer’s lending with FCC if they are also participating in specific certification programs, including the CRSB certification initiative and... Read More
With crop input purchases adding up in spring, some farmers that rely on the federal government's Advance Payments Program for cash flow have inquired whether the federal public service strike will affect the short-term loan program. The cash advance program is administered by 30, third-party producer organizations, so the strike is not having any direct... Read More