One of the questions on every producers mind is, "How long can these prices continue?" Looking at the demand side, we don't see any real indication beside the seasonal dips that regularly occur. On the skeptical side however, whenever we have an extended run like this we have a tendency to wait for the other... Read More
Category: Features
It wasn't that long ago that I was complaining to everyone who would listen about how sick I was of writing about the wet weather and flooding. No doubt, not as sick as producers were of working in it, but that was a pretty depressing stretch for all involved. Let's hope drought isn't the next... Read More
For farmers looking for a different weather story than last year's, you might be out of luck. Although most of us know that there is no sure-fire, 100% accurate weather forecast, the spring and summer forecast for Ontario doesn't look all that encouraging. According to meteorologist Art Douglas, a short growing season due to moisture... Read More
Through the January farm show season I continued to run into people that said to me that they were getting a Blackberry Playbook or had just bought one. Whether its the $200 price point or the the increased interest in tablets, it seems to me that the Blackberry Playbook finally has some appeal. It would... Read More
Of all of the aspects of a business that have to be managed, human resources can be the most challenging. The needs and the dynamics involved in managing human resources are unique to every business and have to evolve as a business grows and changes. For many farmers human resources can suck the life out... Read More
When it comes to succession planning, one of the most difficult things to do may be just getting the conversation started. No other topic can get defences up, arouse suspicions or cause divisions like the topic of succession if it's not handled correctly. Having a pure business discussion with your parents or kids easily crosses... Read More
Considering some of the conditions during planting last year, the provincial average yield for soybeans was fairly impressive. If we can get 45 bushels last year, what is the real long term potential of soybean yields? What factors can we look at to bump those yields even higher. It has been reported that a grower... Read More
By all standards it appears that FarmTech 2012 was an incredible success. The event, which ran from January 24th to the 26th was sold out, with producers and industry members gathering to hear from an wide array of speakers who ran the gamut from industry expert to army general to comedian. Another reason this years... Read More
If a person were to describe the overall mood of this year's NCBA Conference, it would be descibed as price bullish and margin bearish. As we have mentioned before, it's a cautious optimism for feeders and packers, which comes with a recognition of the volatility that producers have gone through and are also facing in... Read More
With the exception of a few soaked areas, spring planting, even though late, and the early spring growing season went pretty well in Ontario in 2011. In general, crops progressed nicely through what could have been a real mess and there were some fairly decent yields to be seen across the province. So what can... Read More