Farmers are known for their independent, get 'er done mentality, and seemingly endless energy for putting in the required work to get those things done. But no farmer truly works alone — whether it's an agronomist, a marketing pro, or an equipment technician, most farmers know it takes a team of professionals to keep a... Read More
Category: Poll
There are those that say if you talk about something enough, it's more likely to happen. If that's the case, you can blame Kelvin Heppner for the rate of inflation and perhaps Shaun Haney for the fact that you can't lock down enough glyphosate for the spring. While I'm mostly kidding, both supply chain disruption... Read More
It's widely speculated that the Bank of Canada is set to increase its interest rate beginning later this month, and likely will do so more than a few times over the course of 2022. While you can argue the validity of using interest rates to temper inflation, there's no doubt that Canada — and the... Read More
A new year can bring a clean slate, a fresh start, and with it some encouragement to improve ourselves, our businesses, and our habits. Beyond the usual lose-20-pounds (hello, COVID weight), or eat more vegetables, let's take setting out New Year's resolutions a step further to the farm business itself. Whether it's getting a better... Read More
The news is not good this fall. The rising cost of food and housing is eclipsed by the rising cost of energy both here and abroad. Supply chains are disrupted, and global supplies of everything from electronic chips to dishwashers is uncertain. In the face of it all, farmers are having to make decisions regarding... Read More
Whether we plan to or not, we learn something new every growing season. Some learning is required, as on-the-spot breakdowns or problems arise. Other times, a farm conference or show is so full of informative presentations and knowledgable people that just attending can make your brain feel over-full. But have you ever planned out learning... Read More
As Canadians gather (in small groups) for Thanksgiving this weekend, several arguments are sure to happen. No, we don't mean about COVID restrictions or the outcome of the latest election, we mean the real, hard-hitting debates, such as ham versus turkey, pumpkin versus apple pie, and if cranberry jelly from a can should even be... Read More
What are the risks for the 2022 crop? Weather, of course, is always a factor, but what about the markets? What if we can compared the risks of the market declining, to the possibility of input prices further rising? Margins could be a heck of a lot tighter next year, unless commodity prices make moves... Read More
Rural crime is unfortunately one of those topics that more of us have been impacted by than not. Whether it be through a neighbour, your own farm, or a friend across the country, rural crime happens. Farm specific crime, such as stolen fuel or grain or rustled animals, often ticks up when commodity prices rise.... Read More
December is often a time for reflection of the past year; then January rolls around, and our focus shifts to the upcoming 12 months. For us farmers, it means planning for the growing season. However, we belong to an industry that has so many moving parts and, after all, we all have different goals for... Read More