This week I was reading themonthly edition of the Synthesis - Network E-Newsletter and I was intrigued. Not only was it the first list for what will happen in 2011 in agriculture, but it also was quite good. In the list Rob Hannam and his team covered sustainability, cattle markets and economic volatiliity. This is... Read More
Category: Western Canada
By Dick Haney Whether You are Entering or Exiting a Business as General Manager, Timing is Everything. “You got to know when to hold’em, know when to fold’em, know when to walk away, know when to run.” Probably many of you have identified these words as part of a song written by Kenny Rogers called... Read More
In November Syngenta celebrated its 10 year anniversary. I’ve been President for nine of those years, and have seen first hand the rapid pace of change taking place across the agricultural landscape in Canada. And change, while often feared, can be a good thing – it can bring with it opportunity. Since 2000, the Canadian... Read More
In Western Canada, canola is the talk of the town at every coffee shop. Farmers are booking canola seed at a rapid pace to ensure they have seed to plant in 2011. It would be even more interesting to know for the seed that has been bought, has a higher amount of the commodity crop... Read More
Across North America everyone is talking about the bullish tone of corn and soybeans. Is wheat going to be the weaker sister in 2011? How much higher will the wheat price have to go to buy some acres back from corn, soybeans, canola and lentils. Some farmers and analysts are even saying that the attention... Read More
By Dick Haney We are living in the real time information age, and it is providing both challenges and opportunities in our businesses, but most importantly it is affecting how we make decisions. This change has arrived with the force of a tsunami and it is invading our workplace from all directions. These changes are... Read More
You can look at volatility in two ways. Volatility in the cattle markets means that you may be exposed to risk that you did not plan for. For example, earlier this decade when the CDN dollar moved from the low 70's to par in a violent upward fashion which caught many people off guard. The... Read More
By Shaun Haney We hear a lot nowadays about value chains, the integrated food system and the farmers incredibly important role in it. How many time have you heard the term, "Gate to Plate?" I can buy into this concept as long as all participants are getting a fair return for their investment in the... Read More
Corn is the story that keeps on telling. With USDA revising yields and ending stocks lower in the US, the farmers with decent yields have enjoyed some great returns this year. I have even seen some corn acre forecasts for 2011 being discussed on CNBC's Squawk Box. When there is this much hype and we... Read More
< p style="text-align: center;"> You Need to Be Concerned About Bill 36 - The Land Stewardship Act By Shaun Haney I have to admit that I have missed the boat on this one. I have been hearing many different people talk about the Land Stewardship Act and why as a farmer you should be concerned... Read More