Reading Time: 2 minutes If you raise a few farm animals or have a plot to grow your own food, you are considered a hobby farmer, rather than a business, and you can’t deduct any expenses or losses. But if you devote the majority of your time to farming by investing in buildings, machinery, and inventories to run the […] Read more
The lowdown on tax filing for farmers
That time of year is coming around again — here are some things to bear in mind as you prepare your tax return
France moves toward all-out ban on neonics
Paris | Reuters — French lawmakers approved plans for a total ban on some widely used pesticides blamed for harming bees, going beyond European Union restrictions in a fierce debate that has pitched farmers and chemical firms against beekeepers and green groups. The EU limited the use of neonicotinoid chemicals, produced by companies including Bayer […] Read more
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to organic crop rotations
Three organic producers share their top tips for building a sustainable crop rotation — no matter what kind of operation you have
Reading Time: 4 minutes Organic crop rotations are “a real ball of wax to deal with,” says veteran organic grower Steven Snider. “There’s so many options out there. I think people would like for me to just tell them what to put in, and that would be nice and simple,” said Snider, who runs an organic grain operation near […] Read more
Australia dumps ‘backpacker tax’ over farm, export concerns
Sydney | Reuters — Australia on Wednesday walked back from a planned tax hike on foreign travellers who work in the country, following concerns from farmers that their supply of “backpacker labour” at harvest times may dry up and undermine Australia’s ambitions of being Asia’s delicatessen. Australian fruit exports are set to hit a record […] Read more
Running on empty? It’s time to set goals for your farm
Working 100 hours a week is ‘a recipe for burnout,’ says American farmer and author who found salvation in scaling back
Reading Time: 3 minutes It takes guts to be a farmer these days. “Farming is an extremely complex business to run, and it takes remarkable courage,” said author Rebecca Thistlethwaite, who farms in Oregon. “It demands an incredible well of passion, a willingness to learn, and ‘stick-to-it-tiveness’ to make it work.” But more and more, farmers are finding that […] Read more
Alberta ag minister promises to work with farm groups
But coalition of farm organizations still waiting to hear details of its role in shaping new workplace regulations
Reading Time: 3 minutes The governmental gears are grinding over who will be at the table for upcoming Bill 6 consultations, but a coalition of farm groups is stuck in “wait and see” mode over what role they’ll play in the shaping of workplace safety regulations. “We had over 50 nomination forms come to the coalition office to be […] Read more
Bill 6 jump-starts important conversations about farm safety
The FarmSafe program offers a step-by-step guide to create a safety plan tailored to your farm
Reading Time: 3 minutes For “safety geek” Dan Trottier, Bill 6 was the shot in the arm that the agriculture industry needed to start the conversation about farm safety. “Bill 6 raised awareness about safety, and now that we’ve got some awareness, we have the opportunity for extension on how to do safety on the farm,” said Trottier, owner […] Read more
The future’s so bright, you gotta wear shades
Reading Time: < 1 minute Peer past the gloom in the oilpatch and Alberta agriculture has a pretty good story to tell. That’s why Paterson Grain is currently building an elevator at Daysland and poised to start construction on another near Innisfail. “Producers in Alberta are some of the best in the world, and the land in Alberta is very […] Read more
Empower your daughters to be great farmers
Understanding one’s abilities, becoming financially literate, and gaining experience outside the farm are all critical
Reading Time: 3 minutes More women own and operate farms and agribusinesses in Canada than ever before. What is it that women need to do to be great farmers and how can farms prepare daughters for the ownership of the family farm? Underlying any business transaction is value. And often, families focus on the value of the capital assets […] Read more
How to keep your kids safe on the farm
Reading Time: < 1 minute The North American Guidelines for Children’s Agricultural Tasks is an excellent resource that parents and caregivers can use to guide decisions about what kinds of farming tasks are age appropriate. These guidelines are intended for children and youth between the ages of seven to 16 and are based on childhood development, agricultural practices, principles of […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
