Brenda Schoepp

Reading Time: 3 minutes My friend Ewan and I were sitting together as we travelled from the headquarters of the Hassad Group through the Qatari desert to their farming operations. Hassad has a sole vision of food security for the nation of Qatar, and their reach is global in context. Their mission is, “To own, develop and operate efficient, […] Read more

From the hip One of the greatest gifts to our youth 
will be the skills to survive financially

Reading Time: 4 minutes Empowering means to enable, liberate, engage, free and permit. It is the drawing out of the very best in a person without the constraints of expectation or entitlement. It is the inside growth of a human being that gives them the power and the drive to change their life, succeed in school and business, to […] Read more

Reading Time: 4 minutes Afew weeks ago I watched in horror as my husband was attacked and rolled by a cow. It was unexpected in our herd, but a new cow in a new place can result in some fear. It is in those moments when time stands still and you fail to believe your eyes. The same week […] Read more

When government interferes in the free market, farmers get 
hurt and the poor see no change in their fortunes

Reading Time: 3 minutes Iwas recently travelling in Argentina, a land of intense possibilities. Running from the Tropic of Capricorn to the end of the earth, Argentina has soil and climate suitable for a wide variety of crops. In the subtropical northwest, cattle, goats, sugar cane, wine, avocados, tobacco, citrus fruits and olives are produced. The arid central Andes […] Read more

Reading Time: 4 minutes This is an interesting point in history as the world becomes urbanized and agriculture faces a critical loss of labour and investment in the farm. Case studies around the world support the absolute need for solutions to agricultural employment. In the EU, labour shortages and retirement (only seven per cent of farmers are under 35) […] Read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Calgary Herald ran the story on the front page and it was not about politics, religion or tragedy. The story was about the Calgary Co-op’s members’ non-binding resolution for management to consider phasing out the purchasing of pork and eggs produced in confinement cages. This reflects what some Calgary Co-op consumers have been asking […] Read more

Reading Time: 3 minutes The Calgary Herald ran the story on the front page and it was not about politics, religion or tragedy. The story was about the Calgary Co-op’s members’ non-binding resolution for management to consider phasing out the purchasing of pork and eggs produced in confinement cages. This reflects what some Calgary Co-op consumers have been asking […] Read more

Food production is the foundation of all societies and we need policies that support entrepreneurs and sustainability

Reading Time: 3 minutes Enabling policy is the backbone of any successful economy because it allows for creative, innovative ideas to grow and thrive. Enabling policy includes domestic and foreign policy that supports entrepreneurs and sustainability in established business. In my view, it is measured in terms of a healthy and educated middle class, lively rural communities, and an […] Read more

Preparation As we head into spring, a review of some 
of the basic principles and terms of marketing

Reading Time: 4 minutes Recently I have had a few calls on the basics of cattle marketing. As we head into the spring market and the backgrounded calves sell, it is timely to review the basic principles of marketing and to go over the terms. In all the examples, the cattle are sold direct or through the electronic auction. […] Read more