Reading Time: 3 minutes This January I went on a much-anticipated trip to Maui with my wife. Twenty years ago, we committed to spending the rest of our lives together and thought this was a good way to celebrate such a milestone (sans children, of course!). One month prior to this celebration, I was over the Indian Ocean heading to […] Read more
Strong, enduring relationships don’t happen by accident
The reaction of customers to hearing a farmer’s story shows the importance of having producers on crop missions
Judge free trade by what we have lost
Farmers’ share of food profits has declined as has rural Canada’s economy, while farm debt and food imports have gone up
Reading Time: 3 minutes Over the decades since the Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and later, NAFTA, was signed, Canadian agriculture has undergone a significant shift. There was once a multitude of diverse local and regional economic drivers, but now we have a “one-size-fits-all” export-driven, low-priced commodity production model. Farm capital needs have skyrocketed as illustrated by the massive […] Read more
Here are some emerging trends that we need to pay attention to
The development of meat alternatives, stores without checkouts, and Career Farmer Barbie are all important
Reading Time: 3 minutes When one of the largest meat-processing companies in the world announces focused research into the development of alternative proteins, I’m paying attention. Tyson’s allocation of US$150 million to a venture capital fund to research meat alternatives allows us a glimpse into the future of traditional meat and poultry protein sources. The idea is not new […] Read more
Keeping land in grass has a side benefit
Young beef producers need affordable access to grassland if the industry is going to grow
Reading Time: 2 minutes The beef industry has been struggling to retain and attract new producers while the average age of farmers, at 54, keeps creeping up. The next generation of cattle producers might be looking for something different. The Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB) released the National Beef Sustainability Assessment and Strategy this fall. The industry garnered […] Read more
The meaning of sustainability depends on your point of view
When you talk about sustainable agriculture, you need to look not just at the farm but what is happening all around it
Reading Time: 4 minutes Redefining sustainability Battered about like a mariner’s ship at sea, the “sustainable” world is getting frayed at the edges. It leaks the slow leak, one that was built in agriculture on the idealism of creating a pathway to consumers but rested on that assurance without producer reward. Certainly, the journey is worth examining as we […] Read more
In times of hardship, take time to consider all of your riches
The love of your children, support of family and friends, and faith are priceless treasures to be cherished
Reading Time: 3 minutes I am admiring the picture on the cover of Alexander McCall Smith’s book The Full Cupboard of Life. His fictitious stories from Botswana are an easy and humorous read. The cupboard referred to is typical; containing four plates and four cups, two bowls, a couple of pots, a little cooking oil, and a teapot. That’s […] Read more
Small indulgences — the experience of food can be priceless
In the food business, less can be more if you understand your customer and the emotional side of food buying
Reading Time: 3 minutes I remember a story from years ago about a family-owned ice-cream shop in a small town. Folks came from long distances for ice cream because it was so delicious. Yet, the customer had one constant complaint — there was too much ice cream in the cone! The owners of that shop decided to listen to […] Read more
Looking for an opportunity in livestock? Bison have a lot to offer
This mighty Prairie ruminant is the complete package when it comes to meeting demand for grass-fed, all-natural meat that comes with a great story
Reading Time: 3 minutes One of the most interesting animals in North America is bison. A ruminant that used to wander our Prairies in the millions has been reduced to around 500,000 head, many in pens on farms. Rugged and remarkable, these ‘knowledge keepers’ have much to teach us about nature itself. Bison love space and they travel as […] Read more
Take another look at organic — and consider taking the plunge
Reading Time: 3 minutes Over the past couple of years, I have been developing and promoting new marketing tools to help farmers prove the concept of sustainability to consumers, and to use that to their advantage in pricing. Most recently, my efforts have targeted helping those transitioning into organic. I have always been honest and unbiased in my work […] Read more
New Crop Missions deliver many benefits
The unique collaboration between the grain commission, Cigi, and farmers is more than just a marketing effort
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Canadian cereals industry is united in reaching out to international customers. The 2016 Canadian Wheat New Crop Missions sessions kicked off on Nov. 10 with a seminar for Canadian millers, the largest buyer of Canadian wheat. By the time the missions are over later this month, they will have reached customers in 17 countries in […] Read more
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