Reading Time: < 1 minute The 2018 versions of Cropping Alternatives and the new Crop Budget Calculator tool are now available. They allow producers to project costs, margins, and break-even yields for potential crops. Cropping Alternatives “forecasts margins based on benchmark yields, current cost of production, expected revenues, and costs by soil zone. With this information producers can get an […] Read more
New cropping business tools available
What was the real bottom line on your farm in 2017?
Cash accounting can save you taxes, but it doesn’t give you a true picture of profitability
Reading Time: 2 minutes Was your farm profitable in 2017? Now is the time to find out by converting cash statements to accrual income and expenses statements, says a provincial farm financial specialist. “The majority of farms still report their incomes and expenses on a cash basis via their annual income tax returns with the goal of avoiding or […] Read more
Online tools for reducing worker turnover
Calculator estimates costs of replacing employees while benchmarking tool allows for comparisons by sector or province
Reading Time: < 1 minute Did you know that the cost of replacing a single worker can be as much as 150 per cent of their annual salary? Do you know what your turnover costs are? ‘Turnover’ is the rate at which workers leave and are replaced on your farm, something that can have a major impact on productivity and […] Read more
Superclusters: Creating a silicon valley for agriculture and food
Two proposals from Western Canada are vying for backing in Ottawa’s bid to put Canada at the front of the new economy
Reading Time: 6 minutes So what would you rather have — new lucrative ‘plant protein’ markets or a way to turn Big Data into bigger profits? Those are the goals of the two agriculture and agri-food proposals vying for a slice of $950 million of federal cash that Ottawa will spend on ‘superclusters’ — business-led collaborations that aim to […] Read more
More temporary foreign workers needed, says CCA
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association wants the federal government to make changes to the temporary foreign worker program to address the shortage of labour. “Cattle producers and beef processors are struggling to find enough workers, and straining to deal with the impacts of job vacancies on production,” the association said in a recent newsletter. It cites […] Read more
Fertilizer producer Nutrien to keep Saskatchewan base, says Wall
Winnipeg | Reuters – Nutrien Ltd, the fertilizer company formed this week by a merger of Potash Corp of Saskatchewan and Agrium, has committed to establishing its head office in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and increasing corporate office jobs there, Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall said on Thursday. Wall said that in recent meetings, Nutrien’s […] Read more
Long-running cattle checkoff battle may be coming to an end
An agreement on an industry development fund is key to a tentative deal between Alberta Beef Producers and cattle feeders
Reading Time: 3 minutes It’s not finalized yet, but the organizations representing cattle producers and feeders say they’re close to creating a fund to advance the province’s beef sector — and ending a nearly decade-long checkoff. “The Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund is a concept that would be able to be implemented with a non-refundable service charge,” said Rich […] Read more
How will federal tax changes affect you?
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta’s canola, wheat, barley, and pulse commissions are hosting a free breakfast at Agri-Trade on Nov. 9. at the Sheraton Hotel. Also on the menu will be a presentation on the federal Liberals’ proposed tax changes and the potential impact on farmers by Dean Gallimore, a retired partner from KPMG LLP in Lethbridge. Gallimore spent […] Read more
AgSafe Alberta offering free safety programs for farmers
New producer-run organization has free advisers who can make visits to help you improve farm safety
Reading Time: 2 minutes Newly formed AgSafe Alberta now has boots on the ground, says extension co-ordinator Donna Trottier. “There are a couple of things that we want farmers out there to know,” she said at the recent Canadian Agricultural Safety Association conference. “We have three advisers who are available to come out to your farm and help introduce […] Read more
Farmers markets a ‘business incubator’
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers markets can give businesses the opportunity to test market their products and grow their businesses with less expense, says a provincial marketing specialist. “Farmers markets have always been seen as a business incubator where new businesses can start selling direct to consumers,” said Eileen Kotowich. “They get that immediate feedback and learn quickly how […] Read more
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