Reading Time: 3 minutes As we enter another growing season, farmers are raising concerns over the federal government’s intention to review the option to defer cash purchase tickets — something that came with no warning prior to its mention in the federal budget. From where I sit, a mid-size incorporated family grain farm, we know that the reversal of […] Read more
Farmers can grow the Canadian economy — if they’re not shackled
Removing a tool that allows grain farmers to even out their income would hamper their ability to invest in and expand their operations
Cash is your best bet when buying machinery
If you're going to 'run the hell out of your equipment,' lease it
Reading Time: 4 minutes When you sit down across a desk from your equipment dealer, you’re out to get the best deal you can — and your dealer is out to make a profit. So how can you keep more jingle in your own jeans? “It doesn’t matter if you pay cash, you finance it, or you lease it,” […] Read more
Don’t let that pretty quarter section turn your head
Spring is a busy time for farmland sales, but make sure you don’t wind up with buyer’s regret
Reading Time: < 1 minute Spring is a prime time for buying land, but don’t rush into a purchase, says a provincial farm financial specialist. “With farmland prices continuing to appreciate, a well-researched financial and ownership plan will guard against ill-prepared land purchases,” said Rick Dehod. “So do your homework before making a final decision.” Read more: FCC sees increase […] Read more
Will agriculture and food processing finally take centre stage?
A new report says these two sectors are key to Canada’s future prosperity — and that recognition is a welcome development
Reading Time: 3 minutes A recent report from the Advisory Council on Economic Growth highlighted agriculture and food processing as keys to economic growth in Canada. The advisory council called on Ottawa to create a growth strategy for what it calls “agfood,” which it defines as everything from “field to fork.” Its report says that could generate another US$30 […] Read more
Prairies could be plant-based protein superpower
Protein Innovations Canada aiming to make Western Canada the world’s ‘leading source of high-quality proteins’
Reading Time: 4 minutes Allison Ammeter doesn’t understand why there isn’t more domestic pulse processing on the Canadian Prairies. “As a farmer, I’m really proud of the fact that I grow good, safe food that’s enjoyed around the world,” said the past chair of Alberta Pulse Growers, who farms near Sylvan Lake. “But it’s always really ticked me off […] Read more
Alberta Wheat fighting to keep tax deferral
Ottawa is missing the point when it says grain farmers shouldn’t get a special tax break, says Alberta Wheat chair Kevin Auch
Reading Time: 3 minutes A tax break for grain farmers that Ottawa is considering taking away is deserved and benefits the entire grain sector, says the chair of the Alberta Wheat Commission. “I guess we are asking for special tax treatment but it’s because of our special circumstances,” said Kevin Auch. Following its recent budget, the federal government said […] Read more
Canola ripples felt widely through the Alberta and Canadian economies
The crop now contributes $26.7 billion a year to the Canadian economy, with a quarter of that in Alberta
Reading Time: 2 minutes Like a rock thrown in a lake creates ripples on shore, a new study shows the canola sector’s impact is growing large, causing ripples to turn to waves. Canola’s contribution to the Canadian economy has tripled over the past decade to $26.7 billion a year, according to an independent analysis done for the Canola Council […] Read more
Pulse sector roiled by India’s fumigation edict
Science says our pulses are safe — but industry officials are preparing a Plan B if India won’t back down
Reading Time: 4 minutes The clock is ticking on whether Indian officials will reverse an edict requiring Canadian pulse shipments to be fumigated at the port of origin rather than at their destination. Federal Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay and a delegation from Pulse Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency were in India at the beginning of March to […] Read more
Free trade deal with China worth billions, says canola council
Deal could up canola oil, seed, and meal sales to China by $1.2 billion a year and create 33,000 new jobs, says organization
Reading Time: 2 minutes The canola sector is welcoming Ottawa’s move to begin discussions on a free trade agreement with China. A free trade deal with China could create 33,000 additional jobs in Canada from increased exports of canola alone, said the Canola Council of Canada, which commissioned an independent analysis on that subject. “Freer trade with China would […] Read more
Can your farm operation withstand ‘lean years?’
Debt-fuelled expansion during good times can put a farm at risk when times get tough
Reading Time: 2 minutes Solvency is one of the key measures when it comes to gauging financial management of a farm. “Financial risk can be broken down into three main financial management parameters — solvency, liquidity, and profitability,” said provincial farm finance specialist Rick Dehod. “Once the measure within each of these three financial parameters has been assessed, the […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
