Reading Time: < 1 minute It’s too soon to say exactly how market volatility in 2017 is going to play out, but Errol Anderson has some tips to manage whatever the markets throw at you in the coming year. Strong Futures-Strong Basis What should you do? “Price it. It’s tough to do because, at that point, everybody is bullish. But […] Read more
Tips for managing market volatility in 2017
The future looks dangerous, says market watcher
Central banks have created an economic bubble and when it bursts, demand for everything will screech to a halt
Reading Time: 5 minutes Errol Anderson’s opinion on the global economic downturn isn’t one you’ll read in too many newspapers. “I’m going to make a bold statement: We are at the end of an 80-year capitalistic cycle that has already been prolonged 10 years by central bank manipulation. It has to be refreshed, and it will be,” said Anderson, […] Read more
Ross scholarship winners chosen
Reading Time: < 1 minute Two Ontario producers are this year’s winners of the Robert L. Ross Memorial Scholarship, allowing them to attend the CTEAM program. CTEAM stands for Canadian Total Excellence in Agricultural Management and is managed by Agri-Food Management Excellence. During the program, farmers learn detailed financial, marketing and human relations management skills, using their own operation as […] Read more
Tips on securing business financing
Reading Time: < 1 minute Understanding how a lender evaluates your application can help you be successful when applying for financing. To help with this, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a new fact sheet entitled Get the Loan You Need. “This information will help give business owners an edge in securing the financing they need to develop their business,” said […] Read more
Deadline extended for cash advances
Applications will be accepted until March 2017
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farmers unable to harvest their 2016 crops may be eligible for a cash advance under a revised application deadline. The Canadian Canola Growers Association will accept new seeded cash advance applications until March 2017. “This deadline change applies equally to farmers already enrolled in the 2016 program, as well as those who are applying for […] 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
Take these tips to the bank the next time you need a loan
When deciding whether to approve financing, lenders will look at the four Ms — money, markets, materials, and management
Reading Time: 3 minutes If you want to build a bad relationship with your banker, buy your combine on your credit card. “They hate that,” deadpanned Trish Booy, agriculture business development manager at BMO. “There’s a very big difference between short-term financing and long-term financing. Depending on where you are and what you’re going through, your financing needs are […] Read more
A new way to pass on the farm that may let you sleep easier
An intercorporate loan can protect retirement income, give the successor more control, and take care of non-farming children
Reading Time: 4 minutes [Updated: Dec. 12, 2016] – Merle Good has a new piece of estate planning advice for Canadian producers: “Create a damn shareholder’s loan.” “This isn’t a new idea, but it isn’t done as frequently as it should be,” said the farm business management expert. “This strategy allows us to do a lot of neat things […] Read more
Drought-hit tax deferral zones named
In some areas, this is the second year in a row where a lack of feed forced the sale of breeding stock
Reading Time: 2 minutes The federal government is offering ranchers in parts of Alberta hit by drought deferrals on their 2016 income tax from breeding livestock sales. The areas include Clearwater, Lethbridge, Mountain View, Red Deer, Rocky View, Vulcan and Wheatland counties; the municipal districts of Bighorn, Foothills, Pincher Creek, Ranchland and Willow Creek; the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass; […] Read more
Some landowners wrongly billed for power
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Farmers’ Advocate Office (FAO) is warning landowners to watch their electricity bills if they have surface leases with insolvent companies. EPCOR has collected payment from landowners for providing three-phase electric power to a surface lease after an oil and gas company became insolvent. The company relied on a clause in its service agreement where […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
