Reading Time: 3 minutes In 2014, I published a detailed report on the development of mentorship programs for women in agriculture from a global perspective. This report (which can be found at brendaschoepp.com) has since given flight to a number of global study topics with other Nuffield Scholars. Recently, a report in Alberta published by the Agriculture & Food […] Read more
Better credit risk, smaller loan
It’s not just that women get turned down for loans more often, but that too many aren’t getting a proper financial education
Prince Rupert needs to be part of rail transport revamp
Expanding the northern B.C. port should be a key part of $10.1-billion plan to improve transportation
Reading Time: 3 minutes The Port of Prince Rupert should be a major beneficiary of Ottawa’s $10.1-billion pledge to revamp transportation routes to international markets, says one of the world’s biggest pulse exporters. “Prince Rupert is a major opportunity — when we look at Pacific gateway access, we need a balanced approach between Vancouver and the Port of Prince […] Read more
AgriProfit$ program gets upgrades
Reading Time: < 1 minute The latest version of the AgriProfit$ program offers improved reports and faster report turnaround times. Producers who sign up and submit production cost data receive a customized farm business analysis. The program is now moving to digital data collection, so reports will be ready shortly after completing the survey with program interviewers. Reports will also […] Read more
Alberta landowner backed by Surface Rights Board
Reading Time: < 1 minute A recent Surface Rights Board decision has ruled against a unilateral reduction of surface lease rentals in Alberta. In the case, an energy company argued, “We only pay for leases with active wells on them.” The panel disagreed, saying, “Payment of compensation is not at the discretion of the operator.” Under surface lease agreements, lessors […] Read more
B.C. farmers learned to live with a carbon tax
Reading Time: < 1 minute B.C.’s carbon tax didn’t make its farmers less competitive, says a carbon tax expert. Brandon Schaufele studied its effect on agricultural trade for 12 different commodities and found the competitiveness of B.C. products wasn’t reduced. “There was very little evidence that the carbon taxes impacted trade at all,” said the assistant professor at the Ivey […] Read more
Wheat commission wants rail transport changes
The farm group says reciprocal penalties, a revenue cap, and more interswitching are needed to level the playing field in grain transportation
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Alberta Wheat Commission is calling on Ottawa to make reciprocal penalties part of any changes to the Canada Transportation Act. In a submission to Transport Minister Marc Garneau, the commission urges the government to implement a model that would provide shippers the ability to negotiate penalties and contract terms equal to those that are […] Read more
Oil lease defaults hit new record
Landowner compensation claims more than doubled last year and have already doubled again this year
Reading Time: 3 minutes For the second year in a row, the number of claims against oil companies defaulting on rental agreements has smashed records. Under Section 36 of the Surface Rights Act, landowners can apply for compensation from the provincial government if an oil company hasn’t paid their surface rental lease. From 2003 to 2014, the board has […] Read more
Farm debt at record highs — but top lender not worried
While FCC says most farmers can handle their debt load, financial expert Merle Good says some are ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farm debt has hit a record high, bringing back some unpleasant memories of the 1980s debt crisis. But we’re not there yet, said farm business expert Merle Good. “In 1980, we had huge inflation and huge interest rates,” said Good, a longtime tax specialist with the provincial government who now runs a private consulting business. […] Read more
Don’t leave money on the table, says marketing expert
Boosting production with good management is great, but catching an uptick in the market can make you more money
Reading Time: 4 minutes Beef producers, if you don’t have a marketing plan — get one. That’s the simple advice from Ryan Copithorne, who founded Cows In Control after his realizing “a proper marketing program was actually the best way to keep a year’s or a lifetime’s worth of hard work from going down the drain.” Having previously managed […] Read more
Last chance to comment on producer car rules
The Canadian Grain Commission is looking to license producer car loading facilities
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Canadian Grain Commission is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the licensing of some groups in the grain industry. If a grain-handling operation meets the definition of an elevator or grain dealer under the Canada Grain Act, it must be either licensed or exempted by the grain commission. Licensing implies that a bond or […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
