Reading Time: 4 minutes There’s been a “very dramatic” spike in applications for cash advances since Ottawa upped the amount farmers can borrow against crops in their bins. “We’ve had probably an extra 500 applications this year, and it’s not just new producers to the program — it’s also increased usage of the program by our existing customers,” said […] Read more
Cash advances take a ‘very dramatic’ jump, say administrators
Farmers can now borrow more against crops in their bins, and that’s what they’re doing
Farmers to be paid for ILTA Grain deliveries
Reading Time: < 1 minute Eligible producers who were not paid for grain delivered to ILTA Grain Inc. will be fully compensated through the Canadian Grain Commission’s Safeguards for Grain Farmers Program. The Saskatchewan-based pulse and canary seed buyer and exporter was put under creditor protection in July, defaulting on amounts owed to grain farmers for unpaid deliveries. The grain […] Read more
Cannabis 2.0: Could craft cannabis be southern Alberta’s newest cash crop?
A new 60-acre business incubator in Taber aims to create a complete supply chain for craft cannabis and hemp products
Reading Time: 6 minutes Cannabis 2.0 is coming soon to Canada — and one Alberta business hopes to be on the ground floor of this growing industry. “We’re trying to reduce the risk and eliminate the barriers of entry that many people are having trying to get into the cannabis business,” said Lindsay Blackett, CEO of the Grasslands Taber […] Read more
Trade deal hailed by Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association is hailing the completion of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement and encouraging its swift ratification. “The experience of the North American beef cattle industries under NAFTA is testament to the value of trade agreements,” it said. “Access to global markets, including the North American market, means that on average that each animal […] Read more
Opinion: When it comes to rules, it matters who writes them
Reading Time: 4 minutes I recently read The Myth of Capitalism where author Jonathan Tepper argues that if competition is a key tenet of capitalism, then it’s a myth to say the 21st-century economy is capitalistic. Many industries lack true competition and are dominated by monopolies and oligopolies, allowing them to charge higher prices and pay lower wages. One […] Read more
Certificate needed to avoid carbon tax on fuel
Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Beef Producers is urging farmers to fill out a fuel charge exemption form before Jan. 1, when the federal carbon tax kicks in for the province. The carbon tax (officially called the Federal Fuel Charge) isn’t levied on gasoline and light fuel oil for farm machinery “for the purpose of farming or travelling from […] Read more
Finance and succession help for younger farmers
Reading Time: < 1 minute Farm Credit Canada is putting on a series of events for younger farmers so they can learn how “to take control of their business journey.” Eight “young farmer summits” for producers under the age of 40 are being held across the country, including two in Alberta. “The future of Canadian agriculture depends on attracting the […] Read more
AFSC offers help for farmer clients
Reading Time: < 1 minute Agriculture Financial Services Corporation says there are “a number of options available to help clients with cash flow challenges” because of the poor growing season and dismal harvest. “This year, eligible clients can take advantage of a Post-Harvest Advance or a Preliminary Payment, and receive a portion of their estimated claim as an early payment, […] Read more
Consider carrying costs when marketing canola
The current futures market is in a strong carrying charge situation, says analyst
Reading Time: 3 minutes With a large canola carry-over and the uncertain China situation, producers need to consider carrying costs when marketing the crop, says a provincial crop market analyst Given the large inventory and currently restricted demand, the canola futures market is in a strong carrying charge situation, said Neil Blue. The futures market is priced significantly higher […] Read more
Modern farming produces a bumper crop of worries
More than 1,300 farmers were asked about their top concerns — and it’s a long list
Reading Time: 2 minutes What’s your biggest worry? Weather? Yield? Disease or pests? It’s actually selling what you produce, according to a recent Farm Credit Canada survey. The survey asked 1,363 producers about their major concerns and 67 per cent had marketing on their worry list — topping both production (60 per cent) and financial (53 per cent) risks. […] Read more
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