Frankfurt | Reuters — German drug and crop chemical maker Bayer and U.S. seeds company Monsanto are launching asset sales worth roughly US$2.5 billion as they seek regulatory clearance for their US$66 billion merger, people close to the matter said. To kick off an auction process, Bayer’s advisors will send out information packages next week […] Read more
Bayer, Monsanto start asset sale toward merger clearance
The 2017 fire season has begun
Reading Time: < 1 minute The wildfire season begins March 1 and the province is warning Albertans to be extra careful to help prevent wildfires in forested areas. More than 60 per cent of the wildfires last year were caused by human activity. Last year, 1,338 wildfires burned more than 611,000 hectares, including the Horse River wildfire that spread into […] Read more
Doubt about global warming isn’t coming from scientists
It’s not hard to create doubt about sound science — the tobacco industry proved that years ago
Reading Time: 3 minutes Several years ago, Weather Underground’s co-founder Jeff Masters wrote a blog about the manufactured doubt industry, how and when it was created, and how it now plays into the current global warming or climate change controversy. At the time I emailed Masters asking permission to use some of the information from his blog in an […] Read more
CCGA cash advance applications out early
Among other changes to the program, applications are available earlier this year for spring cash advances through the Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA). The CCGA on Thursday announced it’s now accepting applications for the 2017-18 advance payments program (APP), which offers cash advances on 45 different crop and livestock commodities. The CCGA is the administrative […] 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
Online tool gives snapshot of farm’s fiscal health
Analyzer uses eight numbers from the year-end balance sheet to quickly produce 11 key financial ratios linked to industry benchmarks
Reading Time: 2 minutes To help producers be aware of the ratios for their farm businesses, Alberta Agriculture and Forestry has a decision-making tool called the ABA Simple Farm Ratio Analyzer. Start with your year-end net worth statement (the balance sheet for 2016), which is also your opening net worth statement for 2017, said farm finance specialist Rick Dehod. […] Read more
The lowdown on solar and wind leases
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Farmers’ Advocate Office has released a new publication titled Negotiating Renewable Energy Leases. “The FAO has been seeing an increase in the number of calls about negotiating wind and solar leases,” said spokesperson Jeana Schuurman. The publication covers some key differences between wind and solar leases and those for oil and gas. Since wind […] Read more
Greek farmers clash with police in Athens during reforms protest
Athens | Reuters — Greek farmers clashed with police in central Athens on Wednesday when a protest against tax and pension reforms mandated by the country’s multi-billion-euro bailout turned violent. About 1,300 farmers who had arrived in Athens from the island of Crete overnight headed to the agriculture ministry, which was sealed off by police […] Read more
Have your say on employment standards and labour relations regulations
Two reports — one for employment standards, one for labour relations — will be available for public comment until April 3
Reading Time: 2 minutes Alberta farmers have asked to have their say on proposed new workplace safety rules — and the provincial government says they will now have their chance. The NDP government is asking Albertans to give their views on two reports on proposed employment standards and labour relations recommendations. Feedback will be accepted until April 3 online, […] Read more
ChemChina says Syngenta deal filing accepted by Beijing
Beijing | Reuters –– ChemChina said Monday that Beijing had accepted its application for regulatory approval of its US$43 billion takeover of Syngenta last month. Earlier Gao Hucheng, who retired as commerce minister less than two weeks ago, said the government had not received a formal filing for China’s largest overseas acquisition. Speaking to Reuters […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
