Reading Time: < 1 minute Alberta Advanced Education has granted its approval to Lethbridge College’s Agriculture Business Risk Management (AgBRM) certificate program. The program was launched a year ago, and those completing it were initially awarded a credential of academic achievement. The provincial certificate approval provides a variety of benefits, including making students eligible for student loans. The program was […] Read more
Agriculture risk management program approved
AgCoalition hosting workplace safety meetings for farmers
Alliance of farm groups wants the views of farmers and their employees to be heard by the province
Reading Time: < 1 minute The AgCoalition will host three meetings across Alberta this month to engage farmers, ranchers and their employees on farm and ranch safety-related subject matter. The meetings are intended to gather input and strengthen the producer voice in preparation for the provincial government’s consultation sessions. The province has set up six groups to advise it on […] Read more
Business training funds available
Reading Time: < 1 minute The Business Management Skills Development Program, has recently undergone a few minor changes, including a revised application form. The program helps producers, agri-processing companies, and agricultural organizations, and improves their business management skills. Funding is available for courses or programs that are focused on business management skills and training — including marketing, productivity, financial management, […] Read more
Bill 6 jump-starts important conversations about farm safety
The FarmSafe program offers a step-by-step guide to create a safety plan tailored to your farm
Reading Time: 3 minutes For “safety geek” Dan Trottier, Bill 6 was the shot in the arm that the agriculture industry needed to start the conversation about farm safety. “Bill 6 raised awareness about safety, and now that we’ve got some awareness, we have the opportunity for extension on how to do safety on the farm,” said Trottier, owner […] Read more
Cattle price insurance premiums up from last year
Increased volatility in the CME cattle futures market makes it more expensive to protect prices
Reading Time: 2 minutes Cattle price insurance for the 2016 calf crop is now available from Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) until May 31, 2016 at a little higher cost than the same time last year. Bruce Viney, risk management specialist at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, says the higher premiums directly reflect a higher level of risk and volatility. […] Read more
Big Blow-Up: Workplace legislation has farmers up in arms
Skimpy consultation and lack of answers upsets Alberta farmers, even those who say the status quo wasn’t acceptable
Reading Time: 6 minutes The NDP government said it just wanted to make farms more safe, but instead ignited a firestorm. But faced with massive outrage and demonstrations from farmers and ranchers to Bill 6, the government backtracked and apologized for what it called “miscommunication.” “Myself, MLAs, ministers, and our premier have all heard from farmers and ranchers who […] Read more
Cow-Calfenomics risk management video series
Reading Time: < 1 minute A video of the beef cow investment session from Cow-Calfenomics risk management series is now available at Alberta Agriculture and Forestry’s website. In the 35-minute video, business development and risk specialist Bruce Viney looks at four areas to consider when evaluating the investment potential of beef cattle. They are: profitability (cost of production and break-evens) […] Read more
Que. pledges reserve to backstop risk management programs
Quebec’s agriculture ministry plans to set up a $300 million reserve fund to backstop any sudden shortfalls in provincial risk management program funds for farmers. Speaking Thursday to the provincial pork producer group, Les Eleveurs de porcs du Quebec, Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis said the province will set up the reserve over the next two […] Read more
Session recordings available from the Cow-Calfenomics risk management series
Reading Time: < 1 minute One of the sessions from the recent Cow-Calfenomics risk management series is now available on Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s web page. The theme of this year’s series was Seizing Opportunity in the Alberta Cow-Calf Sector. The agenda included: Meat and cattle fundamentals for herd planning: opportunities and threats to expanding the cow herd; Linking […] Read more
Tips for managing risk
Know your numbers, get insurance, and market wisely, says expert
Reading Time: 2 minutes Attendees of the farm management seminar received tips on managing risk from Brian Wittal of Pro Com Marketing in Didsbury. Good records Knowing cost of production and break-evens is critical, both for “year-end damage control” if things go south and looking at different scenarios in the future. Record actual yields and average them over several […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
