Reading Time: 2 minutes Another seeding season is within view, but do you know how you fared last year? “Unfortunately, farmers really don’t know if their farm was profitable in 2014,” said Rick Dehod, farm financial specialist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “The majority of farms still reports their incomes and expenses on a cash basis via their […] Read more
Know the real bottom line before heading out to seed
Finance expert says knowing your actual cost of production allows for better decisions on marketing and risk management
In a risky world, your farm needs a plan
Waskatenau producer Don Macyk says managing risk isn’t a fun chore, but it’s one you can’t afford to ignore
Reading Time: 2 minutes Risk management may not be “a real joyful thing to do,” but it’s a necessary evil if you hope to farm successfully, says a longtime central Alberta farmer. “I know in our own business that we go further, faster when there’s good, solid risk management in place,” Don Macyk said at the Feed Coalition workshop […] Read more
Help for managing risk in cattle operations
Modules will range from financial literacy and market cycles to currency and market dynamics
Reading Time: 1 minute Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association has partnered with Lethbridge College to develop a business-risk management curriculum. The programming, available in class, online or in a blended format, will start in fall 2015 as part of the Cor Van Raay Agribusiness Program. “Developing this important curriculum with ACFA and other producer groups will ensure that we are […] Read more
Manitoba seeks more climate-responsive risk management
A Manitoba provincial task force has been set up to seek ways in which farm risk management programs could be “more comprehensive and sustainable” in handling “climate-related challenges” such as floods. “Manitoba’s farmers have told us existing agricultural programs can’t adequately address these climate-related challenges, especially as they become more common,” Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn […] Read more
Alberta Agriculture releases 2014 edition of CropChoice$
The software has 40 dryland and irrigated crops scenarios, and can calculate probabilities for achieving margins
Reading Time: 2 minutes The 2014 edition of CropChoice$ planning tool is now out. “CropChoice$ is a crop budgeting and risk management software program that’s updated every year with recent crop insurance information from AFSC (Agricultural Financial Services Corporation) and projected crop costs,” said Jason Wood, crops economist with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. “It allows farmers to calculate […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
