This week has featured a major debate in farm country regarding the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS), for which regulations are slated to be published this fall in the Canada Gazette. There are many potential outcomes to be excited about regarding the biofuel policy, but there are signifiant concerns from farmers and some farm groups on… Read More
With the appointment of Lianne Rood as the shadow minister of agriculture this week, I think there will be a change in approach regarding agricultural issues between now and an election. Like her predecessor John Barlow, Rood has a strong background in agriculture and an eye on eventually being the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food… Read More
Farm machinery and practices have advanced at an amazing rate over the last one hundred years. Whether it was the move from steel wheels to rubber, the increase in implement width, or the advent of digital technology, farming has changed significantly since many of our families immigrated to Canada many years ago. Just how much… Read More
It was an idea with the best of intentions — to bring the five major Canadian seed-related member organizations together under the banner of Seeds Canada. The idea was to address government and stakeholders with one voice, lower delivery costs for programming, and ensure farmers have access to the world-class genetics they deserve and expect…. Read More
This week there was a small but significant cabinet shuffle that will prove very impactful on how Canada steers through the remaining COVID-19 economic challenges. Chrystia Freeland was sworn in as finance minister after the resignation of Bill Morneau. With such a big change at the most senior levels of the cabinet, it may create… Read More
The pandemic has proved to be challenging for even the trendiest of food brands. Beyond Meat showed it was not immune to the impact of COVID-19 as the company reported its second quarter earnings on Tuesday. While grocery store sales tripled in the second quarter, the company still lost $10.2 million on a 60.7 per… Read More
Farming today is challenging on many levels, and that includes management of the entire farm. With the added complexities of volatile markets, increasing uncertainty, and the traditional risk of making a living off the weather, farmers and ranchers need to act as multi-talented CEOs on a daily basis. The challenge is that it is incredibly… Read More
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada announced the 25 members of its Canadian Agricultural Youth Council recently. In the application process, AAFC committed to regional representation and choosing members with a diversity of backgrounds. In naming the 25 members, AAFC has certainly achieved that — with people from every province and one from the northern territories, and… Read More
By now you’ve heard of the Prime Minister’s latest scandal, this time over his family’s involvement and government support of the WE Charity. It’s the third ethics probe/scandal that this prime minister has been involved in — and this latest gaffe makes me think about kid’s sports. Have your kids played a sport where it… Read More
While U.S. President Trump and Mexican President Obrador were meeting in Washington D.C. to celebrate the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Prime Minister Trudeau was in Ottawa defending his government’s mid-year fiscal update. It is no surprise that the numbers are not pretty, as the Liberals have attempted to rescue the economy with major support payments, just… Read More
Many industries have been dramatically impacted by COVID-19 over the past three months. Whether it is agriculture, airlines, food service, or energy, it has been a very bumpy ride. Not all industries are impacted equally, from a timing perspective. One of the industries that faces longer term challenges is equipment manufactures in the agriculture and… Read More
Father’s Day for many farm families involves a BBQ, gifts, maybe some golf, and likely some farm work if the weather is right for spraying. Like mothers, fathers play an integral role in the family farm business. For any family business there are smooth days, rocky ones and outright turbulent days that test the ties… Read More
Is a profitable farm the most successful farm? Or is it the largest land base, the one with the newest equipment? Or is it the one whose operator takes a vacation every year or has the lowest debt? Earlier this week, we talked to Dr. Greg Ibendahl, of Kansas State University, and we talked about… Read More
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has released its flash report for May 2020 new machinery deliveries. The trend from prior months has continued as Canadian sales are down significantly while U.S. sales are more stable to 2019. In both countries the under 40 hour power tractor category has been the strongest in comparison to… Read More
Lemken has announced that the company is exiting the sprayer business. The company says it plans to “strengthen its mechanical weed control, plus selective crop care business” instead. Lemken’s sprayer line-up was never sold in North America, but it does indicate the direction that some manufacturers may take due to the increased appetite for mechanical… Read More