The global phosphate market is experiencing some shortages lately and there is a potential domestic solution. Over the last ten years, Arianne Phosphate, based out of Montreal, Que. has been working on the largest green-field, or undeveloped phosphate deposit, located north of the Saguenay region. “It’s a very big deposit. Today it’s the world’s largest… Read More
Mergers and acquisitions saw an active year in the ag tech sector over 2021. A recent report from Verdant Partners, states that there were over 50 technology deals announced in 2021, excluding biotechnology and food tech, representing a 40 per cent increase over 2020. More than 70 per cent of the transactions included a U.S…. Read More
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) and AGT Foods have announced a joint venture partnership that will see a 1.1 million metric tonne/year canola processing facility in Regina, Sask. The canola crush plant is part of a larger $2 billion investment FCL is making in the construction of an Integrated Agriculture Complex (IAC). The announcement builds on… Read More
Corn rootworm resistance to Bt proteins and hybrids is a growing concern for Ontario corn producers. In this video report from Ontario Diagnostic Days 2021, University of Guelph research scientist Jocelyn Smith helps growers understand corn rootworm’s life cycle and how to rate corn roots for rootworm injury. She also discusses how growers can work with researchers to… Read More
One of the conversations in the first few weeks of the new year often ask the question “What should I be paying attention to?” Farm Credit Canada (FCC) has released its list of the top 5 economic trends for Canadian agriculture and food to watch in 2022. J.P. Gervais, chief economist at FCC, joined RealAg… Read More
CN Rail is currently looking for a new CEO. Normally, an executive search wouldn’t draw that much attention; however, when the position is potentially filled by someone from a shareholding hedge fund, it could impact the direction and mission of the company. That’s according to the federal Conservatives, and Andrew Scheer, shadow minister for infrastructure… Read More
AgriStability, the whole farm, business risk management program has been in place for Canadian farmers for 16 years. In that time, it’s been maligned and criticized, and it continues to be subject to an ongoing tug-of-war between federal and provincial politicians. But with a new ag policy framework to be unveiled for 2023, changes to the… Read More
2021 has been a tough weather year. From prolonged drought and excessive heat, to the flooding witnessed in recent weeks in British Columbia — weather disasters have had a tremendous impact on Canadian farms and agriculture businesses. Erik Davies, from Barefoot Consulting, has spent his career working on disaster recovery and risk management issues. Last month… Read More
Bill C-208, an act to amend the Income Tax Act, received royal assent in June of 2021. The act, which governs the rules and regulations regarding the transfer of agriculture businesses between family members, was applauded by many in the farming industry. Farm business advisors and accountants might be telling farmers and ranchers that changes… Read More
With high fertilizer prices heading into 2022, corn growers can’t afford to over-apply nutrients. But they also can’t risk losing money by shorting the crop of its fertility needs. On the season-ending episode of RealAgriculture’s Corn School for 2021, University of Guelph associate professor Dr. David Hooker returns to comment on this conundrum and share… Read More
At any current conference, no matter what sector of the agriculture industry, the word sustainability is going to pop up. Last week at the GrowCanada conference, hosted by CropLife Canada, there was a whole section of the agenda devoted to sustainability. Mary Shelman, of Shelman Group and former director of Harvard Business School’s agribusiness program,… Read More
One challenge that many farmers face is how to pass the reins of an operation to a successor and how to get out of the way, but not go away. Dick Wittman learned plenty of valuable lessons managing a family-operated 20,000 acre crop, cattle, and timber operation in northern Idaho. He now heads Wittman Consulting, specializing… Read More
A new commercial-scale facility from GoodLeaf Farms may help prove the potential of vertical farming. Jeff McKinnon, senior vice president of network development at GoodLeaf, joined Shaun Haney on RealAg Radio, to chat about the announcement, how GoodLeaf fits in with the food supply chain, and what the new facility means for the fresh greens vertical… Read More
Many Canadian beef cow-calf operators are not just surviving, they’re thriving. That’s one of the key takeaways from the first report produced by the Canadian Cow-Calf Cost of Production Network, which was established in the spring of 2021. Made up of cow-calf operations from across Canada, the network of producers is working with Canfax Research Services… Read More
Farmers Business Network (FBN) says it will not be bringing its new farm equity financing program to Canada in the near term. The California-based company, which aims to shake up traditional business models in crop production, launched its “Farmland Capital” program near the end of October. FBN said they will offer farmers up to 25… Read More