Online purchases of crop inputs are growing faster-than-expected, says the company with the world’s largest network of bricks-and-mortar crop input retail locations. Nutrien says total sales through its e-commerce platform surpassed $700 million in the first six months of 2020, exceeding the company’s target of $500 million for the entire year. “Our digital platform continues… Read More
In the food business, there is likely no more ruthless arena than the grocery store. A recent move by Walmart to impose new costs on suppliers has prompted a group of food and beverage organizations to call on the federal government to step in and regulate the grocery industry. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Dairy… Read More
Emotion, money, and legacy are three factors that can potentially contribute to a very bumpy farm business succession. A farm transition doesn’t have to end badly, but too often farm families ignore best practices for a succession, based on the illusion that your farm is different from everyone else’s. While every farm is unique in… Read More
Investors continue to see potential in agtech, as Farmers Business Network (FBN) has secured US$250 million in funding from a group of new and existing investors. The Series F funding for FBN, announced on Monday, was led by funds managed by New York-based BlackRock Inc., with participation from new investors Baron Capital Group, Balyasny Asset… Read More
Throughout the pandemic there’s been some struggle with meat supply chains and consumers getting the products they want. A new app developed by Lyndon Lisitza, Meatocracy, may just be the timely solution to widening the supply chain bottleneck. “The purpose of the app is very simply to bridge the gap between livestock producers and consumers… Read More
The annual Ontario field crop diagnostic days held at Ridgetown, Elora, and Winchester are going virtual! The organizing committees of these three highly successful in-field education and learning events are again partnering with crop researchers and extension, along with support from RealAgriculture and a host of sponsors in 2020. We would like to thank the… Read More
We knew the numbers would be bad, but a recent trade report puts in to perspective just how bad COVID-19 has hit food service, grocery stores, and food supply chains. Kevin Grier of Kevin Grier Market Analysis and Consulting in Guelph, Ont., led the study, and says that food service sales throughout the beginning of… Read More
In an era of “cheap” money, farms could take advantage to solve working capital shortages, set aside savings, or plan for a business transition. But debt restructuring, or taking on more debt even at low rates, is not without its pitfalls. For this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, Terry Betker, president, and… Read More
The Canadian Dairy XPO (CDX) has announced that its 2020 event, originally scheduled for April 1 and 2 and subsequently postponed, has now officially been cancelled. A statement from CDX says the final decision to cancel the Stratford, Ont., dairy industry showcase “was ultimately made by government and health officials with significant parameters around large-scale… Read More
COVID-19 has certainly made Canadians more aware and concerned about their food supply. But will public acknowledgement of the importance of the agriculture and food sector lead to more financial and policy support? “This is the first time many Canadians have gone to the grocery store and seen bare shelves… and it’s got them thinking,”… Read More
Canada’s equine industry is asking the federal government to help protect the health and welfare of thousands of “working horses” as their owners struggle to cope with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this week the federal government pledged $252 million in various funding and credit programs aimed at agriculture. The announcement was met… Read More
Olymel says it will be resuming operations at its hog slaughter and cutting plant at Yamachiche, Quebec on Tuesday, April 14 after closing for more than two weeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The plant, which normally processes 28 thousand pigs per week, has been closed since March 29, after nine employees tested positive… Read More
COVID-19 has been an unprecedented situation. People throughout all sectors are going through a lot with their businesses, and it has shed new light on the word “risk” and risk management. When farmers are doing their strategic risk analysis for the year, and they get to the threat portion, a global pandemic wasn’t exactly something… Read More
For those of us that work from home regularly, good broadband connectivity is essential. But in rural areas of Canada, effective broadband — capable of handling video calls, online classes, and more — is largely unavailable or exceeding expensive. During this global pandemic, thousands of farm and rural residents are sharing the reality of trying… Read More
If you’ve scrolled through all the COVID-19 posts on social media, you’ve probably seen an interesting trend of farmers encouraging people who have lost work outside of the industry to consider working on a farm. Greg Stamp of Stamp Seeds at Enchant, Alta., is one of those farmers that reached out to the world of… Read More