Robots, pension plans and jet streams — what do all these have in common? All three will play an integral role in agriculture now and into the future. That’s according to Richard Worzel, a futurist and recent speaker at BASF’s Knowledge Harvest event. Worzel touched on several key factors that promise great demand for agriculture… Read More
Category: Ag Business
Correlation does not mean causation, but it can be a good place to start investigating a link. And, sometimes, that apparent link turns out to be valid. Earlier this week, the CFIA confirmed that PEDv DNA detected in hog feed (which contained hog plasma) was capable of causing infection. CFIA’s statement, released earlier this week… Read More
There’s a need in the Middle East for many of the crops that Canada grows. The area is production light and demand heavy — the city of Dubai, specifically, is also a major trading and processing hub for several other markets. But getting volumes of grain to the region is challenging and expensive. Of course,… Read More
The words “Made in Canada branding campaign” had hardly dried on the page of federal finance minister Jim Flaherty’s Economic Action Plan last week before marketing experts started taking shots at it…even though they didn’t know what it was about. They couldn’t know, because the government itself didn’t — all the budget contained was one… Read More
Is planting accurately while running 10 mph possible? John Deere says yes, if you’re using its new seed delivery system ExactEmerge row unit. Unveiled at the 2014 National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville, Kentucky, the ExactEmerge promises precise seed placement and spacing— 10% better at traditional speeds — but boasts the ability to travel at… Read More
If there’s one topic farmers can’t get enough of this month, it’s rail movement. Eclipsing even crop prices, logistics and rail movement was the topic of discussion from breakfast to late-night beverages at FarmTech ’14 last week. RealAgriculture’s editor, Lyndsey Smith, sat down with Gordon Bacon, CEO of Pulse Canada, to talk about the three… Read More
Maintaining good relationships should be a priority in any succession plan, but sometimes it’s hard to get past the financial and legal jargon associated with the process. For both reasons, a farm business should consider appointing a third party to mediate discussions. And, in the meantime, it doesn’t hurt to learn about some of your… Read More
The Canadian dollar has been very comfortable at par for quite some time. So much so, that it well and truly was the new normal. Recently, however, a few factors have converged to pressure the loonie’s value. The question is, is this a blip or a trend, and who wins and who loses in the… Read More
Weyburn Inland Terminal’s (WIT) board of directors has unanimously accepted an offer from Parrish & Heimbeker to purchase the company. The purchase agreement is subject to court approvals and the approval of two-thirds of the votes cast by shareholders present in person or by proxy at the special meeting of shareholders. The sale is also subject… Read More
Nineteen years out of the last 23, you’d have saved money by pre-buying your fertilizer in the fall. Of course, fall application of fertilizer is subject to high rates of losses, potentially negating any savings and having a negative impact on the environment, and storing fertilizer isn’t always possible. So, it’s not surprising then that… Read More