When it comes to skilled labour needs in agriculture, we’re very good at identifying and quantifying the gap. However, as an industry where we’ve lagged is in making progress on the action items required to fill that gap. Cam Dahl, general manager of the Manitoba Pork Council, says that while the labour shortage is not… Read More
Unionized employees at Cargill’s High River, Alta., processing plant will vote on a new bargaining agreement beginning December 2nd, and ending on December 4th. “We are encouraged by the outcome of yesterday’s (Nov. 30) meeting with the union bargaining committee representing our High River team,” a Cargill spokesperson said in a Dec. 1 email to… Read More
When a person thinks of cyber security, it’s not often thought about in the context of agriculture, or at the same time as agriculture. But, recent cyber security attacks in the past few months have prompted large and small companies alike to review the risks and vulnerabilities to attack. Darktrace is a cyber security company… Read More
Turn on Bloomberg, CNBC, or Fox News and just about every mainstream news outlet is talking about inflation. But how worried should farmers or ranchers be about inflation? In some ways, farmers or ranchers may be set up to benefit from inflation, says Shawn Hass, of RBC Dominion Securities, in this interview with Shaun Haney… Read More
A strong legacy component to a farming operation can often make choosing who will take over the farm a difficult decision. Renee Wiatt, family business management specialist with Purdue University’s agricultural economics department, talked succession planning with RealAg Radio host Shaun Haney, as part of Farm Management Canada’s Agricultural Excellence Conference. “Farming is a very… Read More
The Canadian Agriculture Human Resource Council (CAHRC) is announcing the launch of a new partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER) to create an agriculture-focused business case competition for Canadian post-secondary students from any discipline. The goal of the partnership — made possible through the Government of Canada — is to increase the… Read More
As part of Ontario’s reopening plan, farms and agriculture businesses with one employee or more are required to have COVID-19 safety protocols in place. Dean Anderson, strategic advisor, agricultural initiatives with Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS), says that many farms, ag businesses, and processors are not aware of the change. But, all it… Read More
The Successors is a RealAgriculture podcast series hosted by Kara Oosterhuis focusing on agriculture from the perspective of the up-and-coming generation. How do you separate business from personal when you live and work with your spouse? What are some of the things you can do when you’re the newcomer into an operation? Why is planning… Read More
Farmers looking to upgrade their farm management skills, without the cost and commitment of on-location learning, will be able to access a new online course beginning in January 2022. RBC Royal Bank, Farm Credit Canada and the University of Guelph have teamed up to offer an eight-module, learn-at-home course called Foundations in Agriculture Management. The… Read More
Change is everywhere in farming and often everything seems to be in flux, whether it’s markets, trade relationships, weather, or family relationships. Depending on the circumstances, farmers react differently to change says Heather Watson, executive director at Farm Management Canada (FMC). “Some people see that as unwelcome and unnerving; others see it as an opportunity… Read More
Cargill has served its unionized employees working at the High River processing facility with a lockout notice, set to begin at 12:01 am on December 6, 2021. The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 had previously served Cargill with a strike notice with December 6 as the deadline. In a letter dated November 25,… Read More
This story has been edited to include the vote result. With a strike deadline looming on December 6, members of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 401 (UFCW) who work at Cargill’s High River beef processing plant have voted against a new contract offer this week. The union that represents over 2,000 workers at the… Read More
For the second consecutive year, Thunder Bay, Ont. dairy farmer Peggy Brekveld will lead the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the province’s largest general farm organization. Brekveld was elected president by OFA’s board of directors after the conclusion of the organization’s annual general meeting on Monday, Nov. 22. Mark Reusser and Drew Spoelstra were re-elected as… Read More
The governments of Canada and Ontario are funding two new multi-year mental health initiatives, specialized to support the agriculture sector. More than $7 million dollars through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership will go towards The Guardians Network, a new program modelled after the Farmer Wellness Program, pioneered by mental health specialist Deborah Vanberkel. The program will… Read More
Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers regional nominees have been announced and the national event is set to take place December 2 and 3. The program recognizes farmers between 18 and 39 from any area of agriculture, with a few criteria. Carla Kaeding, COYF program manager, says that outstanding young farmers are people that excel in agriculture,… Read More