There are talents we’re born with, and then there are skills we develop. Even our talents, without practice or work, can only get us so far. Learning and development really never ends, if you think about it, and some of us truly lean in to on-going training, improving, and learning, but some of us just… Read More
Category: Farm Management
There’s something about us rural folk and the appreciation we have of just how beautiful our surroundings can be. For those of you that know me, you know that sunsets, sunrises, and a bright starry sky can make me take a deep breath in ways that not much else can. Lately, I’ve been stuck in… Read More
Premier Doug Ford’s government released its latest budget for Ontario, with a major focus on health care and housing. Tucked in the budget, however, are a few items directly or indirectly applicable to agriculture in the province, including a focus on improving veterinary access in under-serviced areas, support for trades, and a manufacturing credit. In… Read More
Regardless of the topic — from marketing and production, to human resource management and goal setting — if farmers set out to learn about something, it made them hungry to learn even more. That’s according to the Farmer skill development survey, that ran in late February to early March, 2023 run by RealAgristudies. Over 75o participants… Read More
Much of what governments in Canada do when it comes to agriculture and farming falls under the umbrella of the “Ag Policy Framework” — the big agreements that federal, provincial, and territorial agriculture ministers have been signing roughly every five years going back to the early 2000s. With the latest iteration of the APF, known… Read More
When it comes to cybersecurity, often times the mentality can be “it happens to the big guys, it won’t happen to me.” The unfortunate reality is that cyberattacks are a growing industry, and in order to protect yourself and your company, you have to understand the risks and how to be less of a target…. Read More
There are many parallels between coaching and team sports and running an effective work force. Leveraging skill sets, managing personality conflicts, goal setting, and teamwork are just as relevant during the seeding season or harvest as they are on the pitch or playing field. For this episode of the Mind Your Farm Business podcast, host… Read More
Ontario and PEI led farmland value growth for Canada in 2022, but each province showed a strong gain in value, according to the annual farmland report put out by Farm Credit Canada (FCC). As a whole, Canadian farmland value increased 12.8 per cent in 2022, an increase from 8.3 per cent growth in 2021, says… Read More
The Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) have enlisted the support of CropLife Canada in its ‘Road to 2050’ climate-solution initiative. The Road to 2050 will focus on innovation, research and beneficial management practices, representing a practical and proactive approach to tackling climate change. Recommendations, GGC says, will help guide government policies and programming directed at… Read More
Corteva AgriScience has shuffled the leadership deck in Canada replacing Bryce Eger with Jeremy Dirks, according to a company spokesperson. Dirks will now be vice president, Canada Commercial Unit for Corteva Agriscience Canada. Dirks most recently served as project management office leader for Corteva at Johnston, Iowa. Dirks previously held roles establishing the company’s role… Read More
Justine Hendricks is less than a month in to her role as president and CEO of Farm Credit Canada (FCC), but she says she’s already shook about 800 hands. Hendricks, speaking from FCC’s Kanata, Ont., office, says starting in prime farm conference season has been an excellent way to meet so many faces in the… Read More
Rabobank is a large food and agricultural lender based in the Netherlands that’s making a move in to the primary Canadian agriculture market. While not new to Canada — the company is celebrating its 25th year in the country in 2023 — the organization has only been lending to the agri-business and agri-processor market. Now,… Read More
Brant County farmer Steve Sickle has been named president of the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA) for 2023. Sickle has been involved in the Brant Federation of Agriculture, Brant Beef Farmers, Ontario Soil Network, and the agriculture advisory council for the county. His OSCIA involvement stretches back many years, and he’s also worked… Read More
For most farmers, accounting is not the most attractive part of the business. It’s integral to the farm’s success, but it requires time in the office or at the desk — not aways a favourite way to spend the day. That’s a key reason why Traction Ag appeals to farmers, says the cloud-based accounting software… Read More
Given how demographics are shifting, it’s only going to get more difficult to find new employees for the farm. Looking bigger picture to agriculture as a whole, there are far more career opportunities than there are those lining up to work. While there are longer-term issues that need attention, in the short-term farms have immediate seasonal… Read More