From farm level to the corner office, there are more jobs available in agriculture than ever before. But the possibility of a future talent shortage is a definite concern, and that discussion was part of the recent farm management-focused week of the Syngenta Media Summit. “It’s been a hot topic lately, specifically in Syngenta, but… Read More
Benchmarking is a comparison, but it’s not a competition. Benchmarking can be a useful tool to understand where your farm management practices can improve on yield, profit margin, operation efficiency, or gross margin. Even human resources can be benchmarked, but it’s what you do with the numbers next that really counts. Maggie Van Camp, national… Read More
Performance reviews for staff just aren’t talked about enough in regards to farm management. They also don’t have to be a negative experience; both employee and employer can provide feedback during a performance — they’re not a one-way conversation. Joining us for today’s RealAg LIVE is Jennifer Wright, senior HR advisor with the Canadian Agricultural… Read More
If I want it done right, I’ll do it myself. Is that a phrase that you often say or think as a farmer? Delegation is a learned skill and one that doesn’t always come easily, especially if you’re used to working independently. On a recent Farmer Rapid Fire segment over on RealAg Radio, host Shaun… Read More
The Alberta government says part of “prioritizing jobs for Albertans” includes making changes to the temporary foreign worker (TFW) program in the province. Alberta’s government plans to limit the number and types of jobs available to new TFWs — making jobs “available for unemployed Albertans,” according to a press release. As of November 1, additional… Read More
Farming is such a diverse industry with so many operation types that add value to the industry. Canadian Young Farmers’ Forum (CYFF) was established in 1997, with the goal to assist young farmers with information while exchanging ideas that lead to progressive strategies, to ensure farming success in Canada. The organization hosts speakers and innovative… Read More
Statistics Canada’s recent September job market data is reassuring. Overall, employment in the country increased in September, creating 378,000 jobs, the majority of which were full-time jobs. This increase in September brought our total employment to 720,000, shy of the level we had before the pandemic. Obviously, children being back to school has helped bring some… Read More
Creating an advisory board for your farm business can be an effective way to bring outside experience, perspective, and expertise on to the farm, without adding to the management team. As some farms are learning, the overall size and complexity of the farm business has grown far beyond what just one, or a few people… Read More
Yield maps aren’t the only data points to collect and analyze. Farms generate all sorts of information that could be useful in determining profit, wasted time or resources, or identifying opportunity. The trouble is, some farms are either generating data with no clear means of using it, or are missing out on capturing simple data… 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
Farming today is challenging on many levels, and that includes management of the entire farm. With the added complexities of volatile markets, increasing uncertainty, and the traditional risk of making a living off the weather, farmers and ranchers need to act as multi-talented CEOs on a daily basis. The challenge is that it is incredibly… Read More
The United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW Canada) recently presented to the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit to advocate for better health and safety protections for migrant workers labouring in the Windsor, Ont., area. The county and area has been hard hit by COVID-19 at local farms and farm businesses, including hundreds of positive cases… Read More
The federal government has committed to investing up to $9.2 million to fund up to 700 new positions for young people in the agriculture industry through its Youth Employment and Skills Program. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau made the announcement on Tuesday. “During this unprecedented time, our food producers are working hard to feed Canada, while… Read More
A recently announced wage top-up program could apply to farm and food industry workers, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the $3 billion in funding “to increase the wages of low-income essential workers” late last week, and a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) says that provinces and… Read More
What happens if you, someone else on the farm, or one of your employees gets sick or must self-isolate during the spring planting or calving season? It’s a scenario every farm should prepare for in the midst of the current pandemic, says Jennifer Wright. A cough or a runny nose is usually not an excuse… Read More