In agriculture, women are under represented in leadership roles. How do we change that? For Cargill, one of the world’s largest agribusinesses, change comes in the form of a commitment to achieve gender parity in management by 2030. The goal is to have women occupy 50 per cent of leadership roles in the organization at that… Read More
It seems like a foregone conclusion, but the Bank of Canada is expected to raise interest rates Wednesday. The market is expecting a 25 basis point hike to 1.75%, which would be the fifth increase since July, 2017. Bank of Canada Governor Stephen Poloz will address the Canadian economy that’s been tempered in the past… Read More
An organic beef ranch near Gainesville, Florida, is at the centre of a $520 million lawsuit between a father and daughter. Frank Stronach, Canadian billionaire and founder of Magna International, is suing his daughter, former Member of Parliament Belinda Stronach over a number of things, but most notably the misuse of funds and purposely underfunding… Read More
When it comes to communicating in the workplace — men and women don’t typically speak the same language. According to Sherry Waddingham, president of Mindshift, a Toronto-based workplace communications company, men tend to be more assertive, competitive, look to problem solve and are poor listeners. Women on the other hand, are less assertive, look to share… Read More
I’m worried about the tone of many conversations I’ve had with dairy farmers recently. Following on the heels of the latest trade deal, many farmers are angry, feeling steamrolled, or, quite frankly, are afraid that their very livelihood is being threatened. It’s not just dairy farmers feeling the pinch, of course — farming carries a … Read More
Can robots effectively milk cows on large U.S. dairy farms? That’s a question Plymouth, Indiana farmer Brian Houin is determined to answer at his family-owned Homestead Dairy operation. Canadian farmers have had tremendous success using robot milkers in smaller dairy operations, but Houin is putting the milking machines to the test on a whole new level. In… Read More
Anaerobic digesters have popped up on farms across Ontario in recent years, but there are none quite like the digester Rob McKinlay has installed at Harcolm Farms at Beachville, Ontario. What makes it unique is its size – at 20 kilowatts, it’s 10- to 20-times smaller than the other 42 digesters currently operating on Ontario… Read More
Capital assets don’t buy groceries. If this statement makes you scratch your head a little, you’re likely the older generation on the farm. If you read it and think, “Don’t I know it” you might be the in-coming generation, and very likely frustrated by the lack of clarity on how the farm’s equity and income… Read More
It’s rare that farmers get as excited about business management professional development opportunities as they do about the latest equipment reveal or new crop variety. But Farm Management Canada is working to change that with its fifth annual Agricultural Excellence Conference. Slated this year for November 26th to 28th, at Winnipeg, Man., executive director Heather Watson… Read More
Citing a strong industry, but a shrinking demographic, BMO Bank of Montreal has introduced its new loan program for Canadian farmers 35 years or younger. The BMO Young Farmer program offers is aimed at helping both the person who’s already in the industry and for those who are choosing to get into agriculture, with loans of up… Read More
Our lives and businesses all depend on not just decent cell service, but also useful Internet speeds. It’s not just our homes and farms that need real Internet — the businesses and services farmers and ranchers depend on require high-speed Internet to stay competitive and relevant, too. Those who live and work in rural areas… Read More
Cleaning up around your farm probably isn’t top of mind at the moment, but as it gets closer to October you may find yourself with some time to clean up the shop or quonset. Free of charge to farmers, CleanFarms is about to start its triennial obsolete pesticides and livestock medication disposal program in various regions… Read More
Starting today, if you live in a rural community and want to take a mental health first-aid course, there will be funding provided. The Do More Agriculture foundation (DMAF) along with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) will be giving rural community members the opportunity to apply for funding if you’re interested in organizing mental health first… Read More
A new mental health program for farmers called In The Know is being piloted this month in Ontario. Three versions of the program — developed over the past year at the University of Guelph with PhD candidate Briana Hagen and the guidance of a 30-member advisory committee consisting of farmers, veterinarians, mental health experts and… Read More
Although not a common practice for most farmers, a lawyer is urging more farmers to consider consulting their legal advisor prior to purchasing pricey farm equipment. This advice comes after one Saskatchewan farm lost their legal battle and appeal against an ag dealership. In this specific case, James and Merrylyne Coward claimed the dealership they bought… Read More