As a farmer, you manage the finances of your business and know how hard it is to earn and keep a dollar these days. Even tougher is spending that hard earned money on paying dental bills and medical expenses for you and your family. The key is to get the most out of your money, […] Read more
Ag Finance
How to keep family healthy without breaking the bank
Schmidt joins Agrium board
Hedge fund unhappy | Former Viterra president wasn’t on largest shareholder’s wish list
The former head of Viterra has a new position of power on the board of a fertilizer company that could soon be in control of a sizeable chunk of Viterra’s old assets. Agrium Inc. has appointed Mayo Schmidt, former president of Canada’s largest grain company, to its board of directors. The Canadian fertilizer giant has […] Read moreCo-op sector shifts from agriculture to Industry Canada responsibility
In a reversal of decades of policy, the federal government announced Jan. 28 it is transferring responsibility for the co-operative sector from Agriculture Canada to Industry Canada. The decision is the first concrete action to flow from an autumn report from a special House of Commons committee on co-ops that recommended the move. The government […] Read more
Farmland ownership not a bad idea, but it must make sense
I’ve been advising farmers at kitchen and boardroom tables for 30 years and have been involved in many discussions about land purchases. The price being contemplated was usually well in excess of the productive capacity of the land in question and yet it has continued to increase in price almost without a break. Common pitfalls […] Read more
Growing Forward 2: Interpreting changes in AgriStability and AgriInvest
There is increased negativity these days towards the AgriStability and AgriInvest programs resulting from the recently announced changes that will affect the 2013 program year applications to be filed in 2014. The program budgets were cut; however, there have also been government cuts to areas other than agriculture. The changes have caused producers to question […] Read more
Equipment maker has eyes on Australian purchase
Cervus Equipment Corp. is looking into buying an interest in an Australian farm equipment retailer. The Calgary-based company is talking with Windmill Agricultural Unit Trust to buy a 30 percent interest. The assets under consideration include four John Deere dealerships. “The signing of this (letter of intent) represents an opportunity to expand our market reach […] Read more
Farmers continue to wait for word on Viterra takeover
Farmers, employees, shareholders and analysts are watching and waiting to find out who is behind a takeover bid for Viterra Inc. A statement issued by Viterra during a halt in trading didn’t say whether that party was a single company or a group. “Viterra confirms that it has begun exclusive negotiations with a party and […] Read more
Suitor approaches Viterra, shares soar
Viterra announced today that it has received interest from a third party. Its share price soared this afternoon as high as about $14 per share from about $11. Shortly after, the company released a brief statement about the interest from an unnamed third party. “Viterra Inc. announced today that in view of market activity in […] Read more
New retirement savings options available for small business owners
Farmers will soon have a new option for tax-effective retirement savings for themselves and their employees. Federal legislation to create Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPP) was introduced last fall, has received second reading and has gone to committee. PRPPs are intended to be a broad-based, low-cost, defined pension option that will be available to all […] Read more
Farmers’ income projected to hit record in 2011
Canadian farmers had a record financial year in 2011 as income increases far outstripped cost increases, and although 2012 will see some decrease, returns will be strong, says Agriculture Canada. Manitoba is the prairie exception. In 2011, Manitoba farm sector income dropped 32 percent in the face of falling receipts and rising costs. This year, […] Read more
