A retired poultry producer estimates the time he spends on various boards still takes up three-quarters of his work week
Even though Harold Froese has moved off his family farm and wrapped up his poultry and poultry broiler operation, he still considers himself only semi-retired. Originally from Oak Bluff, Man., Harold and his wife, Jocelyn, now live in Winnipeg and his involvement in agriculture lobbying and provincial and federal agriculture organizations has been beneficial to […] Read moreStories by Becky Zimmer
Flooding aftermath lingers in northwest Sask.
Some cattle producers have faced flood damage for the last 11 years and the stress and frustration are mounting
Scott Campbell’s cattle operation near Meadow Lake, Sask., should be all green pasture this time of year. Instead, a dike is the only visible land. Pasture, once destined to feed his cattle, is under water. The Beaver River started to flood June 9 and has covered pastures at the ranch, which Campbell farms with his […] Read moreSask. floods disrupt grazing plans
Cattle ranchers in northwestern Saskatchewan are left waiting for flood waters to recede following recent flooding of Beaver River. A combination of upriver flood waters in Alberta on June 14, flooding from southern rivers and creeks and recent rainfall has caused pasture and grazing land to be submerged from the Alberta border to rural municipalities […] Read more
Weigh options when writing a will
Any person can be named as a beneficiary but there are obligations to spouses and financial dependents to consider
Planning a will is not something to take lightly, especially when deciding how to allocate assets. Many options must be weighed, like which child gets what and how assets and land should be divided, but for some testators who don’t have large families or children to give their assets to, what are some other options? […] Read more
Power of attorney provides peace of mind
People may reach a point in their life when they are unable to make important decisions. While this can be devastating, it is possible for people to choose who will make those decisions on their behalf before that time comes. Appointing a power of attorney ensures that someone trusted and knowledgeable is making decisions about […] Read more
Probate not something to avoid at all costs
However, a tax lawyer says avoiding probate fees by transferring titles away from the testator before they die is not hard
As the old saying goes, the only things certain in life are death and taxes. But professional help and planning ahead can go a long way in dealing with taxes that must be paid following a death. For Nikki Rudachyk, partner at McKercher LLP in Saskatoon and a member of the Canadian Association of Farm […] Read morePoorly written wills can cause headaches for loved ones
Self-made wills are legal if every step is followed, but non-lawyers can create a multitude of problems for themselves
Death can be difficult and those left behind can face big decisions. That’s where planning a proper will can make things easier for loved ones. There is plenty of information online and plenty of resources available on will planning, but investing in professional help can make things easier and more secure, says James D. Steele, […] Read more
Interns get eye-opening experience
Regina couple fulfilled their dream by spending six months on a community-shared agricultural operation
The view on the dusty dirt road to the Ternier’s family farm near Cochin, Sask., overlooking the Murray Lake Bird Sanctuary, takes one’s breath away. The rising sun crests over rolling hills only to dip over the lake in the evenings. Noises from pelicans, chickens, pigs, and cattle fill the air along with the wild […] Read more
Budgeting for retirement starts with honesty
The first step is knowing what expenses a farmer has and taking a good look at how those expenses are likely to change
Retiring can mean big changes for any Canadian senior and there is work in financially preparing for the change. For Canadian farmers, an early start and an educated look at financial needs can mean more money in their pockets. Patti Durand, an agriculture transition specialist with Farm Credit Canada, works with retiring farmers. Many farmers […] Read moreFarm succession plans must be formalized
Power dynamics and possible abuse and addiction issues can complicate the decision of what to do with the family farm
The average Canadian farmer is 55 years old, says Statistics Canada, and the average is steadily increasing. Yet only 8.4 percent of family farms have a succession plan, according to Statistics Canada, which means more than 90 percent of farms are operating without a plan to transfer ownership in case of a family crisis or […] Read more
