It may not happen for years, but a new carbon scheme could impose European standards on Canadian farmers and producers around the globe. The European Union plan, called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, entered its first phase of implementation in October. EU leaders deny it is protectionism. The plan would mean that other countries must […] Read more
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BASF to buy 49 percent of shares
(Reuters) — BASF has struck a deal with Swedish utility Vattenfall to buy into two German offshore wind farms in the German chemicals giant’s latest move to secure fossil-free power and reduce its carbon footprint. The companies said Dec. 6 they had signed a memorandum of understanding for BASF to buy 49 percent of shares […] Read more
Farm balance sheet looks ‘awesome,’ says FCC
WINNIPEG — Most farmers can handle a tight year like this one, says Farm Credit Canada’s chief economist. “On the balance sheet front, things look awesome,” said J.P. Gervais in an interview, referring to Statistics Canada 2022 farm debt and equity numbers. “Asset values have been trending up. Equity has gone up, so that’s good […] Read more
Report sees Canadian food inflation fading
Canadian food prices are expected to rise between 2.5 and 4.5 percent in 2024, according to a new report. “It is probable that Canadians will continue to experience the strain of food inflation compounded by increasing costs of housing, energy and various other expenditures,” according to Canada’s Food Price Report 2024. Related stories: Grocery code […] Read more
Grocery code of conduct hits snags
REGINA — Canada’s grocery code of conduct appears to be in jeopardy after Loblaw and Walmart said last week they weren’t prepared to sign on to it. Loblaw executive chair Galen Weston told the standing agriculture committee the code as currently written would cause higher, not lower, prices. Walmart Canada chief executive officer Gonzalo Gebera […] Read more
Farmers not to blame for food prices: report
REGINA — An analysis of eight food items found little connection between higher grocery prices and what farmers earn at the farmgate. The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan and market analyst Kevin Grier looked at beef, pork, flour, bread, canola oil, lentils, margarine and beer. Related stories: Report sees Canadian food inflation fading Grocery code […] Read more
Export hay prices show serious decline in 2023
“Violent whiplash,” is how Joshua Callen describes forage markets in the western United States. Callen of the Hoyt Report of Idaho, spoke at the recent Canadian Forage and Grassland Association Convention in Harrison Hot Springs, B.C. West coast pricing generally sets the hay price in North America. Its market experienced an extreme high in 2022 […] Read more
Malt keeps the wheels turning
NEW NORWAY, Alta. — Low prices and a busy off-farm job convinced Dean Durand to sit down with his parents in 2005 and question why they were still farming. “Canola was priced at $6 a bushel and barley was $2 and it didn’t make any sense. It was a tough one. We sat down at […] Read more
Retirement decision day: why wait any longer?
A post-harvest vacation from their grain farm helped give a farm couple the perspective and distance to make a decision
Carlyle, Sask. — A week after Trevor and Nickie Doty held their farm equipment sale they were on a flight to Mexico. “Right now we’re sitting in the kitchen of our condo looking out at the Pacific Ocean. It is beautiful here. Our aches and pains are all gone,” said Trevor of Carlyle, Sask. The […] Read more
Keep the farm together or pull it apart?
Farm transition, succession or estate plan is difficult, but posing scenarios or telling stories helps guide the discussion
At the end of October, Clint Fischer, an American farm estate and succession plan lawyer, posted the following comment to his X account. “You’re presented an opportunity to work for a retiring farmer and own the operation over time. What are your concerns? Not free, you’ll be buying into the operating entity at a discount. […] Read more
