It’s been five years since the hog barns were full on John Germs’ farm. The Saskatoon area farmer de-scribes the time as bittersweet. He spent 32 years in the business, shipping up to 95 hogs per week, before switching full time to grain. “I wake up every morning and I still know exactly what day […] Read more
News
How mega-farms led to mega- collapse
Food manufacturers ‘struggling’ despite $4.7 billion profit
Profits curtailed | Food makers say tight budgets are forcing consumers to look for bargains
Canadian food manufacturers are on track to book $4.7 billion in profits this year before taxes, a 1.8 percent increase over last year, says the Conference Board of Canada. It expects a food manufacturing industry profit margin of 5.5 percent this year. The business-oriented research centre predicts that before-tax profits will increase next year by […] Read moreOxfam lobbies against foreign land purchases
Countries and companies are rushing to buy millions of acres of farmland in developing countries at the expense of local farmers and the food needs of local people, says Oxfam. And the international aid group also is pointing a finger at Canadian companies and pension funds as part of the problem. “The trend is getting […] Read more
General business courses, seminars teach skills applicable to ag
Negotiations, alternative dispute resolution, change management, communication and leadership are not typical topics when talking about farm business management. Nor are they something you would use in the field on a day-to-day basis. However, farmers regularly ask me about topics that could be included in their managerial development plans. I generally recommend the five topic […] Read more
Year-round greenhouse means year-round bills
Labour, heat, water costs | Expansion prompts owners to install a labour management system to track costs and improve efficiency
MEDICINE HAT, Alta. — The shine from within and without the 15-acre greenhouse is hard to miss while travelling on Highway 3 west of Medicine Hat. Its glass surfaces burn like a flame during the day and glow like a jewel during the night. Within its cozy confines, cucumbers grow year round and supply western […] Read more2012 honey yields down on Prairies
Hot, dry summer | Production is down but so were overwintering losses from last year
A hot and dry summer limited prairie honey yields this year. Official statistics haven’t been released, but beekeepers in Western Canada are reporting yields that are either average or below average. “I think honey production in the province will be down, as a whole, probably 20 percent,” said Corey Bacon of Kinistino, Sask., president of […] Read moreU.S. compromises at talks may force Canada to follow
TransPacific Partnership talks | Supply management will come under fire
TORONTO — Former federal agriculture trade negotiator Mike Gifford says pressure on Canadian supply management in upcoming Asian trade liberalization talks depends on how much the United States is willing to compromise. As a big player on the trade scene, American protection of its dairy and sugar sectors will be under the spotlight in trade […] Read moreFood stockpiles won’t curb price volatility: EU
MILAN, Italy (Reuters) — Building strategic agricultural stocks to curb market volatility would not be the most effective way to tame food prices, said European Union development commissioner Andris Piebalgs. Instead, he said an increase in food production is needed in the world’s poorest countries, which remain vulnerable to the threat of a food crisis […] Read more
Sask.’s latest short-line railway opens
Saskatchewan’s network of independently owned short-line railway companies continues to expand. The province’s 13th short-line railway, Long Creek Railroad, officially opened Oct. 2. Long Creek owns and operates 66 kilometres of track from Estevan to Tribune in southeastern Saskatchewan. The line, formerly known as CP Bromhead, was owned by Canadian Pacific Railway but was slated […] Read more
Legumex Walker expands share offering
Legumex Walker Inc. has been cranking out news releases. On Oct. 1, the company announced it had completed acquisition of Keystone Grain Ltd., a Manitoba processor and seller of sunflower, flax and other specialty crops. A day later, it announced a syndicate of underwriters had agreed to buy 1,742,000 common shares for $13.5 million with […] Read more
