Bigger farms, fewer farmers — those results from the 2011 Census of Agriculture are hardly surprising. It’s the well-established, long-term trend. However, there’s more to the numbers than meets the eye. According to the census statistics, the average farm size in Saskatchewan has increased to 1,668 acres while Alberta is 1,168 and Manitoba is 1,135. […] Read more
Tag Archives Ag Finance
Million dollar farms dominate gross receipts
Should farmers pay for railways’ pensions?
The Canadian Transportation Agency recently announced that prairie grain farmers will pay 9.5 percent more to ship their grain. Based on the 2011 total freight bill under the revenue cap of $952 million, a 9.5 percent increase means another $90 million straight out of the pockets of prairie farmers. It means another $2.92 per tonne […] Read more
Statistics Canada must rethink how it defines farmers for census purposes
Let’s be clear from the get-go. Statistics Canada is a national treasure, its data collection illuminates Canadian history as it evolves and the Conservative decision to diminish its ability to gather information is a shortsighted ideological mistake. Much of the agricultural industry depends on Statistics Canada to tell the tale of what is happening as […] Read more
Eliminating efficacy test may have beneficial side
The federal government is apparently initiating a plan that would eliminate the requirement that fertilizers undergo efficacy testing before they are allowed on the market. A study of the pros and cons of such a change suggests farmers could benefit. Presently, fertilizer products entering the market must be tested for efficacy and to ensure they […] Read more
Ritz praises CAFTA for work
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance recently celebrated its 15th anniversary during a board meeting and reception in Ottawa . Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz praised the lobby group as a key supporter of the government’s relentless drive to forge new international trade agreements. “There’s no question CAFTA has been a driving force in opening new market […] Read more
Grain buyers have confidence in Canadian quality
Exports in open market | South American officials hope quality remains
South American buyers of Canadian spring wheat and durum are hoping Canada’s new open market doesn’t damage the quality and consistency of prairie grain. “We are going to be monitoring Canadian wheat,” said Luis Mancilla Lopez, a mill manager with Molinera del Maipo in Santiago, Chile. “If for some reason there is something unfavourable, we […] Read moreExpansion planned for Sask.’s Blue Hills processing plant
Farmers from Avonlea, Sask., who recently reclaimed 100 percent ownership in their pulse processing plant are expanding the facility. Blue Hills Ventures bought back Legumex Walker Inc.’s 20 percent share in the Blue Hills Processors (2003) Ltd. plant for $1.8 million. The company is now expanding to bolster its processing capacity. Storage will rise to […] Read more
Alliance delays durum mill plan
Alliance Grain Traders Inc. is tightening its belt in the wake of another poor quarter by delaying its Regina pasta plant project. Canada’s largest pulse processor posted sales of $197.4 million for the first quarter of 2012, down from $231.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. Earnings before income, taxes, depreciation and amortization were […] Read more
Redford’s Conservative gov’tdiffers from recent past
Meet the new boss | Not the same as the old boss
Alberta elected another majority Progressive Conservative government last month, but it isn’t more of the same, says political scientist Harold Jansen. The new government of premier Alison Redford is more urban, more centre-right and more co-operative in its approach, Jansen told the Southern Alberta Council of Public Affairs May 10. Much of rural Alberta, particularly […] Read moreHerbicide resistance testing pays off
Farmers climbing into sprayers to deal with pre-seeding burn off could gain valuable knowledge about weed resistance issues by having the proper tests done. That could pay off in time savings and money by making sure proper herbicides are applied. Saskatchewan’s Crop Protection Laboratory can test weed seeds for resistance to herbicides, which could take […] Read more
