Reading Time: 3 minutes The definition of “legacy” in agriculture is changing. I have worked in this industry in some capacity for more than two decades and the one constant is that every family farm believes in legacy, the ability to create something that your children want to be a part of after you are gone. For years, that […] Read more
What is a farm legacy?
Summer Series: Discussions about legacy have become more complex. How can you balance legacy and family when it comes to the next generation?
Flower power, with help from some feathered friends
Summer Series: The pros and cons of chickens on a flower farm
Reading Time: 3 minutes After five years as owner-operator of flower farm Shifting Blooms, Raney’s long-time love of chickens is paying off more than she initially thought. The mix of Ameraucana, Easter Egger, Swedish flower hens, Copper Marans, silkies, an Orpington and a Polish chicken create a rainbow of eggs for her farm stand. But her chickens give so […] Read more
How to take charge of animal health on your farm
Summer Series: Keep these eight strategies in mind to manage and prevent animal health issues on the farm
Reading Time: 4 minutes Balancing animal health with farm profitability can be challenging. Adopting a proactive approach to animal care is one of the most effective ways to minimize veterinary costs. “Establishing animal health protocols and early intervention as a regular practice on your farm can not only enhance the health and well-being of livestock, but can help farmers […] Read more
Veterinary know-how on the farm
Summer Series: Basic veterinary knowledge could save you extra fees — and your animals. Here’s a refresher about the top common health concerns every farmer should be able to recognize
Reading Time: 6 minutes If you’re a livestock farmer, you’ve likely faced one of the most frustrating situations on the farm: a sick or distressed animal. You feel helpless, unsure of how to provide assistance or relief. According to Dr. Rob Swackhammer, veterinarian with Upper Grand Veterinary Services in Guelph, Ont., who specializes in large animal veterinary care, these […] Read more
VIDEO: Is your parents’ accountant the best fit for the farm?
Reading Time: < 1 minute How can you tell your parents that the accountant they’ve had for years might not currently be the best option for the farm? An email from Worried We’re Missing Something asked our resident awkward conversation pro, Patti Durand from Brightrack Consulting, for advice about what they should say to mom and dad to ensure that […] Read more
A guide to farm financial ratios
Long lists of available financial ratios can be overwhelming. Here are three financial ratios that matter to bankers and how understanding them can strengthen your farm’s financial future
Reading Time: 7 minutes Some farm managers love to spend the winter poring over their financial statements and analyzing all ratios and indicators and how they’ve changed over time. Others would rather be outside working with cattle or at conferences learning the latest disease management techniques. If you’re not in the first category, your banker might know more about […] Read more
VIDEO: How to ask for a raise on the farm
Reading Time: < 1 minute If you’re thinking of asking for a raise but know that conversations about money can be awkward — especially if the boss is mom or dad — then you’ll want to listen to this week’s episode of Awkward Ag for step-by-step advice.
Why do farmers hate paying taxes?
Reading Time: 3 minutes It didn’t take long in my accounting career to learn that farmers don’t like paying income tax. No one does really, but farmers seem to have a particular disdain for sending money to Ottawa. I think there are a few reasons for this. One is cash basis income tax treatment which means farmers can often […] Read more
The wildly adaptable side of next gen agriculture
Summer Series 'Next Gen': Millennials are not all about avocado toast. This generation is not afraid to question the way things have always been done in the ag industry if it means building a stronger future
Reading Time: 4 minutes Some people just fall into the world of agriculture — and consider themselves lucky to have stumbled into such a happening industry. Kelsey Owen-Cooper is one of those people. Owen-Cooper grew up in rural Ontario, surrounded by farm influences. Her grandparents grew up on farms, her father worked on a local dairy (frequent visits to […] Read more
Shifting tides bring change to agriculture
Summer Series: Will short-term pain cause long-term gain for Canada’s ag industry?
Reading Time: 4 minutes Warren Buffet once said, “Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked.” Well, the tide is going out in primary producer agriculture. Who will be left with clothes on? Is the shifting tide due to the highest cost of production ever? The changing policy discussions? The geopolitical factors that come […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
