Many of the producers I work with feel like they’re “just doing what needs to be done.” They don’t necessarily see themselves as leaders, but they are. – Arlen Motz.

VIDEO: How to be the best leader for your farm

Summer Series: Being a leader isn’t just about a fancy business title. It’s about leading by example, inspiring and empowering those around you. How can you lead more intentionally on your farm?

Reading Time: 3 minutes Since I was a kid, I was told to never put gas in a diesel engine. Have you ever done that? I admit that I did.  The hardest part wasn’t the cleanup, the cost, or the inconvenience.  The hardest part was admitting what I did. Owning this mistake took me down two very different roads.  […] Read more

VIDEO: Sharing your final wishes with family

VIDEO: Sharing your final wishes with family

Reading Time: < 1 minute Are you the child who knows more about what your parents have written in their wills? Are you worried that you’ll be the one left to explain your parents’ wishes to your siblings after your parents have died? If you want to avoid being the bearer of bad news, Patti Durand walks us through what […] Read more


Closeup view of a human hand writing on a piece of paper

How to talk about your farm succession estate plans

Summer Series: Estate planning is never easy — and more difficult still is the conversations you need to have with your family. But these conversations can be a great opportunity to teach the next generation about money, family relationships and how to make decisions together

Reading Time: 5 minutes You’ve worked hard your whole life and lived within your means.  Now, you want your estate to help the future generation succeed — not create problems or heartache for your family.  But if you want your estate to create a legacy of positivity, you’ll have to proactively communicate your wishes through an estate plan.  Like […] Read more

Two couples walking beside a corn field

Taming monsters: When farm succession rears its head

Summer Series: With today’s access to capital and cost of land, many farms have grown beyond the point of “built to sell.” What happens when infrastructure and land holdings are too big for an exit strategy?

Reading Time: 2 minutes Family farms were less complex when I was growing up and farming in the 1980s through the early 2000s.  Decisions were made in thousands of dollars, not millions. Summers were spent at the lake, not in the cab of a sprayer. It was a great way of life, one that shaped my attitudes and behaviours.  […] Read more


a corn field with an inset photo of Brunel Sabourin

The agronomist wish list: Brunel Sabourin

These agronomists say they have great relationships with their farmer clients, but as with any relationship there is always room for improvement

Reading Time: 2 minutes What do agronomists wish farmers would ask for, or stop asking for, or understand better about their jobs? And how can farmers get the most out of their relationships with agronomists? While ultimately the customer calls the shots, Country Guide asked a few Western Canadian consulting agronomists what they would like to see from their […] Read more

canola plants with a photo of Jason Casselman as an inset

The agronomist wish list: Jason Casselman

Summer Series: These agronomists say they have great relationships with their farmer clients, but as with any relationship there is always room for improvement

Reading Time: 2 minutes What do agronomists wish farmers would ask for, or stop asking for, or understand better about their jobs? And how can farmers get the most out of their relationships with agronomists? While ultimately the customer calls the shots, Country Guide asked a few Western Canadian consulting agronomists what they would like to see from their […] Read more


man feeding hay to dairy cows in a barn

Farm succession: Where to begin?

Thinking of farm transition as a short-term, quick deal that we must get right because we only get one chance can prevent us from even starting the process — and starting it off right

Reading Time: 3 minutes I recently polled farm managers about what big projects they were planning for this year. Half the respondents said succession was a priority; however, many indicated that they don’t know where to start. I look at it like this: if you’ve taken your child to the field, or they work alongside you, then you have […] Read more

The agronomist wish list: Fred Wood

The agronomist wish list: Fred Wood

Summer Series: These agronomists say they have great relationships with their farmer clients, but as with any relationship there is always room for improvement

Reading Time: 2 minutes What do agronomists wish farmers would ask for, or stop asking for, or understand better about their jobs? And how can farmers get the most out of their relationships with agronomists? While ultimately the customer calls the shots, Country Guide asked a few Western Canadian consulting agronomists what they would like to see from their clients.  They […] Read more


VIDEO: Taking awkwardness out of farm family discussions

VIDEO: Taking awkwardness out of farm family discussions

Reading Time: < 1 minute Country Guide and Patti Durand from Brightrack Consulting are excited to bring you AwkwardAg! Patti will be here all summer to answer your questions about those awkward family business conversations you’ve been meaning to have but are hesitant to start. She’ll offer tips and tricks for how to say the right thing, when to say it […] Read more

Larry Durand.

The agronomist wish list: Larry Durand

Summer Series: These agronomists say they have great relationships with their farmer clients, but as with any relationship there is always room for improvement

Reading Time: 2 minutes What do agronomists wish farmers would ask for, or stop asking for, or understand better about their jobs? And how can farmers get the most out of their relationships with agronomists? While ultimately the customer calls the shots, Country Guide asked a few Western Canadian consulting agronomists what they would like to see from their […] Read more