Daily Network News

More News →

Guide Life

“Let life intrude,” says Stephanie Craig.
Features, Guide HR

Target: work-life balance

Life can be better. Even on the farm, real balance can be achieved

By
Reading Time: 6 minutes The struggle to find work-life balance may be “the single most important thing in your life to get right,” says Weyburn, Sask. farmer, Jake Leguee. “It’s also one of the hardest things any of us will ever do.” Farming presents unique challenges for achieving work-life balance. While technologies like robotic milkers and birthing cameras in […] Read more
“I was just a farmer running a farm,” says Stuart Chutter, above. “Then one day I went for a run... I found so many solutions on a gravel road, running.”
Features, Health

Summer Series: Why it’s important for you to get fit

[Make It Count] I’m a farmer. Why on earth would I want to exercise?

By
Reading Time: 8 minutes So much of farming is so physically demanding. Even the easy jobs take enough running around to require physical stamina. And let’s face it, no matter where you are on the farm or who you are, if something is in front of you, the first option is always to just deal with it. This isn’t […] Read more
‘It’s helpful to identify the key knowledge and skills that are needed to be successful.’
Features, Guide HR

Summer Series: The importance of creating clear job descriptions

[Make It Count] If job descriptions sound like a waste of time, you haven’t looked deep enough

By
Reading Time: 5 minutes Yes, job descriptions do take time and effort. And yes, they can seem bureaucratic, like the sort of thing that makes you glad you don’t work for the government. But those in the know say job descriptions on your farm will be worth the investment, and their value will be even more valuable if your […] Read more
‘By creating spaces where individuals feel supported in both their work and their personal lives, employees are more inclined to stay working at the farm rather than accepting a better offer.’
Features, Guide HR

Summer Series: Bringing DEI to the farm

[Change Management] Building diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives into your farm pays off. Here are five tips for getting it right

By
Reading Time: 4 minutes Farm leaders know that in a tight labour market, policies that promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) will help them attract and retain the best talent. Those not making headway on these critical issues will be left behind. That, by the way, is from a business prof, not a sociologist, and in addition to his […] Read more
Left to right: Ryley Schmitt, Taylor Schmitt, Barry Schmitt, Nancy Schmitt, Tyler Schmitt, Ronan Schmitt, Rayelle Schmitt.
Features, Guide HR

If you build it on HR…

This Alberta hay outfit is people first, business second, and boss Barry Schmitt says that’s why they post great numbers. So could their approach work for you?

By
Reading Time: 7 minutes If you build it, they will come, right? Dedicated and hard-working employees will if you follow the advice Barr-Ag has to offer about the “people factor”.– April Stewart, CG Associate Editor If you want something done, ask a busy person. We all sometimes say this, and there’s a good reason why. As generalizations go, this […] Read more
On farms big and small, summer employee-recognition days are catching on across the country.
Features, Guide HR

Time to celebrate

Summer is the perfect opportunity to host an employee appreciation party

By
Reading Time: 4 minutes On a sunny June afternoon, productivity comes to a standstill at Big Marble Farms as more than 300 employees leave the offices, greenhouse and packhouse and spend several hours playing games, navigating obstacle courses, throwing axes and jumping in blowup castles, all as part of the annual Employee Appreciation Day at the farm. “A reduction […] Read more
‘Giving unsolicited advice is a minefield. And how you react when you’re on the receiving end is often just as bad.’
Features, Guide HR

The art of giving and seeking advice

How good are you at giving advice? Better yet, how good would your family and your farm connections say you are at taking it?

By
Reading Time: 6 minutes We all like to know the answer, so when a farm discussion comes up and it’s obvious that a family member, employee or partner is struggling, it feels good to help, especially if the solution seems clever or obvious to us. But if you value those relationships and if you value your reputation, the experts […] Read more
“You have to work together to get a lot of jobs done. You’re going to be there for 12 hours working beside somebody... There’s nothing that makes the job worse than working with a person who doesn’t want to be there.” – Taylor Schmitt.
Features, Guide HR

Next gen talent scouting in agriculture

By
Reading Time: 3 minutes Taylor Schmitt, son of company founder Barry, is operations and business manager at Barr-Ag and is in charge of Middle East and domestic sales as well as domestic logistics. Yet it is on the HR side where Taylor has really come into his own. Over the last seven years, Taylor has interviewed 250-plus candidates and […] Read more
'The redwood forests have a particular smell — moist, evergreen, woody,” said Harold McGee, adding that the bark on the massive trees tends to be flaky, which may contribute to the aroma.' – Harold McGee, Travel Writer
Guide Life

The scent of a place

Healthy vacations have never been more essential for you, the family and the farm. But where to go? Here’s a great idea: let your sense of smell and a favourite aroma guide you on a trip worth sniffing at!

By
Reading Time: 7 minutes The woman who sat down across the aisle from me on my train trip from Florence, Italy, to Milan could have been Gina Lollobrigida’s younger sister. But it wasn’t the striking resemblance or her drop-dead elegance that intrigued me, it was the intoxicating fragrance of flowers and spices that wafted from her carry-on bag on […] Read more
Being proactive and putting plans in place that promote mental health can make coping with that stress more manageable.
Guide Life

The business of mental health

Sick of the stress? These business practices are showing they’re good for the farm, and for you

By
Reading Time: 8 minutes Sure, farmers are tough. They have to be. How could they not know it? They’re told about it from the time they’re kids, raised with the knowledge they will face high levels of stress from unpredictable weather, soaring input costs, supply chain interruptions and so much more, all of it on top of a non-stop […] Read more

AgCanadaTV

AgCanadaTV Special Feature: Crop pest insects to watch out for in 2026

Sponsored by:
More Videos →

Latest Market News

More Market News →