The ‘write’ way

The ‘write’ way

With big stakes at play on today’s farms, it’s more important than ever to make sure what you write sends a clear message

Reading Time: 4 minutes We’ve all had occasions when we’ve read something and we were left muttering, “I have no idea what that person was trying to say.” Not only does poor writing not accomplish the goal of communicating the intended information, it also wastes the time of both reader and writer. The number one goal of good writing […] Read more

If you feel your employee turnover is too high, talk to other farmers with similar-sized farms to see how they compare.

Keep employees on the farm

Do you really know if your employees are thinking of quitting?

Reading Time: 5 minutes Hiring and training the right people is costly, and the last thing you need as you head into the busy season is the added stress of losing a key person. The good news is there is a lot you can do as an employer to keep your staff. Even better, it’s not just about higher […] Read more


If you measure your blood pressure at home, compare your readings with what your medical professional measures at the clinic to gauge the accuracy your home blood pressure monitor.

Guide Health: What you need to know about home testing

With any home test, check to make sure you know what it actually tests for, and that you are aware of its limitations

Reading Time: 3 minutes Home tests give you information about your health or medical condition while enabling you to maintain your privacy. Some home tests are commonly used. Think about the blood glucose or sugar tests you use if you have diabetes, or the pregnancy and fertility tests that help you with family planning. The idea is to help […] Read more

woman with wind in her hair

Lots more time

How to feel less busy while getting more done

Reading Time: 4 minutes When we ask “Where did the time go?” what we really mean is “I have no memory of what I did.” With commitments to the farm and to the family and everything else crammed into our schedules, it can feel like every moment has a claim on it and that taking time to savour the […] Read more


A detailed list of requirements will help ensure that you hire the right person for the job.

Job descriptions

Two farm specialists build the case to prove why job descriptions will save you time, money and aggravation

Reading Time: 4 minutes Are job descriptions worth the effort? Simply put, the experts say the answer is a clear yes. Or maybe we should make that YES! Job descriptions are foundational for good management, says Jade Reeve, manager of agri-jobs at the Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC) in Ottawa. Their usefulness goes beyond recruitment, she adds. “They […] Read more

Though often seen as the plight of the young, about 12 per cent of people have acne flare-ups later in life.

Guide Health: The science of acne and how to control it

Washing your skin and keeping it clean is ideal, but don't overdo it

Reading Time: 3 minutes Acne, scientifically known as acne vulgaris, affects about 80 per cent of people between 11 and 30 years of age, so it is indeed a common skin condition. Even if you are older, you may still experience acne because 12 per cent of people continue to have flare-ups late into their lives. While it is […] Read more


Farmer and red tractor

Men’s health matters

A healthier dad means a healthier family. So come on, guys, man up to these small lifestyle changes

Reading Time: 4 minutes According to a recent survey of Canadian men, a shocking 72 per cent of our husbands and fathers have unhealthy lifestyles based on behaviours including smoking, problem drinking, lack of exercise, and poor diet. The survey of 2,000 men from across the country was conducted on behalf of the Canadian Men’s Health Foundation (CMHF). This […] Read more

Close up of syringe for insulin and Glucose meter with lancet for check blood sugar level on white background using as Medicine, diabetes, glycemia, health care and people concept.

Guide Health: Sorting through the alphabet on diabetes drugs

Diabetes treatment is more complex, but the principles are easy to understand

Reading Time: 2 minutes Insulin, at one time, was the only drug available to treat diabetes. Today there are many different classes of drugs which are often used together, although sorting through the different classes can be confusing. Diabetes occurs when your pancreas doesn’t manufacture enough insulin or none at all. In your body, insulin is used to metabolize […] Read more


The next generation of famers is ready to lead and show their skills using technologies that create opportunities for improvement.

A farmer’s appetite for learning

Continuous improvement: The next generation of farmers is ready to lead

Reading Time: 3 minutes Today’s farmers are confident. They are finding their voices and they are finally becoming viewed as the powerhouses they are. Farmers are hungry to learn and they are also hungry to educate others. They are educating politicians, society and industry on the strength of their operations and on the economic contributions they make. Today’s farmers […] Read more

If your objective is to win the argument, it means you won’t be happy until your spouse loses, which is hardly a recipe for a happy life together.

Tips for handling conflict at home

In a dream world, couples would intuitively know how to handle conflict. In real life, these 15 rules are relationship savers

Reading Time: 4 minutes No matter how much you love someone, disagreements seem to be an unavoidable fact of life. Nowhere is this truer than on the family farm where the lines between business and personal relationships are blurred. The good news is that it’s possible to eliminate 50 per cent of that conflict through better communication, says London, […] Read more