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U.S. average stock market returns, 1925 to 2018: U.S. stock market average returns have been 40 per cent or higher in five years. Only six of the 94 years have seen losses of 20 or more. In most years, average returns cluster between 30 per cent.
Columns

Why the odds are in favour of investing in stocks

Over the past century, the stock market has vastly outperformed “safer” forms of investing

By
Annual returns from the U.S. stock market have averaged 9.4 per cent since 1900. Over these 119 years, inflation has run 2.9 per cent, so long-term after inflation returns have been 6.4 per cent. Stocks exhibited significantly better real returns than bonds at 1.9 per cent, T-bills at 0.8 per cent and residential real estate […] Read more
Testing seed for pathogens for next year’s crop
Crops, Wheat & Chaff

Testing seed for pathogens for next year’s crop

Q & A with Nutrien Ag Solutions

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Q. When seed testing, what pathogens should we test for? A. In an era of high input costs, unpredictable weather conditions and volatile grain markets, farmers face many challenges even before they get the crop in the ground. Getting seed tested is an easy and inexpensive way to help ensure a healthy crop stand. While […] Read more
Challenges define us. They change the parameters for what’s possible.
Columns

Toban Dyck: Finding the courage to tackle something new

What’s coming next, new crops? New goals?

By
What’s next? It is a difficult question. I’m 39. If I am to take my cues from what others have done in their 40s, soon I will be purchasing a convertible. I write this with a tinge of sarcasm, but I wouldn’t mind a convertible. Realistically, though, I want a 1969 Ford Mustang, the kind […] Read more
Spring runoff typically offers a great kick of moisture to get things started, but if things turn dry, where do you turn?
Columns, Crops

Les Henry: Water information in Western Canada is flowing nicely

Look to these sources for information on where to find water
 during dry spells

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The past few years, growing-season rain on many Canadian Prairie farms has been much less than needed for a good crop. From 2005 to 2014 high snowfall plus much above-average rainfall provided more than enough moisture for crop growth. The excess rain and snow filled the soil and raised the water table by as much […] Read more
Columns, Hart Attacks

Taking the midnight train to Fairbanks

Hart Attacks: I don’t think I have to rush to pack for a ride on the first train north

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While it is good news the first grain shipments in about four years are moving by rail to the Port of Churchill in northern Manitoba this fall — all destined for eastern markets — it was a couple of other railway projects on the other side of the prairies with plans to ship commodities west […] Read more
These photos, taken on August 15 just west of Edmonton, show classic copper deficiency. The field is a sandy loam soil with five to six per cent organic matter. The roadway, built about 10 years ago, has shoulders made up from deep-dug clay loam piled onto the field from the ditch. This clay loam is low in organic matter, probably one to two per cent or less, but high in available copper (see more below, including video).
Cereals, Columns, Crops

Identifying copper deficiency in wheat

Ieuan Evans looks at 2019 growing conditions, including areas where copper levels are low


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In early August in central Alberta I was still seeing yellow fields of canola. Honeybees and mosquitoes were having an extended nectar flowing season. I will stick my neck out as usual and make a few observations and prophecies across the Western Prairies. Crops are late in the northern part of the Western Prairies, but […] Read more
The U.S. and China trade war has upset the calm of what were seen as traditional markets in 2018.
Columns, Markets

Grain marketing in the age of global politics

The world market picture this fall is very different from last November

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Nine months from the start of 2019, our market prospects have changed. It’s easy to say that back in November of 2018, we should have priced more grain for delivery this fall. Last November, markets were holding steady at decent levels, buyer demand was good and grain quality was decent. There was nothing to suggest […] Read more
Farming and investing in the stock market: there are many similarities
Columns

Farming and investing in the stock market: there are many similarities

Both have randomness and volatility; plus, good management doesn’t always lead to good outcomes

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Stock investing and farming entail variability and random chance. Both also create opportunities for profit when randomness and volatility are understood. I introduced the “bell curve” in my last column, demonstrating how portfolios have good and bad outliers, while most stocks clustered around the mean. Does this concept apply to farming? Say you farm 11 fields of canola […] Read more

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