Fed cattle prices are expected to trend lower from October 2024 to December 2025.

Cattle market vulnerable to slower economic growth

The Markets: Watch consumer trends for indications of a beef price slowdown

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis in the range of $425-$428/cwt delivered in mid-August. Live prices were quoted at $255/cwt (US$186), f.o.b. feedlot, in southern Alberta. The fed market has come off the summer highs as demand eases moving into the fall period. Monthly restaurant spending on both sides of the […] Read more

Capacity to sit on this year’s crop waiting for a better price won’t be an option available to everyone.

Feeling the pinch

Uncertainty across commodity and input markets creates difficult choices for farmers

Farmers are facing a tight squeeze this fall. Commodity prices are low, and the lower input prices that they’re used to this time of year are not materializing. Keystone Agricultural Producers president Jill Verwey says it’s a tough time for growers. “Being able to make a profit this year is going to be pretty slim,” […] Read more


Stocks do pay more than bonds, for those of us prepared to manage the pain and suffering stocks can wreak en route to that payoff.

What good are bonds?

Bonds and Risk: The price for the greater security bonds provide is that they do pay less on an historical basis compared to stocks

Bonds have long been scorned by investors lured by the seemingly higher returns of stocks. To be honest, on a historical basis, comparing returns over decades, stocks do pay more than bonds — but those stocks pull off this feat with much more pain and suffering. With the higher reward goes the higher risk. For […] Read more

As I’ve already experienced with telcos, declining profitability often leads to declining service levels.

Can Canada’s banks and telcos maintain as reliable performers?

Investing for Fun and Profit: Also includes an update on the latest status of the Titanium Strength Portfolio

This is my 100th column over the past six years for Grainews. I hope you’ve enjoyed the wit and wisdom, albeit limited, and that my musings helped your off-farm investing success. This is also the first column written following the May 15 anniversary of the Titanium Strength Portfolio (TSP). At its outset, the purpose was […] Read more



ho chi minh city vietnam

Energy reflections of our recent Vietnam vacation

Investing for Fun and Profit: In a country facing rapid growth and corresponding energy demand, every day is a smog day

Vietnam is a fascinating country, rich with culture and history. We also visited Cambodia and its renowned ancient temples, the most famous being Ankor Wat, a UNESCO world heritage site. This was my first time in Southeast Asia. The contrasts are ubiquitous, with modern vehicles sharing streets with rickshaws, modern skyscrapers neighbouring hovels, and elite […] Read more


Our questions and thoughts can create great conversations — if we let them.

Watch your words

Seeds of Encouragement: Self-defeating language can kill transition conversations and affect your mental health

Recently in one of our amazing membership coaching calls a farmer sighed loudly about his transition frustration and said, “It is what it is.” This sparked a lively conversation about how we handle our mental well-being, which is often bathed in waves of frustration as we try to navigate the needs and wants of founders […] Read more



In the case of farmers such as Herb and Fred who have separate assets, there may be adverse tax consequences in transferring land from one to the other at book value.

Two brothers want to merge two farms, simplify ownership

Farm Financial Planner: Maximizing the proceeds from their estates for the benefit of charities will take some planning

In south-central Manitoba, two brothers who we’ll call Herb, 75 and Fred, 60, have farmed for more than 40 years. They’ve raised cattle and produced mixed grains. Neither has married and there are no children or other obvious heirs. In their four decades of farming the brothers have built up substantial off-farm assets. There’s enough non-registered […] Read more