us politicians photo illustration

The cycles within economic cycles

Investing for Fun and Profit: The economic cycle, presidential cycle and stock market cycle are separate entities that interact

The S&P 500 — the market I’ll be referencing throughout this article — has been on a tear the past couple of years, leading many to wonder if the hot bull market can continue. It was up 26.3 per cent in 2023 and at time of writing is up about 23 per cent year-to-date. Let’s […] Read more

laying tile

Understanding tile drainage

Tiling can be a good solution for fixing multiple problems, but it can also be complex to install, and costs vary widely depending on the farm. Make purchasing decisions easier by doing your homework first.

Removing excess water is the big payoff for tile drainage. Submerged fields and saturated soils can slash yields, cause salinity problems and even spell the loss of the entire crop, if it’s bad enough. However, it is not an inexpensive fix, nor is it a simple solution, and it won’t work for every farm. That’s […] Read more


people standing in field

Parents retiring, leaving farm to two sons

Farm Financial Planner: A sale of personal assets to a farm corporation is subject to a now-increased capital gains exemption

A couple we’ll call Jared, 68, and Leanne, 66, from eastern Manitoba, have built a successful grain farming operation. They have three sons: Josh, 40; Craig, 38; and Shawn, 36. Jared and Leanne want to work toward retirement. The plan is to have Josh and Craig take over. Josh and Craig have both been farming […] Read more

repairing electronic equipment

Techs finding ways to repair ag electronics

Few in number, they’re a cross between mechanics and IT support

Two “right to repair” bills — Bill C-244 and Bill C-294 — that passed in Parliament and got royal assent last month will give Canadian farmers more latitude to fix electronics on their own equipment. Although the right to repair has been high on growers’ wish lists for several years now, it doesn’t mean all […] Read more


Many farmers have set up multiple barriers against grain theft and are also advised to reduce the number of entry points to their grain storage area.

More heft against theft

What’s new in enforcement and community initiatives? And what are the best ways to ensure you’re not a victim?

Prairie provincial leaders have gotten the message. They’ve listened to farmers and their neighbours in rural areas and are putting more resources and new strategies in place to reduce theft and other crimes. At the same time, farmers have taken the initiative to prevent theft through increased vigilance and investments in cameras, lighting and more. […] Read more

Workers on a paint assembly line at Deere and Co.'s seeding equipment manufacturing plant at Moline, Illinois in 2016.

Editor’s Rant: Next order of business

Given all that’s known so far about the guy, I’m not optimistic. Whether you or I like him or not, though, by this time next month, he’ll again be president of the United States. To anyone suggesting Canadians should just clam up about this development south of the border and mind our own business, I’d […] Read more



lebanon vineyard with tractor

What will a Middle East war do to your costs and prices?

Bonds and Risk: Expect fuel costs to be up, interest costs down

Farmers are caught in a developing cost squeeze. Global oil costs are threatening to balloon from about US$80 today to over US$100 per barrel, which would be a 25 per cent leap. On the other hand, interest rates in the U.S. and Canada are scheduled to decline by as much as 1.5 per cent by […] Read more


Editor’s Rant: Doing their best to adjust

Editor’s Rant: Doing their best to adjust

After reading through all the stories Lee Hart has compiled for you about Canada’s latest crop of Outstanding Young Farmers, I’m more convinced than ever of the OYF program’s value — not just to its immediate participants and alumni but to other farmers and everyone else. If you’d rather read them right away, I won’t […] Read more

The OYF program aims to recognize farmers who exemplify excellence in their field.

COYF: Outstanding, young and (mostly) westbound

Alberta is set to host the national Outstanding Young Farmers 2024 event later this month

Seven farm and ranch families from across Canada will get a look at how agriculture works in southern Alberta in late November, as the regional nominees for Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers (COYF) make their way to Lethbridge for the national awards competition. The seven regional finalists, who represent agriculture enterprises ranging from fruit, vegetable and […] Read more