File photo of Rabobank’s office building in Utrecht. (Rabobank.com)

Rabobank to offer Canadian farm-level lending

Dutch co-operative bank's Canadian arm to loan directly to farmers, starting on Prairies

Updated — A global financing firm operating at higher altitudes in Canada’s food and agrifood sector now plans to expand its business down to the farm and ranch level. The Canadian arm of Rabobank — an Amsterdam-based farmer co-operative lender, providing banking, leasing and real estate services in more than 38 countries — announced Tuesday […] Read more

Farmers have a lot riding on agriculture. Investing in public companies that ride the same wave as your farm may not be the best approach.

How do agricultural companies measure up as investments?

Do they make too much money on the backs of hard-working farmers?

A couple of months ago, I penned the article, “Profit is not a four-letter word,” after which I intended to immediately delve into agricultural companies’ investment merits. However, I was diverted to oil company investments after a quote from the director general of the United Nations so perfectly illustrated my points in the “profits” article. […] Read more


In drier Prairie regions, there is less benefit to using enhanced efficiency fertilizers such as ESN or Super-U.

Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 2

Adopt 4R practices appropriate for your farm’s crops, soils, landscapes and agro-ecological areas

In the last issue of Grainews (see ‘Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 1’), I discussed the government of Canada’s target to reduce levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. As stated in that feature, it is my opinion many western Canadian […] Read more

A look at last year's map shows the red has mostly given way to yellow.

Les Henry: Soil moisture map for 2023

This year’s map won’t be a surprise for most farmers

Before we talk about the 2023 map, perhaps we should take readers back to the very first Stubble Soil Moisture Map, which was for the province of Saskatchewan only. It appears on page 109 of Henry’s Handbook of Soil and Water if anyone wants to check it out. As far as I know, it was […] Read more


Figure 1. Nitrous oxide emissions from nitrogen fertilizer in 2018 from the agricultural areas of Canada.

Nitrogen fertilizer management to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, Part 1

4R nutrient stewardship practices could be the only answer needed to reduce emissions

In December 2020, the government of Canada announced a national target to reduce absolute levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fertilizer application by 30 per cent below 2020 levels by 2030. What does this mean for western Canadian farmers? It does not mean a 30 per cent reduction in nitrogen fertilizer use! But it […] Read more

Kristjan Hebert says rather than focusing on how much they’re willing to spend on ag insurance premiums, farmers would be better off considering how much money they’re prepared to lose.

Halsall: Aim for the home run ball

Every year, farmers play a high-stakes game against Mother Nature and all of the other in-season perils, betting their fields will yield a bounty of profitable crops come harvest. It’s risky, of course, which is why crop insurance is such a vital aspect of risk management for many western Canadian producers. But is crop insurance […] Read more



Justine Hendricks, shown here in a 2019 video, is the new CEO of Farm Credit Canada. (Elevate International video screengrab video via YouTube)

EDC executive to lead Farm Credit Canada

Justine Hendricks to replace retiring Michael Hoffort

Canada’s federal farm lender is importing its next chief executive from Export Development Canada. Federal Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Wednesday announced the appointment of Justine Hendricks, EDC’s senior vice-president and chief corporate sustainability officer since 2019, as FCC’s new CEO effective Jan. 30, 2023. As CEO, Hendricks replaces Michael Hoffort, an FCC staffer since […] Read more


(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Feds open up consultations for sustainable ag strategy

Producer groups to have reps on advisory committee

The federal government has enlisted farm groups on the ground floor of consultations toward development of a long-term strategy to “amplify” the adoption and use of sustainable practices in agriculture over the next year. Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau on Dec. 12 announced the launch of public consultations on strategy development, running from now through March […] Read more

Edible mealworms in a wooden spoon

French insect-based ingredients maker Ynsect to expand in North America

U.S. plant would use Ardent Mills' flour milling byproducts

Paris | Reuters — French company Ynsect said on Tuesday it had signed deals to build insect ingredient production sites in the United States and in Mexico as the firm kicks off what it says will be the world’s largest insect farm. Ynsect breeds mealworms that produce proteins for aquaculture, livestock, pet food, fertilizers and […] Read more