An interesting point made this morning here in Ottawa, is that Canadian farmers need to be prepared to talk to the media. Don’t hide, don’t be evasive, don’t say anymore than you have to, but if you are faced by a reporter or a news camera looking for comment or reaction on an industry, environmental […] Read more
Farmers be prepared for the media
What’s the fix for Canadian beef industry?
I lied in one of my earlier blogs. I don’t have an effective, sure-fire, three-point solution for fixing the Canadian beef industry. But I am hoping some of the readers do and can send me their thoughts. The search for a solution follows a conversation I had a couple weeks ago with Gary Etherington, a […] Read more
When did farming become comfortable?
I was going to write today with a short analysis of the problems facing the beef industry, followed by an effective three-point strategy for returning the cattle business to sound profitability, but that will have to wait. Today my mind is on tractor comfort. The following underscores the fact that I am getting older. This […] Read more
What does an adept marketing advisor offer? Sales in the top third of the market is one thing. Peace of mind that you’ve done the best you can is another
Chad Peters has no doubt that a marketing consultant is helping him achieve a higher return for the wide range of grains, oilseeds and pulses produced on his southern Saskatchewan farm. An important, non-monetary side benefit to this hired marketing assistance is that he sleeps better at night. Peters, who along with family members, crops […] Read more
Many Crop Contracts For 2010
Dozens of companies across Western Canada offer a variety of contracts ranging from futures contracts that can help you price a still-planned commodity over the next year or two, to purchase contracts that basically say “show us the quality of what you have in the bin and we’ll figure out a price and delivery schedule.” […] Read more
Farmers Share Marketing Plans
Just as every farmer has a formula for growing crops, many Prairie producers use a wide range of marketing tools to get the best price available. Here are some of the strategies this month’s farmer panel uses in hopes of being profitable in an always changing market. DOUG MCBAIN CREMONA, ALTA. Malt barley was the […] Read more
This Analyst Pays Virtual Visit
Based on the principle that a picture is worth a thousand words, western Canadian grain marketer David Drozd has developed an online marketing service that lets farmers tap into his marketing expertise 24-7-365. Drozd, who founded Ag-Chieve Corporation seven years ago, has this year launched an online resource centre so clients can read up-to-date reports […] Read more
Zero-Till Drill Helps Make Hay
Having to cope with clouds of mosquitoes this summer while cutting a rejuvenated hay crop was a relatively small price for Alberta ranchers James Hargrave and Archie Sabin to pay. At least they had hay to cut. That hasn’t always been the case on their extensive southeastern Alberta ranching operations that lie northeast of Medicine […] Read more
'Performance Matters' for staying in touch
It has been a big socially connected week for me. I had about 20 birthday greetings from Facebook friends, I received an email from Prime Minister Harper, another from Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and an inspiring ‘Performance Matters’ video clip from Canterra Seeds (see website below). I had Facebook birthday wishes from friends and family across […] Read more
Argentinean Saint Provides Long Fall
Bob Mastin, a seed grower from Sundre, Alta., may be thanking a broken luggage carousel in Germany and a saint from Argentina for help in harvesting a decent oat seed crop this fall. It sounds a bit far fetched, but here is how this true story unfolds. Part 1: Mastin, who has been a seed […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
