Woman smiling

Life’s secrets, according to you…

People of the world, tell me this — what’s one simple, magical thing 
that makes you smile every time you experience it?

It’s a wonder how much time and energy we spend chasing happiness when really, if we stood still for a moment and absorbed the ordinary, everyday moments, we’d realize that we already have it all. It reminds me of a quote from William Martin: “Do not ask your children to strive for extraordinary lives. Such […] Read more

Success or mess?

In the third part of a series on succession planning, Management Minute focuses in on the family

In our introductory article to this series we looked back over our last 10 years identifying successes and messes we’ve seen in business transitions. We developed an extensive list of reasons why those transitions were successful or what caused them to go off the rails. We grouped this list into five key areas that captured […] Read more



Life’s secrets, according to you…

People of the world, tell me this — what’s the most embarrassing 
thing you’ve ever done? Part three

I’m guessing that all the bumping about on the ski jumps led to the serious loosening of my guts. As I was lining up for the chairlift afterwards to head back up, my stomach started making some very strange sounds. It felt like something was kicking me from the inside –—something large — with a […] Read more


castor bean flowers

Pictures say more than words

Plus, get all the info about castor beans


Today it’s fewer words and more pictures. Right about now let’s say it’s time for a coffee break or tea at 2 p.m. So settle back wherever you are and from whatever you’ve been doing and join me for a time. Take a moment to get comfortable at the lunch counter or kitchen table with […] Read more

A pre-emptive retirement

Farm Financial Planner: Preparing for life in town, a Manitoba farm couple prepares 
to pull an income out of their farm corporation assets

Central Manitoba grain farmers we’ll call Mel and Judy, 56 and 53, are in the process of selling their farm and migrating to town. They are making what you could call a pre-emptive move, for they have two children with off-farm jobs. Neither of the children has an interest in keeping the farm going. Mel […] Read more


Estimating costs of production

If you haven't calculated your costs of production on the farm, government numbers can help get you started

Market analysts don’t always agree on price forecasts, but at every farm marketing presentation at least one analyst gives out the same piece of advice: know your cost of production. Calculating production costs is time consuming and frustrating. As soon as you’re done, the prices change. Here are four reasons to do it anyway: If […] Read more

Man sitting beside red tractor and combine.

The beauty of the harvest

Finally, “next year” came for Prairie farmers in the form of a fantastic harvest

The 2013 crop was “next year” for the majority of Canadian Prairie farmers. Almost all farmers reported pleasant surprises when the combines started to roll. Saskatchewan alone produced 38.8 million tonnes of products that go through a grain auger — exceeding the government target for 2020 of 36.6 million tonnes. Bureaucrats like to pretend they […] Read more


Checking-in on the farm

The best way to know for sure your farm family and employees are safe is to make sure you check on them regularly

Communications are critical for safe farm operations. One often overlooked aspect of farm communications is check-in strategies. Farms are getting bigger, they are getting more equipment and doing more value added operations to increase profitability. Even smaller farms are doing their best to stay competitive and that can mean working alone or working in situations […] Read more

Life’s secrets, according to you…

Start saving from the moment you get your first paycheque, no matter how little it is

Best financial advice? Never confuse your net worth with the numbers in your bank account — you’re not taking any of it with you. You’re worth as much as any millionaire out there. And if one day, you happen to become one of those people who make millions a year, remember this — you’re no […] Read more