D’Arce McMillan, markets editor for The Western Producer, monitors trends in the North American and global agricultural markets. His latest video update on crops came from the recent 2016 Ag in Motion.
Tag Archives Business/Finance
VIDEO: Canada’s agricultural markets update for July 20
Use your knowledge to your advantage
You know the quality of your grain. Use your knowledge to maximize profits
Pay attention to what you are seeing and hearing at the elevator and from the neighbours in regards to the grade and quality of grain coming off combines this fall. This will help you understand what’s out there and where your production fits into the big picture. Is your quality and protein above or below […] Read more
Rocket man seeks rouging work
In the world of ag business, the dollar figures keep getting bigger and bigger
For anyone a bit reluctant to deal with large (about to get larger) multinational corporations for crop protection products, I am today launching Lee’s Hand Rouging Services — backed by years of experience, I will keep your fields weed free, without chemicals and you just have to deal with me. Of course at the rate […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Manage assets for farm transition
Asset management solves the risk of heavy tax when couple shifts ownership to their son
In western Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Ezra, 58, and Lucy, 56, operate a third generation family farm with 1,280 acres of feed grains, oilseeds and a herd of 60 beef cows. The farm, with a value of $1.25 million plus $100,000 for the farm house, is profitable, but its future is clouded by the […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Building up those off-farm assets
With a big farm and few takers from the next generation, a couple focuses on off-farm assets
On a 4,000 acre farm in southWestern Manitoba, a couple we’ll call Herb, 56, and Lorie, 45, grow grains and raise 600 head of cattle. They have been successful over the years with Herb and his brother buying the family farm in equal shares. That buyout provided Herb’s parents with a retirement income and gave […] Read more
Marketing grain in a dry spring
Understanding Market Bulls and Bears: Dry early season weather can bring marketing opportunities. Be ready to take advantage
Spring is officially upon us, though you could argue that it has been here since Christmas! I have seen equipment in the fields in Central Alberta since mid-March. Everyone wants to get the crop planted, but they realize the risks of seeding early. They may be out on the land more for their state of […] Read more
PHOTOS: Along the Line: Assembling a Massey Ferguson swather
AGCO’s recent 100,000th milestone for swather builds coincides with the 70th anniversary of operations at its Hesston manufacturing plant. In all, the Hesston factory turns out a combined total of about 42 machines of all types each day. And many of the components for those machines are fabricated right from flat steel on site, a process that […] Read more
Farm Financial Planner: Transition: two children, one farm
Sam and Ursula wan to pass the farm onto their son, but share the wealth with their daughter
A farmer we’ll call Sam, 62, and his wife Ursula, 59, farm 10 quarters of grain in central Saskatchewan. Helped by their son, Ernie, and his wife, Maria, both 35, they have developed a very successful operation. The farm generates an average of $175,000 a year and the couple operates equipment for roadwork, snow plowing […] Read more
Manitoba, Canadian farmland values up again in 2015
Farm Credit Canada says the annual percentage increase in farmland values is getting smaller
Manitoba farmland values led the way with the highest average percentage increase in Canada last year, says Farm Credit Canada (FCC). But the pace of increases the last few years here and across Canada is slowing in step with the plateauing of farm cash receipts, and slower drop in interest rates, J.P. Gervais, FCC’s chief […] Read more
Few Canadian feeder cattle going south
The good news is that more slaughter cattle are being processed in the U.S.
Alberta packers were buying fed cattle in the range of $168 to $170 in late March as the beef complex moves through a period of seasonal strong demand. While the market has strengthened considerably since the lows of $155 earlier in winter, feedlot margins remain in negative territory. Break-even pen closeouts are closer to $195 […] Read more
Cyber-Savvy Farmer
