aerial view of farmland

Farmland values and rising interest rates

As interest rates rise, farmers are wondering, ‘it this still a good time to buy land?’


On most farms land is the largest farm asset, which means it can also account for the largest portion of farm debt — especially for farmers just starting out, taking over from the previous generation or expanding the business. What can farmers do, in the face of more potential interest rate hikes, to make sure […] Read more

Investing in speculations: an oxymoron

Is that investment you’re considering an actual investment? Or are you speculating?

Are cryptocurrencies and marijuana stocks investments? How about a technology company like Tesla? I can’t seem to have a conversation without being asked about these types of companies, although the cryptocurrency discussion has declined with their prices. Let’s look at the financials of Tilray, a marijuana stock, and Tesla. At the time of writing Tilray […] Read more


Wheat and Canadian Money or dollar or currency in double exposure shot, concept for earnings or spend in Agriculture

Farm debt in Western Canada

Our debt levels are increasing, but our debt-to-equity ratios are holding steady

The headline of an article released by FCC near the end of September was a little worrying: “What does a new high in farm debt mean for the ag sector?” Between 2016 and 2017, total Canadian farm debt increased by 6.6 per cent to more than $100 billion. In Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, the increase […] Read more

Cash flow is king. A simple measurement that helps you evaluate a company

Cash flow is king. A simple measurement that helps you evaluate a company

Investing for Fun and Profit with Herman VanGenderen

What’s more important than profits? Well of course family, friends and health, but what about in a business? My favorite valuation measure is actually cash flow. Everyone has heard the saying that “cash is king.” At today’s interest rates I would argue that cash is a waste of money, but cash flow is king! Most […] Read more


A second chance for good grain prices?

A second chance for good grain prices?

Changes in world markets may give us another chance to lock in high prices

As the summer continued we saw a continuation of hot and dry weather across much of the Prairies and parts of the U.S. central growing region, not to mention other parts of the world like Australia, the EU, Russia and South America. This raised concerns of potentially tightened world supplies which pushed market values back up to the […] Read more




Watching risk and interest rates

Watching risk and interest rates

Guarding Wealth: There’s a gulf opening between the borrowing costs and what you can get on a GIC

Interest rates are rising in the U.S. and Canada. That brings opportunity to those putting money into savings accounts and guaranteed income certificates, but also pressure on those who borrow. Global politics, trade negotiations and the sheer risk of investing are separating returns on investments from the cost of borrowing. Trend setting government bond interest […] Read more



The Cosco KHI231 container ship is 400 metres long, with a deck larger than four soccer fields.

Big boats and Bitcoin boggle me

Keeping up with new technology is a full-time job. Lee Hart hopes there’s no test

Imagine my excitement the other day when I saw China had just launched another of the world’s largest container ships. All I could think about was how much great merchandise this boat could carry to my nearest Canadian Tire Store. So much good stuff — much of it I probably need. But then I read […] Read more