succession Archives - Page 5 of 6

Alison Anderson, the director of Succession Matching.

How to find a successor for your farm

If you don’t have anyone interested in taking over the farm  Succession Matching may be able to help

By Elaine Froese November 25, 2016

It often happens at my succession communication seminars that a weary farmer approaches me with a problem. “Elaine, we don’t have a successor for our farm.” The look of worry and wear on their face makes me want to just sit and listen to their story. When I spoke in Biggar, Saskatchewan a few years […] Read more

Columns

Farm Financial Planner: No heirs? That’s not a problem

A solution for retirement and a legacy for a Manitoba couple with no farm successor

By Andrew Allentuck November 14, 2016

In south central Manitoba, a couple we’ll call the Bretts have a 640-acre mixed farming operation. Jack and his wife, Martha, each 61, have a son, 30, with an off-farm job. Their son is not interested in taking over the family business. It’s inevitable that Jack and Martha will want to leave their farm. It […] Read more

Friends Luke (l to r), Alvin, Gerry and Doug bought a bus to tour the country and stopped by the Froese farm to share a day of harvest.

Farm Life, FarmLife

Reflections on turning 60

I don’t see being in my 60s as retirement but as a reinvention of roles

By Elaine Froese November 9, 2016

I hope that your family has taken time to celebrate Thanksgiving, as I know some farmers don’t cook a turkey until the last crop is in the bin. The words to my favourite song of gratitude are: “Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One, give thanks because He’s given Jesus […] Read more

Farm Life, FarmLife

Communicate better with your farm lawyer

Lawyers have lots of experience and wisdom but they can’t read minds

By Elaine Froese October 24, 2016

Lawyers are the brunt of many jokes, but if you want to have a great succession outcome you better have a great communication plan with your farm’s lawyer! Ontario lawyer Sarah Jacob shared her experiences at a CAFA (Canadian Association of Farm Advisors) update. Would you like to save time and money in front of your […] Read more

Toban Dyck’s wheat yielded well. Toban and his father are running the equipment — Toban stepped out of the truck to take this picture.

Columns, Crops

Making the big move

Living in limbo is hard, but so is making a huge change

By Toban Dyck October 17, 2016

Things are changing for my wife and me. We moved back to the farm in our 30s with a rough plan for how taking over the family operation could unfold. That was in 2012. That plan has changed, and it’s currently unfolding. At least, in part. I’ve been here before. I know how to compose […] Read more

FarmLife

Which shade of control is blocking your farm transition?

One lawyer suggests there are four different types of control that need to transfer

By Elaine Froese September 28, 2016

Elaine, Dad just won’t give up control!” is a common frustration with the next generation trying to navigate into management and ownership. Ottawa-based lawyer Denis Sicotte presents an interesting concept; he calls it “shades of control,” meaning there are four different types of control that need to transfer: 1. Operational Control: The operations, daily decision-making, […] Read more

FarmLife

Does anyone care about the farm?

Some questions for farm families to help create a successful legacy

By Elaine Froese March 25, 2016

I’ve just read David Specht’s book The Farm Whisperer…secrets to preserving families and perpetuating farms. It’s a great, quick read of inspiring questions for farm families wanting to transition management and ownership to create a successful legacy. Specht and I met on the Internet… I Googled him, then picked up the phone, then we exchanged […] Read more

Features

Five habits for a successful farm succession

Unresolved conflicts destroy family businesses. Plan ahead to help your family through the farm succession minefield 

By Michael Flood April 28, 2015

Dr. John Fast, a business planning consultant, bills himself as “The Family Business Doctor.” Judging from the size of the crowd at his talk at this year’s FarmTech Exhibition in Edmonton, lots of farmers are seeking his prescriptions. His presentation, “The Ultimate Management Challenge: Succeeding At Succession,” addressed one of the most difficult parts of running a family […] Read more

Livestock

Quebec ag spending trimmed, tax credits boosted

By Grainews Staff, GFM Network News March 26, 2015

Quebec’s farming sector can expect a noticeable cut in program spending and a handful of tax credits and tax relief coming out of Thursday’s provincial budget. Finance Minister Carlos Leitao on Thursday announced a cut of about 15 per cent in program spending for the agriculture, food and fisheries ministry through the province’s general fund, […] Read more

Columns, Crops

A look back and a step up

When the next generation moves home to the farm, it’s a time for change and role re-evaluation

By Sarah Weigum February 12, 2015

I am somewhat late for the season of “year in reviews,” so I thought I’d do one better and review, briefly, my last three years on the farm. In May 2015 it will be four years since I moved back to the farm, so I’ve been through four crop seasons. When I moved back to […] Read more

China soybean imports hit record June high on strong Brazil shipments

Alberta crop conditions improve: report

U.S. grains: Corn sets contract lows on expectations for big US crop

GFM Network News