The relationship between a farmer and their lender is critical to the success of the farm operation. However, many farmers are unsure of exactly what information their lender is looking for and what will impact their borrowing arrangements. Full Story 

Hiring the right people for the right tasks is one of the greater challenges farm operators face every year. Workplace performance consultant and motivational speaker Michelle Painchaud says employers can avoid a lot of problems by not rushing the hiring process. Full Story 

“Implementing energy conservation strategies can help farms save 15 to 20% of their energy costs,” says Harlow. “Some recent numbers in Ontario show that potential savings to producers from energy conservation alone could be about $66 million.” Full Story 

The drought in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan is severe. With almost no rain since May 1st, current temperatures in the high 30s and high winds, yields have been dramatically reduced. It’s amazing that Russia was the world’s third largest wheat exporter in 2009 but has completely withdrawn from the 2010 market due to production short-falls. Full Story 

As owner/operators of a grain farm in south western Saskatchewan, Scott and Glenn Hepworth struggled to find the right approach with hired personnel. They found that giving people specific tasks and making them responsible for the equipment they use is the best way to ensure a smooth operation. Full Story 

Farmers are jack-of-all-trades. They’re comfortable with the thought of being an agronomist, a chemist, a mechanic, a marketer and whatnot. Jim Hansen expects to do all these things as part of the normal operation of his 2000 acre grain farm in South eastern Saskatchewan. Hansen however wasn’t expecting to become a social worker and help one of his employees deal with his mental health issues. Full Story 

Five farmers discuss their solutions to finding, retaining, and maintaining an effective labour force. Full Story 

Researchers at University of Guelph assess opportunities and risks of biomass crops. “The market for biomass crops is emerging and there are still some uncertainties for growers,” says Dr. Bill Deen. “However, over the next few months we will have some very good biomass crop production information available to help growers make decisions.” Full Story 

A number of western grain analysts have watched the re-emergence of the Former Soviet Union [FSU] republics in the grains export sector, particularly Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan, with increasing concern. Full Story 

Twenty shareholding organic beef producers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba have partnered to develop and launch a line of organic deli meats. Products include beef wieners, jerky, breakfast sausages and smokies. Full Story 

Wet, hot and windy conditions in Ontario this season have provincial agriculture specialists on high alert about spray drift potential. They're taking measures to point out good management practices to operators -- and to make sure farmers know problems created by drift. Full Story 

Two new programs designed to make and market food in Quebec are, supporters say, the fruit of a dynamic new vision for Canadian agriculture. The two new programs -- the Innovative Agri-Food Sector Support Program and the Agricultural Innovation Marketing Support Program -- were recently launched jointly by the federal and provincial governments. Full Story 

Improved varieties and recent agronomic research make winter wheat a good choice. Winter wheat is being touted as a good option for farmers struggling to deal with unseeded or flooded acres that resulted from excessive precipitation during the spring of 2010. Full Story 

We suffer today from food anxiety, bombarded with confusing messages about how to enjoy a healthy and ethical diet. Should we eat locally? Is organic really better for the environment? Full Story 

Manitoba potato growers have been hit with late blight about four to five weeks earlier than normal this year, according to Vikram Bisht, plant pathologist with Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Full Story 

There are no shortages of ideas available on the internet offering suggestions on how to motivate and retain employees. Be aware though some of the perks that are being suggested, such as allowing your employee to use the company truck on his personal time or giving out a gym membership, are taxable benefits and can cause headaches at tax time. Full Story 

Your employee is late? Your child made a mess by spilling milk on the floor? The part you are awaiting impatiently for in order to repair the tractor hasn't arrived yet? You go on vacation, and it rains every day? You made a bad financial decision? Full Story 

New fusarium chemotype has higher DON levels. Cereal crop growers need to sharpen their Fusarium head blight (FHB) management skills because new grading requirements from the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) mean tighter tolerances for Fusarium damaged kernels (FDK). Full Story 

A global livestock production will likely double to meet the needs of 9 billion people according to a landmark World Bank Report. However, it warns of the risks of increasing livestock in regions with severe water, soils and environmental constraints. Full Story 

Being a good employer pays off. Even though Hanmer Seeds is located in the heart of Saskatchewan’s grain belt and has to compete with potash mines and the oilfield sectors for labour, they’ve been able to retain a loyal core group of employees over the years. Their secret behind this remarkable success is to treat them as their biggest corporate asset. Full Story 

For most of us, temptation can arise in various forms. We eat too much fast food or sweets, drink too much, sleep in too late, spend too much money, don’t get enough exercise, put off important matters, etc. However it shows up, temptation frequently gets in the way of our goals, and the more major and distant the goal, the more temptation looms before us to distract us from that goal. Full Story 

As Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan come back into the commodity export markets, prairie farmers should be prepared for fierce competition within the next ten years. Full Story 

Helga Halfinger emphasizes that herb and spice crops are smaller acreage, higher value production, and as with any high value crops, over production can easily flood the market and reduce revenue and opportunities for all growers. Therefore, potential markets must be carefully researched before venturing into new crops. Full Story 

In dealing with non-family employees on a family farm or ranch, here are some points to consider in hiring and keeping the kinds of employees that are reliable and motivated. Full Story 

Have you forgotten to pay a bill and then had to pay interest? After quite a bit of research, have you bought a used tractor to save money only for it to cost you a fortune in repairs? Have you backed out of the garage too quickly and taken part of the garage with you? Have you been impatient with your son and said hurtful things to him? Full Story 

Animal housing facilities and municipal composting operations produce high ammonia levels that can lead to air and water problems. Researchers from the University of Guelph are attempting to develop affordable technologies to capture ammonia produced from agricultural waste, and convert it into a usable resource. Full Story 

Farm economists are predicting agriculture will go through faster sharper cycles in years ahead. While this model can present producers with great opportunities, it also comes with added risk. Full Story 

Kazakhstan has recently become the world’s largest flour exporter - for the fourth year in a row. Countering a worldwide trend of diminishing trade in flour during the 20th century, Kazakhstan has built a world-class milling industry – surpassing Turkey, now in second place for flour exports. Does this indicate a trend change in global cereal exports? Full Story 

What can CFBMC do to serve you better? Please join us to have your say! Full Story 

The Government of Canada has launched an online video as another way to help inform producers about the best on farm practices that can protect livestock and poultry from disease. Full Story 

Consumers and wholesalers now have access to a new online organic producers' directory to help find locally grown organic products. Organic Alberta and the Saskatchewan Organic Directorate launched the directory as part of a collaborative effort to meet the growing consumer demand for information on how to find producers, says Steven Snider, president of Organic Alberta. Full Story 

Biodiesel made from waste coffee grounds and flax oil solves the 'food for fuel' dilemma, says manufacturer. Spotting a thin layer of oil around the edges of a cold cup of coffee was what led Mano Misra to research whether oil from spent coffee grounds could produce biodiesel fuel. Full Story 

Financial advantages accrue from lower processing costs and better yield potential than barley. A new innovative oat variety could change the way cattle feeders background their calves. Full Story 

I’m in a small town at the edge of the city of Zhovti Vody in Ukraine. I’m making a stop on my way home from Kazakhstan to spend a few days with international livestock experts Allen and Tanya Hingston, who are based in Ukraine. The gently rolling landscape is rich in vegetable gardens and field crops - due to the two metre deep black soils, good annual precipitation and no stones. It’s early July and the fields are ripe with winter cereals and canola - and ready for harvest. Full Story 

His goals are simple: to fulfill his needs at your expense. And it can end up costing you dearly. “I can’t do want I want to do. Every time I bring something up, my dad gets mad, cries or sulks for days.” Paul believes he is trapped by his dad’s demands and requirements. Full Story 

"It's important that Canada's agriculture industry takes steps now in planning for higher rate scenarios in three to five years just when the rest of the global economy is picking up and governments may not have an appetite for another bailout," George Brinkman, the former chair of the department of food, agricultural and resource economics at the University of Guelph, said in a BMO outlook Thursday. Full Story 

Expanded market provides farmers with additional revenue A $1.12 million expansion of Schweitzer-Mauduit Canada’s (SMC) flax straw processing capabilities in Manitoba will give farmers an expanded market for their waste flax straw. Full Story 

Consumers shouldn't assume that because a product is organic it's also environmentally friendly. A new University of Guelph study reveals some organic pesticides can have a higher environmental impact than conventional pesticides because the organic product may require larger doses. Full Story 

Birth, growing up, maturing, aging and dying: these are the five steps that mark the course of the "normal" life. However, despite this clear path, the time for passing over continues to generate inner tumult for those who are leaving as well as those who remain. Full Story 

Even though nitrogen is expensive, it’s more economical for farmers to over-apply it than to under-apply it, says a University of Guelph research team. Prof. Alfons Weersink and master’s student Predrag Rasjic of the Department of Food, Agriculture and Resource Economics at the University of Guelph, say farmers apply more than the recommended rate of nitrogen because it’s more risky to not apply enough. Full Story 

In countries around the world, including Canada, corporations, investors, and foreign interests are buying up farmland. The National Farmers Union (NFU) released on June 7, 2010 the first report of its kind documenting Canadian developments in a global land grab. Full Story 

Oilseed Works has invented a unique process for producing food, fuel and carbon credits from oilseed crops. What started as an industrial hemp venture more than 15 years ago, is now a major oilseed food and fuel production system for Oilseed Works Inc. of Barrie, Ontario. Full Story 

For those interested in the changing global grain trade, the June 2010 USDA global market report is a must read. It predicts the next decade will see a major shift in global wheat production and trade. Full Story 

The maker of the best-known brand of glyphosate has put up a Canadian version of an online service it says will help Prairie farmers gauge the risk of glyphosate-resistant weeds appearing in their fields. Full Story 

When driving past many beef operations, the question often comes to mind: Just how profitable do you suppose that farm is? Granted, when it comes to many small-scale beef operations, profit is not the only motivating factor that prompts the beginning of a small-scale farm. There is nothing wrong with non-monetary motivation, but generating a few extra dollars along the way always makes it more interesting. Full Story 

A national forum this fall for young farmers will draw attention -- and potential solutions -- to the many unique challenges young producers face, say youth representatives. “It is great news,” says Frédéric Marcoux, president of the Quebec Young Farmers' Federation. “It’s an idea we’ve been pushing for some time.” Full Story 

Natvik Design produces native trees and plants for agriculture buffers, erosion control, habitat restoration and more recently for living roofs. Native plants are ideal for farm shelterbelts, buffer strips and erosion control and are important to farmers implementing Environmental Farm Plans. Full Story 

Inconsistent yield and quality have kept many growers away from canola in Ontario over the past several years. For example, the blistering hot and dry summer of 2005 saw seed quality in the majority of fields reduced drastically. That led one of the few major crushers in Ontario to reject several shipments of canola seed that arrived at its plant. Full Story 

Are genetically engineered crops going to increase trade or is it a weight around Canadian farmer's necks? The latest political debate on this issue comes with the introduction of a federal bill to look at how new GE crops could harm our export markets. Full Story 

Twenty-one-year-old John Jobson may not have been raised on a farm but he’s become one of the most successful and hard-working new farmers in the region. Full Story 

Technology could improve marketability and help manage harvest risk. For consumers and growers, there is nothing more frustrating than to watch a nice, juicy strawberry or raspberry turn bad. There is a finite time between harvest and consumption, because all berry crops should be harvested as close to ripe as possible since eating quality does not improve after harvest. Full Story 

Farmers on both the Prairies and in Central Asia are losing acreage. In the Prairies, it’s because of flooded land; in Central Asia it’s because of a desperate lack of moisture, where the only significant precipitation this spring has been the snow melt in early April. Full Story 

Starting a new business is always exciting and starting a new farm business in particular is even more exhilarating. Every entrepreneur starts with an idea in his or her mind and who’s to say what will be successful or not. Through the peaks and valleys of farming, planning remains the key to managing risk and building on success. Full Story 

It seems just about every farm which sells direct to the public has a website these days. But how many have good websites? In fact, what is good? In the fast-moving web world, that changes almost monthly. A pretty design and the standard ‘farm fresh’ marketing pitch is oh-so last decade. Full Story 

It is 11 p.m. and my business line rings. I wake up, but I don't have the strength to answer. I've had a long day. It has to stop somewhere, but I feel bad. What if it is an important call? What if it’s an SOS? What if it’s someone saying, “I need help”? Full Story 

Powerless aeration uses ventilating tubes to condition grain and reduce risk. Gary Schreiner was inspired by an old wives’ tale to help save his damp and tough grain. The tale goes that farmers would put a cedar post in the middle of a grain pile to help transfer the heat up and out of the grain. While Schreiner didn’t use cedar posts, he did come up with his own unique way of ventilating grain, called GrainAir Tubes. Full Story 

The current strategy of rebuilding the agricultural sector based on a mono-culture grains industry seems narrow when Kazakhstan has competitive advantages on which to rebuild a strong livestock sector. The skill-sets of both younger and older farmers need to be combined because the challenge for the country is to find the right blend of success from the past and new innovation for the future. Full Story 

Farm work has always been synonymous with health and good physical condition. Is that still the case? Paul has no energy anymore. He wakes up exhausted and gets winded at the least effort. Furthermore, he always has a backache. Full Story 

Agricultural students are being selected by the Canadian Farm Business Management Council to receive cash awards for video submissions that answer the question: "How do changing consumer trends affect farm management responsibilities and styles?" Full Story 

Six hundred million people go to bed hungry every night; that’s one-sixth of humanity. One of the cruellest twists of fate is that more than half are part of the food chain and those going hungry are small farmers and agricultural workers. Full Story 

CSA micro-finance model proves successful for Monforte Dairy A leading example of local entrepreneurship and innovation, Monforte Dairy, southwestern Ontario's premier artisanal cheese company will be opening its new doors in June. Owner and lead cheesemaker Ruth Klahsen, who is also a veteran chef, started Monforte Dairy in Stratford Ontario in 2004. Surprised by having her lease unexpectedly cancelled when it came up for renewal, Klahsen was forced to explore other options. Full Story 

Farm business management guru Gary Pike has a rule-of-thumb to maximize investment in seeding equipment -each foot width should seed 100 acres. Accordingly, a 50 foot air-seeder should cover 5,000 acres to maximize return on capital and minimize fixed cost. Full Story 

After a thorough and intensive comparison process spanning almost a year, CanadaGAP – an on-farm food safety program for fresh fruit and vegetable producers and packers – has been successfully benchmarked against the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) requirements. Full Story 

The proportion of fathers taking time off when their children are born is on the rise. And, while it has had little impact on big corporations that have hundreds of people on staff, it has a tremendous impact on farmers who only have a handful of workers and no one to replace them while they are away for six months. Full Story 

Are your cows worth more than you are? In one way, you are like your cows, pigs, fields and tractors. You cannot produce at your maximum physical and psychological potential by mistreating yourself. Full Story 

Canadian Organic Growers publish handbook and offer training for growers. The demand for local organic food continues to expand across farmers’ markets, home delivery programs and restaurants. Although the demand continues to grow, local growers are challenged to keep up with supply. Full Story 

An April 29th editorial in the Western Producer, titled “Wheat strategy necessary to stave off competition”, warned that Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan are serious new competitors. But are we making it worse for Canadian farmers by providing technical assistance to the emerging competitors in the export market? Full Story 

Perhaps you’ve had a day when it seemed everything was crumbling around you, as if a tsunami were destroying everything in its way, leaving behind an emptiness that nothing can fill. Shock, uncertainty, disgust, anger, sadness, discouragement—the entire range of emotions pass through you. Full Story 

Canadian cows jump on Twitter bandwagon - The Teat Tweet Dairy Diary is an art project conceived by the critical media lab at the University of Waterloo, with the help of Brant, Ont., farmer Chris Vandenberg and his favourite cows, including Frosty Lace, Jerry J Lo and Kurt Appeal. Full Story 

“The recession is truly over; it’s not something we economists cooked up,” announced Carlos Leitao, Laurentian Bank's top economist speaking to the 800 or so attending CRAAQ’s Feed the planet: constraints and perspectives conference in St-Hyacinthe on April 27th. Full Story 

More than 270 quality controlled stations linked with ACIS website provides local weather data. Alberta’s network of weather stations will not make it rain, but the Alberta government’s AgroClimatic Information Service (ACIS) provides farmers and agrologists with better information and farm management planning tools. Full Story 

Kazakhstan has become one of the world's biggest wheat and flour exporters despite high international transportation costs. There are, however, substantial production challenges with annual precipitation about the same as Regina and steady winds similar to Swift Current. Soil moisture management is the primary problem for stable production. Despite the adoption of some Canadian conservation tillage equipment, the biggest part of the solution is the management aspect. Full Story 

Wind power is becoming a popular renewable energy source in Ontario, with wind turbines appearing at a steady pace all over southern Ontario. Farmland in these areas is a prime location for wind power developments. Questions have arisen about the wind farms’ effect on farmland values, but a new study shows that in one township which has over 130 turbines, the effect has been nil. Full Story 

Feedback helps to develop another person’s skills or improve our relationship, but we have to know how to give it. “Honey, your pâté is very good, but you should put more spices in it. But don't worry, I think you're an excellent cook.” What will this spouse hear, the compliments, the criticism or neither? Full Story 

If you want to hire a University of Saskatchewan agriculture student for summer of 2011, you better plan on hiring one early. Students in University of Saskatoon’s agriculture and biology departments had barely started their Fall 2009 semester when scads of companies started setting up information kiosks to try and recruit them for summer 2010. Full Story 

BCAFM launches MarketSafe program for farmers’ market vendors. The BC Association of Farmers’ Markets (BCAFM) recently launched a new program for farmers’ markets and other types of temporary food markets, including those who sell direct from the farm. BCAFM represents 93 farmers’ markets across BC, with over 3000 vendors. Full Story 

Far from his home in Saskatchewan, Al Scholz has been contracted as a research agronomist on a 5,200 [12,000 acre] demonstration farm in northern Kazakhstan. He will provide a weekly commentary on farm business management in Kazakhstan and how Canadian farmers can relate. This commentary will be featured on farmcentre.com from May - October 2010. Come join Al on his journey! Full Story 

The BIB was developed as a result of farmers wanting to go beyond producing a basic product and add more value to capture new or emerging marketplace opportunities and capture higher returns. Full Story 

Darwin clearly demonstrated that, as do all species, human beings must constantly adapt to change or risk disappearing. In agriculture, as in business, we must constantly adapt, thus changing in order to survive effectively in a competitive world. In fact, change is the only constant. However, change for its own sake is far from beneficial either economically or from a human perspective. So, how do we make sure that we are changing for the better? Full Story 

No one likes to clean the barn. But instead of racking their brains trying to figure out how to get employees to do the task more quickly and effectively, Denis Ouellet, owner of a feedlot in Lanaudière, Que. with his wife Josée Rainville tried out what they learned from Fletcher Peacock, a keynote speaker at the CFBMC’s Managing Excellence in Agriculture Conference in St-Sauveur, Que., in 2001. They turned to their employees for a solution. Full Story 

Vive Nano uses a novel, green-chemistry platform to produce nanoformulations for crop protection products. Full Story 

The Commission des relations du travail (CRT) (Quebec labour relations board) opened a Pandora's box when it gave Quebec farm workers the right to unionize on April 16, 2010. Whether or not the decision is appealed, a number of fruit and vegetable growers have already decided to change the way they run their business. Instead of focusing solely on yields, they plan on increasing their efficiency. Full Story 

Multiple economic rebounds constantly challenge your will to stay the course when it comes to the most important thing: profitability. Full Story 

The power of less. We have never had so many tools, methods, techniques and so much information available to help us be more productive. However, many offers and proposals lead to less productivity and satisfaction and thus to more stress and chaos. If we could cut down on all that we had, would we then be more productive? Full Story 

Renewed Discussions Begin on Policy Implications of Farm Size Full Story 

If misery truly loves company, export-dependent Canadian farmers and manufacturers have lots to commiserate over – both have been absolutely hammered by the high loonie. Full Story 

Royal Dutch Shell blends cellulosic ethanol with gasoline. "We continue to demonstrate that low GHG cellulosic ethanol can be produced in significant quantities at our Ottawa demonstration facility, and that it performs well in all vehicles and uses whether that involves race cars or regular vehicles and everyday driving," says Mandy Chepeka. Full Story 

A recent case study from the Value Chain Management Centre is the first in-depth examination of a Canadian agri-food value chain, from primary production through to retailing the product. It is also the world's first analysis of the co-innovation capacity of a specific chain in either crops or red meat. Full Story 

Why is it so difficult to give positive feedback, congratulate and point out good actions? "I have the impression that it diminishes me; it makes me feel weak." "If he knows he’s good and believes he’s irreplaceable, he may take advantage of the situation and demand a raise." Full Story 

Long hours, cash flow problems, labor shortages, machinery problems, market fluctuations and weather worries; farming is a stressful occupation. That's why Pascal Thériault, faculty lecturer at McGill University's MacDonald College says it's important for producers to take the time to develop good stress-management skills. If they don't, stress can lead to burnout and a host of illnesses or injuries in the future. Full Story 

PICO helps accelerate tree fruit commercialization in BC and nationally. "It is increasingly more difficult in the world to access new tree fruit varieties from other breeding programs," says John Kingsmill. "PICO has a Canada First Policy to give Canadian growers preferential access to the commercialization of new varieties." Full Story 

With the high increase in farm values today, you may have begun to wonder how a transfer to your next generation will ever be possible. Today, the capital gain exemption available on shares of family farm corporations, or on farm properties and quota (if not incorporated), is $750,000 per individual. With the price of quota and land, many family farms are worth well in excess of $3 million. Full Story 

It takes a great deal for these workers, who are invested in the important mission of feeding us, to let go. In critical moments, they want to save their business, livelihood and family heritage. This superhuman challenge can lead to loss of all three if they do not know how to react, because health is worth little in their scheme of things. However, they know that healthy farming takes healthy farmers. By focusing on family and balance, they can avoid pushing themselves too hard or becoming sla Full Story 

It is synonymous with well-being, perceived health and life satisfaction. "Twenty years ago, we went downhill skiing about 15 days a year, my wife and I, but now, finding one day is a miracle. Also, I can tell you that when I do have one, I’m so tired that I don't feel like going anymore." Full Story 

It is estimated that by 2050 there will be 9 billion people on the planet. A looming question is how farmers are going to provide this growing population with healthy, safe, accessible and sustainably produced food from fewer farms and with diminished human capital. This was the challenge issued to participants in the fifth Nuffield Farming Contemporary Scholars Conference in Washington DC and Pennsylvania. Full Story 

Eliminating random wheel compaction can increase yields. "Much of the CTF research and adoption is occurring in Australia," says Peter Gamache. "The Alberta project is an opportunity to begin testing the Australian experience in Alberta conditions and to look at the equipment issues. It is an opportunity to evaluate the agronomic and economic implications of CTF." Full Story 

Young farmers in Quebec | Young Farm Workers Training Workshop | Interesting Subject Matter for Young Farmers Full Story 

With no current family members involved in agriculture, Caitlin Hall wasn’t eying a farming job when she entered university. Yet now, as she prepares for her fourth year on the land, it’s abundantly clear she has become a successful new farmer with both short and long-term plans in the agricultural world she has embraced. Full Story 

All of our personality traits, when they become rigid or exaggerated, are painful for us and those around us. From the outside, this company looks successful. It has everything going for it: an average of more than 12,000 kg of milk a year, an indebtedness ratio of less than $100/hectolitre, shiny tractors and machinery, well-managed fields and a spotless barn. However, nothing is going well for Luc anymore. Full Story 

"We produce a wide variety of the best quality vegetables using sustainable and organic farming practices." Those words sum up the goal of the 2010 Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers, Steve and Lisa Cooper. The Coopers of Coopers CSA and Maze near Zephyr, south of Lake Simcoe in Durham Region, received the top honour at the provincial awards ceremony held in Belleville on Tuesday March 30th. Full Story 

EcoSynthetix Inc. has developed a proprietary biobased alternatives to petrochemical products. "Dedicated specialty crops for biomaterials are going to be something really big in the future," says van Leeuwen. "This industry will continue to grow and the interplay between the industry and the farming community will be even more important." Full Story 

The Manitoba and federal governments will cover veterinarians' visits to assess biosecurity and risk for Johne's disease on beef and dairy farms, respectively. Full Story 

“Charisma is the quality of a person who seduces, influences or even fascinates others with his or her speech.” People with charisma usually stand out. They have something special about them that makes them exceptional people. How much charisma and what style do you have? Curious? Take the test! Full Story 

The Safe Farms Check Program provides management practices that will help you, as a producer, ensure the safety and health of everyone on your farm. This manual outlines the steps needed to implement effective farm safety and health programs for your operation. Full Story 

Nova Scotia organic vegetable producers Josh Oulton and Patricia Bishop are Atlantic Canada’s 2010 Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF). Josh and Patricia bought their first vegetable farm in 2004 with a desire to provide healthy, delicious food. Farming gives them opportunities to embrace challenges, and enjoy the independence to make decisions, adapt and grow. Full Story 

ARECA’s 72-page manual is the first Western Canadian guide that covers the many areas of precision farming. “To have precision farming technology is fine, but what do you do with all the information?” asks Ty Faechner. Full Story 

Entrepreneurs cannot be successful without healthy doses of self-confidence and self-esteem, but there is too often an excess of those two ingredients. Nonetheless, in the right amounts, they are crucial factors in success. Just as in any other recipe, having more than we need is not necessarily a good thing. Full Story 

Through tax credits, the federal government’s Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) program rewards Canadian businesses that are forward thinking in their everyday businesses activities, who develop new or improved technologically advanced products or processes through systematic experimentation efforts. Full Story 

“My father didn’t want a “fag” to succeed him,” confided 27 year old Charles. “I didn’t speak to my father again for five years.” The young man also attempted suicide twice. Full Story 

First commercial vineyard and winery in Saskatchewan finds success. “Wine is something people associate with the good life,” says Marie Bohnet. “Therefore, a winery business means you have to do everything very professionally and make it a quality experience for your visitors.” Full Story 

Can you imagine doing this – starting with a single eight-foot-table in Vancouver’s Granville Island market and building a produce company with 27 stores and more than $60 million in annual sales? That’s what brothers Kin Wah and Kin Hun Leung have done in just 17 years. Full Story 

Guelph Millennium asparagus has outperformed traditional breeds and captured 70 per cent of seed sales in Ontario since 2005, putting it at the top of its market. Research at the University of Guelph is working towards enhancing many of its traits even further, including disease resistance and antioxidant levels, to push the next generation of hybrids past the limits of conventional asparagus production. Full Story 

Step Up! Step Up to the plate and become a mentor to a youth interested in jumpstarting their career in agriculture, or if you’re a youth looking to start your career in farming become a mentee. Full Story 

Alternative Land Use Services program puts a value on farmers conserving and restoring natural capital. “ALUS recognizes that farmers produce more than goods and services. They also produce ecological goods and services with a value to society. This is a way to provide a financial incentive for those ecological services,” says Jim Fisher. Full Story 

The Canadian Association of Diploma in Agriculture Programs (CADAP) is announcing a national initiative entitled "Ditch the Office". The objective is to increase knowledge of agricultural career opportunities among high-school students across Canada. Full Story 

Farm safety training saves life: "I knew what to do, we all knew what to do." Last summer, King played the victim in a grain bin rescue training session at North Gower Grains, a session that saved his life in a recent farm accident. Full Story 

Honibe develops the world’s first pure non-sticky Honey Drop™. “Honey is the best natural unrefined sweetener and we have discovered a way to make it easy and less messy to use,” says John Rowe. “Our process has enabled consumers and manufacturers to use honey as a sweetener in their products often for the first time.” Full Story 

An online survey of Canadian producers conducted by Farm Credit Canada (FCC) indicates that almost nine in 10 respondents (87 per cent) are interested in pursuing at least one agricultural safety training topic. Full Story 

TATAMAGOUCHE, N.S. – Education and learning from an established farmer/mentor were keys to the success of second year farmer Cammie Harbottle. While the 28-year-old British Columbia native hadn’t even considered farming until she was a 20-year-old university student, she says the decision was clearly the right choice, adding “it just made sense to me to grow food for people and to be outdoors.” Full Story 

Investing in renewable energy sources is made easier with a new loan from Farm Credit Canada. “We are definitely seeing an increase in the number of people across the country that are interested in renewable energy sources to reduce costs and demand on the energy grid,” said FCC’s President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Stewart. Full Story 

Labour legislation in some parts of the country allows farm workers to join unions and many farmers find the concept of having to work through a union, instead of directly with their employees, to be very threatening. But if you have established good lines of communications and fostered a climate of good faith and understanding in the workplace, employees likely won’t feel a union is necessary. Involving a third party, including a Human Resource (HR) consultant, to help with the process or resto Full Story 

With communication, greater self-awareness increases your effectiveness in communication, one on one as well as in groups, improving your interpersonal skills and making it possible to establish better human relationships. Here is how the Johari window can help you improve your communication. Full Story 

I am often asked by individuals and corporations what their withholding requirements are when they hire seasonal or contract workers on their farms. The answer, as with so many tax questions, is “it depends.” The main issue to be determined is whether the worker is considered to be an employee or is an independent contractor. Full Story 

McCain focuses on improving energy efficiency and wastewater treatment at its Carberry plant. “McCain’s energy efficiency strategies and upgraded wastewater treatment at the Carberry Plant are a great example of a win-win,” says Justin C. Walsh. “These types of programs are good for the environment and good for business.” Full Story 

At one time or another in our lives, we have all had to face fear, to varying degrees and for a variety of sometimes inexplicable reasons. Once we become adults, we become familiar with other types of fears and anguishes that we use to overcome in order to eliminate the paralysing effect they have on us. Just like the child’s nightlight, a flashlight could well be the solution to bring us out of the impasse if none of the tools in our personal toolbox has brought conclusive results to this point Full Story 

Some people will think that’s funny. Others will see it as a sign of weakness or laziness. Nevertheless, a short daily nap can mean life or death. What do the following have in common: the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the wreck of the Exxon Valdez and the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster? Full Story 

Bill Harder loves driving a grain cart during harvest. He enjoys the opportunity to use the fancy equipment farmers have nowadays, and the two way radios are fun. Most of all the retired grain buyer enjoys the social interaction and helping get the crop off. He likes being able to give a helping hand during the peak season, until he goes south for the winter. Full Story 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business says AgriStability needs improvement. In a recent overview of Canadian agriculture business, CFIB found confidence in the agriculture sector continues to lag behind other industries with an index of 54.5 (the national index sits at 66.9). Full Story 

Natural Pastures Cheese Company adds value to dairy farm. “Our largest challenge is to fill the demand for our cheese. We still want to keep our artisan hands-on approach to cheese making and keep the quality that gave us our award-winning reputation,” says Edgar Smith. Full Story 

Although the current, weary economic climate has resulted in lower feed, fertilizer and fuel costs, chances are, as soon as the economy starts to pick up, these aspects will all start to increase again too. Full Story 

AgriTalent.ca — the first national online database of agriculture training programs. Full Story 

Pilot project leads to new composting business model. “In the past, farmers have not been adequately paid for their efforts, so these types of programs almost always failed. Our business model works at building long term relationships so that all parties benefit,” says Michel Dufour. Full Story 

University of Guelph seeks producer opinions for sheep and goat research. Full Story 

Do you enjoy your annual review with your banker? I don’t know of many producers who do. It can also be uncomfortable when you need to make a special visit to obtain additional financing for a new piece of equipment or to buy a neighbor’s piece of land that just came up for sale. Full Story 

Betting on the success of an association solely because we are members of the same family is far from being a sure thing. “When they were little, they played together so well that I was convinced they would make a good team later on.” Full Story 

GLENCOE, ON – David McEachren admits as a young boy he had ambitions “that were all over the map” but he knew from a fairly early age he was destined to be a farmer. Full Story 

The Ottawa Valley Food Co-operative develops successful local food system. “Although it is hard work to build a local food system, it is very rewarding,” says Christina Anderman. “A local system also helps to get more money directly into the farmers’ pockets.” Full Story 

Finding good reliable people to work on a farm operation is challenging at the best of times. If you are in the process of starting up, winding down or transferring your operation however, the problem easily can multiply exponentially. While there are no miracle solutions, Martine Deschamps, who specialises in HR questions and farm transfers in Chateauguay, Que., offers a few ideas that can help mediate the problem. Full Story 

The human body is a marvel from which we fully benefit without being aware until the day when a piece of its “hardware” breaks down and modern medicine is unable to do anything about it. Full Story 

Gen Yers have had more than their fair share of negative press. But, if you look past the tattoos, the flip-flops and the Ipod’s, you have a generation that has a tremendous skill set. Employers looking for ways to win new talent are finding that catering to Gen Yer’s needs and investing in human capital in general, are well worth the trouble. Full Story 

When you’re passionate about what you do, it’s easy to get distracted and let the activity in question take over your entire life. He has retired at least four times and even starred in a humorous commercial questioning if his latest retirement was for real. I recently realized that, even for Michael Jordan, it was not easy to pass the torch. Full Story 

“The pilot project is designed to simulate normal operating conditions throughout the year,” says Cameron Zimmer. The Saskatchewan Research Council is leading a biodiesel pilot project. Full Story 

The Ontario government has a plan in place to increase the hourly minimum wage to $10.25 by 2010. It is important to understand the impacts of this change on various segments of agriculture, especially those with large numbers of minimum wage earners. Full Story 

Glen and Scott Hepworth operate a grain farm near Assiniboia, Sask. with the help of two part-time employees. They’re hoping to find a young man over the winter to join their operation on either a full or part-time basis. There ideal applicant would be someone who’s reliable and looking for long term employment. They won’t be relying on the internet to find him however. They’ll be putting an ad in the local paper. Full Story 

Large businesses, whether they are growing or declining, regularly use the services of outside consultants to reshape or improve their broad-scale management. Full Story 

Constructive criticism is evaluation intended to help us improve our behaviour. Unfortunately, it often proves to be destructive. Full Story 

“My goal has always been to get more biocontrol products into the hands of growers,” says Deborah Henderson. Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Institute of Sustainable Horticulture opens Canada’s first incubator for biocontrol products. Full Story 

In June, 40-year-old Shane Dawley and his 36-year-old wife, Rhonda, uprooted themselves and their four boys from their suburban Atlanta rental home and bought an old five-acre farm in Ogdensburg, Wisc. Their goal: Flee the rat race and adopt a more self-reliant lifestyle amid the troubled economy. Full Story 

An expensive lifestyle can damage your credibility as a manager and your ability to effectively manage your business. Maybe you’ve heard of the game show Devine combien je gagne ? (Guess how much I make?) on channel V, hosted by François-Étienne Paré. This game show is a pretext for discussing one of the last taboos in Quebec society. Full Story 

Robitaille’s placement involved production management operations of the dairy farm, starting with self-sufficiency in the barn. While some of the work may be viewed as basic chores, Robitaille maintains, “A lot of those things can’t be learned in a book or in school, so you have to learn them by doing them.” Full Story 

Robotics, 3D vision sensors and automation technology reduces costs and improves product quality for food processors. “Our systems can add value to food processing systems at points where inspection, quality control, sorting, packing or conversion and optimization of products occurs,” says Michael Boudreau. Full Story 

At the annual convention of the North American Farmers' Direct Marketing Association in Calgary a couple of years ago, organizers offered a seminar entitled "The New Classic: Creating an upscale urban farmers' market with down-home country Chutzpah." Full Story 

Safety first! Safety is a very important aspect of farming as the number of farm-related injuries is on the rise. You need to be able to properly evaluate the hazards and especially the dangers to your child. Full Story 

For one year, a dozen cows on an area dairy farm will be “tweeting” as well as mooing. It’s all part of an effort to better understand the relationship between humans and the increasingly high-tech farming industry. City Hall in Kitchener figures prominently in the project. Full Story 

We're making progress. In an op-ed essay the other day in The New York Times, evolutionary biologist Jared Diamond - author of the huge 1997 bestseller Guns, Germs, and Steel (with more than 1.5 million copies sold) - publicly retracted his earlier conviction that "big business" was environmentally destructive, greedy, evil and inexorably driven by short-term profits. Full Story 

Canadian study shows dramatic GHG reduction from ethanol and biodiesel. The renewable fuel industry in Canada is breathing a little easier with the release of a new study that looked at the impact of biofuels on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – and the rest of us can also breathe easier. Full Story 

Environmental practices require substantial money . . . and that’s something small farms can lack Small farms with modest gross farm sales are failing to implement as many best management practices (BMPs) as bigger operations with significantly higher sales, say University of Guelph researchers. Full Story 

It happens to all of us: we set goals and in the end are not able to reach them. Some of the questions listed below can certainly help you to assess the quality of your goal and the probability of reaching it. Importance: how important is your goal? If you rate it only 6/10, you may give it up when you encounter the first obstacle. Full Story 

Your wealth and assets are exposed to risks daily. Those risks increase greatly if your assets are involved in a business activity, such as farming. Insurance can mitigate some risks and is also an important part of an asset protection strategy. Full Story 

Researchers develop mobile fast pyrolysis technology to convert biomass to bio-oil. “We would like to see this technology become a business and revenue opportunity for farmers,” says Dr. Franco Berruti. “This portable trailer unit could be moved from farm to farm during the harvesting season to convert the leftover organic materials.” Full Story 

Researchers develop mobile fast pyrolysis technology to convert biomass to bio-oil. At the University of Western Ontario, researchers have developed a fast pyrolysis technology that converts waste biomass materials into bio-oil and other valuable products. Full Story 

We learn to lie from a young age, as a self-protective reflex, in order to avoid punishment or displeasing others. Children know instinctively that disobedience can get them into trouble. And yet, lies allow us to avoid such unpleasantness. Full Story