Optimism shines in ag survey Monday, January 17, 2011 by KRISTIAN PARTINGTONA nationwide Farm Credit Canada survey released Monday concludes there are healthy signs of optimism sweeping through the Canadian agriculture industry. More than three-quarters (76 per cent) of respondents believe their businesses will improve over the course of the next five years and two-thirds of respondents say they are better off today than they were five years ago. The annual survey sought the opinions of 4,900 producers and agri-business owners who participated through in the national agricultural lender’s panel, which consists of more than 9,000 individuals with ties to all aspects of agri-business. In an interview Tuesday, FCC Western Ontario Vice-President Barry Smith said that the survey’s participants were not necessarily FCC customers or clients.Smith said favourable commodity prices are among the factors that have helped create the positive outlook. In his region farmers have had high quality crop yields. Agri-business owners are also confident in the ability of new technologies to advance growth in emerging markets such as India and China, he said. Closer to home, society is more supportive of the industry. That support boosts morale. “The alertness of a healthier lifestyle is taking hold, he said. "People are more concerned about where their food comes from and they even want to be more connected to who is providing that food.”“The whole industry, whether it be in Western Ontario or across the country, is trying to keep economies of scale in mind and will continue to consolidate and land values continue to increase. That’s driven by optimism.”Optimism breeds optimism, he said, and “for lenders, it’s fun. You’re dealing with people who are keen about the industry and the business they’re in and it’s much more fun than lending in tough times.” In Monday’s news release, Smith noted “for cattle and hog producers, it’s not as favourable,” and described those producers as “cautiously optimistic.”Farm Credit Canada is Canada’s leading agriculture lender and this fourth annual survey will be used as basic knowledge in the management of its $20 billion portfolio, Smith said. BF Too soon to end SRM compensation warn farm groups, processors Case DC 4 This Year's Farm Show Model
Be ready for your next flat tire Friday, May 30, 2025 By Braxten Breen Farms.com Intern The Andersen Hitches Rapid Jack is a three-in-one tool - a tire jack -- that can also be used as a post block or a wheel chock. Its main purpose is to help change tires on trailers, and this cool tool is made in the USA. It is an innovative Tire Jack... Read this article online
An Ontario Foodbelt? Two MPPs want to see it happen Friday, May 30, 2025 Ontario has a Greenbelt and a Whitebelt, and if two MPPs are successful with a piece of legislation the province’s future will include a Foodbelt. Green Party of Ontario Leader Mike Schreiner (Guelph) and independent MPP Bobbi Ann Brady (Haldimand-Norfolk) tabled Bill 21, the Protect Our... Read this article online
Livestock Research Innovation Corporation welcomes new board members Thursday, May 29, 2025 Two new board directors have joined the leadership of Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC). Mohamad Yaghi with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) and Sonya Fiorini from Burnbrae Farms both fill appointed director positions on the LRIC board. Yaghi replaces Franco Naccarato from Meat and... Read this article online
Canadian Farm Income Sees Sharp Decline Thursday, May 29, 2025 In 2024, Canadian farmers experienced a significant financial setback, with realized net income dropping by $3.3 billion, or 25.9%, to $9.4 billion according to Statistics Canada. This marks the steepest percentage decrease since 2018. When cannabis is excluded, the drop stands at... Read this article online
Did you Know you can Experience IPM 2025 in the Comfort of Your RV? Thursday, May 29, 2025 The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) is making a grand return to Niagara this fall for the first time in nearly a century. Visitors can now stay close to the excitement by booking a spot at the official IPM 2025 RV Park. Located just steps away from the main action, the... Read this article online