Search
Better Farming OntarioBetter PorkBetter Farming Prairies

Better Farming Ontario Featured Articles

Better Farming Ontario magazine is published 11 times per year. After each edition is published, we share featured articles online.


Optimism shines in ag survey

Monday, January 17, 2011

by KRISTIAN PARTINGTON

A 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
 
 

Current Issue

February 2025

Better Farming Magazine

Farms.com Breaking News

Farmers—protect yourself from fraud

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay It can happen to anybody. It doesn’t matter how safe you are or how smart you are; there’s always a chance you are going to get scammed over something. And the agricultural community is no exception. One of the latest instances involves... Read this article online

Canadian tech leads the way for egg gender testing

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Photo by Erol Ahmed on Unsplash Canadian Egg Technologies and MatrixSpec Solutions Inc. have announced that their technology is delivering accurate in-ovo gender determination for white and brown eggs as early as the fourth day of incubation. Called a transformative breakthrough for... Read this article online

Nortera celebrates $25M expansion

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

Nortera, a North American leader in frozen and canned vegetable processing, has celebrated the $25 million expansion of its Wright Street frozen warehouse in Strathroy, Ontario. This investment directly supports the local economy by sustaining over 270 jobs and strengthening... Read this article online

Profitable Pastures 2025 webinar series

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

The Ontario Forage Council (OFC) has announced that its is back, providing best management practices for pasture and grazing managers. There will be three webinars airing daily from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm EST over March 4-6, 2025. Registration is required, but there is no cost to... Read this article online

BF logo

It's farming. And it's better.

 

a Farms.com Company

Subscriptions

Subscriber inquiries, change of address, or USA and international orders, please email: subscriptions@betterfarming.com or call 888-248-4893 x 281.


Article Ideas & Media Releases

Have a story idea or media release? If you want coverage of an ag issue, trend, or company news, please email us.

Follow us on Social Media

 

Sign up to a Farms.com Newsletter

 

DisclaimerPrivacy Policy2025 ©AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Back To Top