Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Agriculture Real Estate??

I am interested in knowing any thoughts on what farmers are looking for from an ag real estate ad or realtor. I want to know the type of person you might want to be looking on your behalf and what type of qualifications they  have to help you.

- is it better that they tell you right out about their farming experience or should they prove it to you through their use of knowledge

- How do you go about finding farm land, hobby farm land, or acres with a home on it?

Any thoughts and advice would be great :)

mac

Views: 143

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by OntAG Admin on July 4, 2011 at 9:45am

Hi Mackenna,

If you are looking at farmland, I would stick with someone who knows agriculture.

We have alot of good members on www.realestate.farms.com website.

Hope this helps,

Joe

 

Permalink Reply by David Kopriva on July 5, 2011 at 3:55am

What great questions.

First of all if you are selling a farm you have to prove its viability especially if it is an existing operation. Too many realtors are very inexperienced when it comes to selling the business end of the farm. They show the houses but nothing on  the operation and cash flow statements. Can't live on a farm if it is not viable. Another argument that can be used by the realtor is to state that it is the future owners responsibility to envision the farms future. This is true only if it is not an ongoing operation. Even if it is an annual crop that was grown on the land a realtor should have detailed information on the crops grown on the land for the past 5 years and types of fertilizer and herbicides used. The realtor should also have detailed soils survey from the current owner if the current owner farms the land. Any farmer worth his/her salt has this information on a split second notice ( or at least should have). This type of information can help sell the operation and also get a premium for the farm.

Permalink Reply by Mackenna Roth on July 5, 2011 at 4:02am

Thanks to both of you.

 

Joe - I am looking to see what qualities a person might look for in a person who sells AG real estate vs actually buying farmland.

 

David - thank you for the information. It is very true that with farm real estate you need to know as much about the land as you do the buildings on it.

 

Mackenna

Permalink Reply by John Schwartzentruber on July 5, 2011 at 6:29am

If I were buying a farm, I'm not sure that I would take the realtor's or the vendor's word on the viability of the farm. After all who's responsibility is it to know what will work?

 

Furthermore, it would be interesting to assess the stand-alone viability of many of the farms that have sold in this area in the past year or more. Growing legal crops, that is . . .

Permalink Reply by Greg Edwards on July 6, 2011 at 6:50am

I am not a farmer, but I do plan on buying arable land in the mid-term and perhaps in the long term farming such land. 

 

To date I have made several serious enquiries about certain parcels of land, while I don't know much about farming I know enough to ask some basic questions regarding crop history, soil samples and typical yields.  Every realtor I have asked these questions of either did not know the information or stated that such information would be provided on making an offer.  Sorry, but both excuses are weak.  I kind of want to know that information up front when considering a purchase.

 

I should say that my father has been in the real estate business for close to 40 years.  He has never really sold farms or arable land.  If he listed such property he may not know enough about the business end of the operations to speak to them with any confidence. 

 

I think there may be a need for realtors with expertise in farming, but to effectively do so they would have to have enough business to make specialization worthwhile.

▶ Reply to Discussion

RSS

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Farmers Want Stable Canola Demand – Domestic Biofuels Market is Key

Trade Wins & the Need for Market Diversification: Lessons from the Canola Tariff Breakthrough After months of uncertainty, we are pleased to report positive developments on the trade front. Prime Minister Carney and Premier Moe’s diplomatic visit to China in January 2026 resulted in a resolution that led to a reduction in China’s canola tariffs—read this news release for greater detail on this file. While this is welcome news, it has also highlighted the risks of relying too heavily on only a couple of export markets. In today’s global trade environment, market diversification is more important than ever. Over the past year, canola—one of our largest export crops—has faced significant market risk. The recent tariff ruling confirms that depending on foreign buyers leaves us vulnerable to unpredictable policy changes. That’s why expanding domestic demand, especially biofuel, is crucial. Unlike exports, local biofuel markets can’t be affected by foreign tariffs. Crush It: Renewable Die

USask earns high marks in world university subject rankings

USask was listed among the top 50 universities in the world for veterinary science in the QS World University Rankings by Subject for 2026, earning a spot at 49th overall. In addition, USask ranked 54th in the world in agriculture and forestry, both increases that speak to USask’s strong research and scholarly impact in those subject areas. “Seeing USask’s success in these international rankings is just one indicator of the incredible research, scholarly and artistic work that takes place on campus,” said USask Vice-President Research Baljit Singh. “We are proud that the world-class work of our staff and faculty is recognized on a world stage such as this.” USask also climbed the rankings in four other subject areas: geophysics, chemistry, electrical and electronic engineering, as well as physics and astronomy. USask placed in the top 300 institutions in the world in the subject areas of veterinary science, agriculture and forestry, environmental sciences (151-200 tier), geophysics

USask Agros’ Bedpush raises more than $135,000 for Telemiracle

Bedpush 2026 raised a total of $135,400, the most ever in the history of event. In the 42 years of Bedpush, there has been more than one million dollars raised for Telemiracle. TeleMiracle is a telethon fundraiser benefiting the Kinsmen Foundation. The non-profit organization provides specialized mobility and medical equipment to people and organizations throughout Saskatchewan, as well as travel assistance for residents in need of vital medical treatment outside their home community. “Participating in Bedpush is one of my favourite memories throughout my journey at the University of Saskatchewan,” said Laurel O’Neill, an Agribusiness student and the Agros public relations officer who led Bedpush. “Bedpush has truly made me proud to be an Agro and to be involved in my community and college.” Bedpush is an exciting tradition in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources (AgBio) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask). As part of the college’s legacy, the biannual fundraiser brings

Purdue University Launches New Online Digital Agriculture Course

Purdue University is offering a new online Digital Agriculture course, introduced through a webinar that highlights course features, faculty insights, discounts, and enrollment support for learners.

Lower premiums for field crop businesses

Quebec City, QC – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service