Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

In my previous discussion post I wrote about having access to capital or funds to leverage for more funds in order to start or expand the current operation.
On Sunday I found out that having access to money is not always the issue.
An acquaintance who farms a good 20 minutes away from our home base was contemplating what to do with his mother in-law's home farm. She current rents out the farm beside ours and no one lives in the house or uses the barn (for good reason). Through the conversation we talk about assisting beginning or young farmers. I mention - "I am interested in renting the land or buying the farm." The return comment was that I wouldn't rent the land for $xxx.00. I said - of course I would.
He said well... the current renter is really good to deal with (he rents in excess of 2000 acres and comes from god knows where and trucks all his products to somewhere else). Then I throw it back at him - so... how are we helping young people get started, such as myself or your own son, even when we are willing and able to pay the rent? (recall - the farm is right beside my dad's. No travel required). No comment. He was stuck on the current renter is a good renter (who is considered a larger cash cropper).
Maybe the next question at the local farmer meeting should be - we are asking the government to assist young farmers, what are we willing to do to help young farmers?
The government may well throw it back at us and ask - what are you doing to assist young farmers? Well... we won't let them bid for land, we won't let them rent land, we are reducing our sow herds,...

Views: 266

Replies to This Discussion

Just a thought, the current renter may be a young farmer.

Young farmers need economically viable farm operations to get involved with. These operations may be large or small. As a young farmer I have no interest in trying to start my own operation as there is much more incentive to get involved with established operations that have access to capital and the ability to leverage assets.
The current renter is well over 50 yrs young. So yeah - considering the average age of farmers is mid 50's he would be considered "young".
If it was a young farmer renting the land I would not be concerned at all.

Brett Schuyler said:
Just a thought, the current renter may be a young farmer.

Young farmers need economically viable farm operations to get involved with. These operations may be large or small. As a young farmer I have no interest in trying to start my own operation as there is much more incentive to get involved with established operations that have access to capital and the ability to leverage assets.

RSS

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

Reducing On-Farm Pesticide Drift

Pesticide drift is a costly challenge for large farms. During National Pesticide Safety Education Month, here are key strategies—based on current EPA and Extension guidance—to keep applications on target.

US Ag Groups Join Forces to Call for Trade Pact Renewal

A new coalition of U.S. farm and agricultural organizations is ramping up pressure on Washington to ensure the renewal of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA, or CUSMA as it is known in Canada) as the pact approaches its mandatory 2026 review. More than 40 farm and agri-food groups have launched the Agricultural Coalition for USMCA, highlighting the trade deal’s role as a key economic driver for American agriculture and warning that uncertainty around its future could disrupt farm planning and investment. The coalition on Thursday unveiled a new website and announced an aggressive advertising campaign in Washington aimed at reinforcing the agreement’s benefits to lawmakers and the administration. “USMCA is one of President (Donald) Trump’s signature achievements and one that has significantly propelled the ag economy,” said coalition spokesperson Bryan Goodman. While acknowledging that targeted improvements may be needed, Goodman said the group’s core message is tha

US Farm Income Forecast Lower for 2026

U.S. net farm income is projected to edge lower in 2026, with the USDA estimating inflation-adjusted net farm income will fall by $4.1 billion to $153.6 billion – setting up another challenging year for American producers. In nominal terms, American net farm income is estimated at $153.4 billion, down about $1.2 billion, or 0.7%, from 2025, said the USDA’s first farm income forecast for 2026 on Thursday. Net cash farm income, which measures cash flow, is expected to rise 3% to $158.5 billion, though inflation erodes much of that gain. Although still well down from 2022 when farm income peaked at $210 billion, both net farm income and net cash farm income for 2026 would remain above their long-term averages when adjusted for inflation. Total farm cash receipts are forecast to drop $14.2 billion, or 2.7%, to $514.7 billion in 2026. Crop receipts are projected to increase modestly in nominal terms, rising $2.8 billion to $240.8 billion, though they are expected to decline slightly o

New cereals seed treatment from Syngenta

Equento Cereals has six active ingredients including a new Group 30 insecticide

40 U.S. Ag Groups Unite to Launch Coalition Urging Renewal of USMCA

Over 40 U.S. farm and ag organizations have formed a new coalition advocating for the renewal of the U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service