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: 261

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

Team Alberta Crops Breakfast

As the new communications intern at Alberta Canola, the Team Alberta Crops breakfast was my first time at an agriculture policy event. I come from an urban background with limited exposure to farming. Insights from presenters Milt Poirier, from QGI Consulting, and Neil Blue, a provincial Crop Market Analyst with Alberta Agriculture and Irrigation, fundamentally changed my understanding of the agricultural industry.   I no longer see Canadian agriculture as simply the production of farm products. Instead, I now view farming in the context of globally interconnected systems. These systems encompass the inputs that farmers rely on, the production processes, and the networks of processing and logistics. All of these systems are further shaped by external forces, including national and provincial policies, international trade rules, climate patterns, and technological innovations.   Global Competition and Climate Challenge   From Neil Blue’s talk, I learned that agriculture is a competit

2025 Performance Variety Trial Results Now Available

The 2025 Performance Variety Trials (PVT) results are now available, delivering the latest, region-specific data to support informed crop variety decisions across Alberta and Western Canada. The annual PVT program evaluates cereal, oilseed, and pulse crop varieties, providing up-to-date information on yield performance, agronomic characteristics, and disease resistance. This data helps farmers, agronomists, and industry professionals select varieties best suited to their local growing conditions, environmental zones, and management practices. Variety trials for each crop are conducted and managed by multiple research organizations and industry partners across the region. Detailed results can be found in the crop-specific performance tables for each commodity. We extend sincere thanks to the researchers, technicians, and partner organizations whose contributions make this program possible.

STEP takes action to support Saskatchewan’s canola export sector

The Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) is joining the effort to ensure market access into China for Canadian canola products in light of the latest round of Chinese tariffs. “Between the new 75% tariff on canola seed and the existing 100% tariff on oil and meal, the Chinese market is effectively closed for Saskatchewan canola products,” says incoming STEP CEO Chris Lane. “We are deeply concerned about the impact that could have on our members and the industry as a whole, not to mention producers who are starting harvest.” Beyond direct exporters, supporting industries such as transportation, logistics, agri-technology, and value-added services are feeling the ripple effects. These industries play an integral role in Saskatchewan’s economy, and many are now experiencing operational strain due to storage bottlenecks, contractual uncertainties, and reduced market confidence. STEP is encouraged by the Government of Saskatchewan’s efforts and advocacy on this issue, includi

Canada weighs approval of genetically engineered pigs

According to a recent USDA-FAS report, Canada is reviewing the potential commercial use of genetically engineered pigs, while pausing regulatory changes related to cloned swine. USDA-FAS reports that Environment and Climate Change Canada consulted with the public between June 20 and July 20, 2025, on four lines of genetically engineered pigs submitted under the New Substances program. The proposal would allow the pigs to be used in commercial breeding operations and pork production. A regulatory decision had not yet been released at the time of writing, and Health Canada had not published food safety assessments related to the pigs. Separately, Health Canada has indefinitely paused a proposed policy update that would have removed cattle and swine clones produced through somatic cell nuclear transfer, and their offspring, from Canada’s novel food regulations. The policy change was first proposed in spring 2024 but was halted in fall 2025 following consumer and industry feedback. Un

Pea, Lentil Outlooks Get More Burdensome

An already burdensome supply-demand picture for 2025-26 Canadian lentils and peas is now looking even worse. 

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service