Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Are you prepared for tragic transition?

Over the past several weeks we have posted three videos featuring interviews that were filmed in the spring 2014 with Wayne Skrypnyk, the founder of Skrypnyk Group. We have shared these videos in order to highlight some important areas that businesses should address in order to achieve high performance.

One key area is that of preparing for transition. In July of 2014, Wayne passed away suddenly. Wayne was a true leader, an inspirational presence and a friend. People such as Wayne are not replaced. It is now the responsibility of all who have had the fortune to work with Wayne to continue on the legacy which he started over 25 years ago.

It is times like these that force all of us to reflect on many things. One item that was highlighted in the videos is the fact that many business owners do not plan for transition. One day you will dispose of your business. It might be while you are alive, or it could be upon your death. Either way, as an owner it is imperative that you undertake the appropriate planning to ensure that the transition happens on your terms and that the business is in a position to carry on in your absence.

Business succession is a situation that is detailed and discussed in countless case studies. But to us, it is real. It is fortunate that as a firm, we had taken our own advice and are therefore in a position to continue the legacy that is left by Wayne, and built by the team.

How ready is your business for transition? What would happen if you, or a business partner of yours, suffered an unexpected tragedy? Who would your business partners be?

Transition is often difficult for business families. We prefer to spend our energy thinking of how to build the business instead of planning our exit. However, as we have learned in no uncertain terms – you will transition your business one day.  You may not be able to choose the timing, but you can choose that the transition takes place on your terms and that the business is well positioned to continue building upon your success.

Views: 220

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

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

Choosing Malting Barley for 2027? Market Demand Could Be Key

Canadian malting barley acres are shifting toward newer varieties. CDC Churchill reached 13.7 per cent of Western Canadian acres in 2026, while AAC Synergy retained the top spot at 37.6 per cent. Recommended Varieties

China extends tariff relief for peas, canola meal

China has extended significant tariff reductions on Canadian peas, canola meal, lobster and crabs for another two years after a meeting in Beijing between Chinese officials and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu. The announcement, part of a deal struck recently, removes a cloud of uncertainty that had been hanging over Canada’s agriculture and seafood sector. The tariff reductions, set to expire on Dec. 31, have been extended to the end of 2028, Sidhu said in a statement from Beijing. The suspended tariffs include 100-per-cent levies on peas and canola meal and 25-per-cent on lobster and crab. Shipments of these products for the first eight months of the year reached $1-billion, according to Sidhu’s office. “This extension gives farmers, producers and harvesters predictable access to the Chinese market, and it’s how we will grow our exports to China by 50 per cent by 2030 to create good-paying jobs and new opportunities for businesses across Canada,” Sidhu said.

Cyclists in another Ontario town worried they’ll lose some bike lanes

The Great Bike Lane Battle of Ontario™ isn’t just happening in Toronto. We’ve already seen several places in the province who are fearful that some of the Toronto removals, and plans to remove more or kibosh future lanes, might affect them. It began over two years ago when Premier Doug Ford’s government passed legislation that changed the way municipalities can create bike lanes. Essentially, the province can now dictate the way towns or cities can create cycling infrastructure that may reduce car lanes. The bill also quite specifically targeted several sections in the city which it planned to remove lanes. After a long legal battle—which included a Charter challenge put forth by cycling advocates, which was ultimately appealed and won by the province—the first round of lane removals began. The Ontario bike lane brouhaha In early October, crews set out to get rid of a 1.2-km section of protected bike lanes on Bloor Street West in the west part of the city. For days, cyclists and s

Eggs of invasive moth detected for the first time in Great Lakes region in Detroit, U.S. says

The eggs of an invasive moth known to be a voracious consumer of trees have been discovered for the first time in the Great Lakes region on a vessel in the Port of Detroit, according to U.S. Customers and Border Protection. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the specimens came from two distinct subspecies of the flighted spongy moth complex native to Asia. The steel-carrying cargo ship had arrived in Detroit from South Korea via Hamilton. “It's very concerning because … spongy moth is one of those moths whose caterpillars feed on the foliage of a large number of tree species,” said Richard Hamelin, a professor of forestry at the University of British Columbia. He worked with the USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on a DNA test to differentiate the Asian and European varieties of the moth. “My guess is that this [is] being an alarm … bell … because … if there's one ship that had eggs, then … there was … some kind of a breakdown in the inspection or maybe t

Lambton County farmers near end of harvest thanks to favourable weather

Ideal fall conditions have allowed Lambton County producers to bring a smooth and successful harvest near the finish line. Lambton Federation of Agriculture President Mike Belan said the soybean harvest and winter wheat planting finished really well thanks to a long stretch of nice weather. He said area farmers, including himself, have made good progress harvesting corn since with average to above average yields being recorded. "We just finished up last week and I think probably, if you went around the county, we'd be probably 85 to 90 per cent wrapped up on corn harvest," said Belan. "The first part of November has been exceptionally well weather wise." Belan said everyone he talks to has been eager to collect their crops. "November's notorious for having a large snowfall or getting wet and staying wet for the rest of the month," he said. "So, you take advantage of the nice weather when you can." With flurries starting to show in local forecasts, Belan said extra effort is being

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service