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: 207

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

AI and the future of Canadian agriculture

Canadian agriculture is facing rising pressures, from labour shortages and climate volatility to trade uncertainty and global competition. A new Farm Credit Canada report, AI in Canadian agriculture: Present challenges and future prospects, explores opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) to boost our productivity, resilience and global competitiveness. Yet AI adoption on Canadian farms currently lags other sectors and countries. Closing that gap could help to secure Canada’s future as a world-leading, sustainable food producer. The promise of AI for Canadian agriculture AI is already reshaping farming worldwide. From precision field analytics to smart supply chains, AI technologies help farmers make better decisions, manage risks proactively, and do more with less. AI-driven tools can optimize inputs (like water, seed and fertilizer), predict crop or animal health issues before they escalate, and boost yields through data-driven insights. Canadian-built tools like FCC’s Roo

Securing Alberta’s water future for next 100 years

Alberta’s growing population, communities, industries and agri-food sector are growing, and reliable access to water will be essential to sustaining that growth. That is why Alberta’s government is launching work to examine what the province will need to strengthen water security over the next 100 years. A request for proposals has been issued to develop a white paper examining the security of Alberta’s water supply. The work will examine bold, practical and innovative opportunities to increase water availability, strengthen water management and help guide future infrastructure and investment decisions across the province. “Water is the foundation of Alberta’s future. If we want our communities, farms and industries to keep growing, we need to make sure the water is there to support them. We’re looking 100 years ahead and asking what Alberta needs to build, invest in and do differently today to secure our water supply for generations to come.” Grant Hunter, Minister of Environment a

Celebrating 75 years of agricultural excellence

For 75 years, the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame has celebrated the people who have shaped Alberta agriculture. Established in 1951, it is Agriculture and Irrigation’s oldest and most prestigious recognition program, honouring individuals whose outstanding and lasting contributions have shaped Alberta agriculture and rural communities through their leadership, innovation, research, education and service. Every two years, up to three individuals are selected for induction. Nominees may come from any part of the agricultural community, including primary production, research, education, agri-food processing, rural leadership, policy and industry advocacy. What unites them is the lasting influence of their work and its impact at the provincial level or beyond. Since 1951, 144 Albertans have been inducted into the Alberta Agriculture Hall of Fame, recognizing excellence in industry leadership and service to rural communities. As the Hall of Fame marks its 75th anniversary, it continues

Company penalized for a workplace fatality

Birchcliff Energy Ltd., as an employer, pleaded guilty on Aug. 14 in the Grande Prairie Court of Justice to one count under the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Act for failing to ensure the health and safety of a worker. All remaining charges against Birchcliff Energy Ltd. were withdrawn. The charges stem from an incident that occurred Oct. 10, 2023, at an oil and gas site west of Spirit River. A worker died after falling into a reservoir while obtaining water samples. Under a creative sentence, the court ordered the company to pay $200,000 to Energy Safety Canada to develop an industry awareness and training program focused on managing serious injury and fatality risks in surface water operations. The court also ordered the company to pay $112,500 to Saddle Hills County Protective Services to develop surface ice water rescue training and support the purchase of ice water rescue equipment. The company and the Crown have up to 30 days to appeal the conviction or penalty. Albert

You Spoke, We Listened: Producers Set the Research Agenda

Your Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off pays for the research and communication work supported by the Beef Cattle Research Council. It’s really important that we understand what specific challenges you face, so that we invest in the right solutions. Last summer, readers were encouraged to participate in the Beef Cattle Research Council’s on-line beef research survey to help us develop a clear set of priorities to guide research funding decisions over the next five years. Thanks for responding. Here are some of the highlights of what you told us. What We Did The survey was open from June through August 2025. It asked you to rate various research issues as Extremely, very, moderately, slightly or not important in the areas of nutrition and production efficiency, forage and grassland productivity, environmental sustainability, animal health and welfare, beef quality and food safety. We also asked where producers look for reliable production information. A total of 588 Canadians responded t

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service