Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

The last half of 2012 was busy for me, even took on custom combining to give me an extra reason to run home fast from the factory.  And although the crops turned out good, the markets are favourable, it was still a tough year.  

My appeal (Detail in a prior Blog) to have my farm land taxed at the farm rate came, and the decision made, NO you don't get the farm tax rate, you get to pay 400% of that rate.  Reason, I missed a deadline to apply for a seven digit number from a farm organization that I was entitled to quit with a full refund after joining.  Sounds ridiculous, but that is the system in Ontario.  I had to deal with more government agencies that I ever knew existed all of which claimed powerless to do anything because thats how the legislation is written. That seems par for the course, nothing is set up to support a new farmer, the entire system is anti-small farm.  It shouldn't surprise me, I live in a democracy, and 98% of the voters are not farmers, so why would the government make sense to a farmer.  Its documented by lawyers, run by bureaucrats and propagated by politicians.

It goes beyond one ruling that I find hard to accept, there comes a realization that farming is a loosing situation.  I have just been too blinded by a love of the land, desire to work with nature, be self reliant and control my own fate.  Not things that a government wants and the policies speak volumes.  The reality is most people get it, the evidence is clear, there are fewer farmers every year, and an ever increasing median age.  It will take me 20yrs just to be as old as the AVERAGE farmer in Ontario.  And why would I bother?

Sure, if i am lucky I can work on the farm my whole life, re-investing every sent into equipment and land, so I get to die of heart attack or stroke while loading grain when i'm in my 90's.  Well, maybe I will be a bit loose with my money and drive a Cadillac in those latter years, that should make up for these hard years at the start.  

The general feeling I get from comments on media sites regarding farmers is we are all rich and living a life of luxury on the backs of the tax payer.  Its likely my fault I never applied to any of these "supposed" money hand out programs, i just wanted to farm without the government running the show...big mistake, they are going to find there way in anyhow.  Of course these checks will have far fewer digits than I am lead to believe by those who know nothing at all about agriculture.

But things are good, the land re-assesment shows that my purchase of farm land has had a 220% increase over the two years I've owned it.  (I can just see how low next years tax bill will be).

So I have a real important decision to make, do I pack it in, move to the big city with that high paying Engineering job, live in a comfortable house, where my garbage is picked up at the curb, I can get anything delivered to the house, reduce my snow shovelling to a short section of sidewalk or pay higher taxes to work a second job, live on a dirty poorly maintained gravel road knowing that every dollar i make will be spent to make sure I get to work more.

Its no wonder there are so few young farmers.

There is another side to this.

When I slowly drive down the road and meet a neighbour, we roll down our window and have a chat, blocking the road in both directions.  And we do this until another car comes by.  I could just imagine how many people would call the police if they saw this take place on a Toronto side street.  Theres those friendly conversations with fellow farmers, truck drivers, and friends that take place on the side walks by the bank or in the parking lot at the beer store.  And then there are the suppliers of seed and fertilizers who stop by to offer a drink, or take me out for a free lunch (granted I seem to always spend lots of money at those "free" lunches), these people are nothing like the government. They want to see me succeed, and for that matter so do the old farmers, who almost leave the impression that they are rooting for me.  

When I was young I once heard: This country doesn't succeed because of its government.  It succeeds in spite of it.

I think I am starting to understand what was meant.  At least now I know its not just bad weather that can cause me problems, that is the least of my issues.

It wasn't a hard decision.  This farmer plans to succeed in spite of all this.  I may have made the wrong decision, but somebody has to grow the food, and I look forward to doing it for a very long time.

Views: 608

Comment

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

Join Ontario Agriculture

Comment by Joe Dales on January 11, 2013 at 5:56am

Hi Gus,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feelings about getting started farming.

Every situation is a little different but I think most farmers have had to struggle through the early years.

From a big picture perspective:  we do need young farmers as the older generation decides they have had enough so the potential is there.  The barriers to entry are significant, capital requirements, knowledge and experience required, government redtape...long days, market risk, weather....

 

I hope you generate enough satisfaction and financial returns that allow you to make your passion of farming a viable and sustainable profession and life.  Keep up the good fight.

 

Take care and I really enjoy reading your blog.

 

Joe Dales

Farms.com

joe.dales@farms.com

877 438-5729 x5013

 

Comment by Iain Robson on January 11, 2013 at 12:08am

Great post Gus.

I am transitioning into farming, so I can relate to the debate that you talked about. I mean I could easily just stay in the city and live the good life or I can live and the country and live the hard life. For some, it is a an easy decision, but for those few who want to try do something like farming, the decision becomes harder.

I really appreciate your perspective because you are a new farmer. It provides some great insight into the types of things you would have to deal with in that particular situation. 

How long did it take you to actually get the money and buy a farm?

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

More Canadian Corn Acres in 2025; Fewer Soybeans

A Statistics Canada acreage report on Wednesday said Canadian producers intend to plant more corn and less soybeans in 2025. Nationwide corn plantings were estimated at 3.769 million acres, up 3.2% from a year earlier but still below the 3.824 million planted in 2023. On the other hand, soybean area was projected at 5.635 million acres, a 1.3% decline from 2024 but still above the 5.63 million acres planted in 2023. The report seems to confirm conventional opinion that corn will be the more profitable option, versus soybeans, for North American farmers this year. However, the report is based on a survey of 8,200 Canadian farmers between Dec. 13 and Jan. 27, long before US President Donald Trum launched trade action against China that has resulted in retaliatory measures, including 15% and 10% levies on US corn and soybeans, respectively. Trump has also threated 25% tariffs against most US imports of Canadian goods, including grains and grain products., which could take effect next

CCGA Implementing Interest-Free Change for 2025 Cash Advances

Late last week, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, announced the interest-free limit for the 2025 Advance Payments Program (APP) is increasing to $250,000. Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) began accepting applications for the 2025 program in mid-February and is taking steps to deliver cash advances at this higher interest-free benefit. Previously, the interest-free limit was set at $100,000. “We’re focused on implementing the higher interest-free benefit quickly so that all farmers, including those who have already applied for a 2025 cash advance, can benefit equally,” says Dave Gallant, CCGA’s Vice-President, Finance & APP Operations. “CCGA will be notifying existing 2025 applicants about the program change and any actions required on their part. We hope to make the process seamless for all farmers.” For 2025, farmers can apply for up to $1 million in financing, with the interest-free component at $250,000 and the remaining at CCGA’s i

CCA Pleased to See Sustained Increase to Interest-Free Portion of Loans under Advance Payments Program

On Friday, March 7, the Hon. Lawrence MacAulay, Canada’s Minister of Agriculture and Agrifood,announced that for the fourth straight growing season the federal government would increase the interest-free portion of loans under the Advance Payments Program (APP) to $250,000 rather than the default of $100,000. CCA has been advocating for the limit to be kept at $350,000, but increasing it to $250,000 is positive for producers across Canada and will help keep the beef cattle sector economically competitive in an unsteady economic environment. Without the change, the interest-free portion of loans under APP would have reverted back to $100,000, which would not account for inflation and escalating input costs. The intent of APP is to help farmers, especially young farmers, meet cash flow needs and market their production flexibly. APP is also an important tool in helping producers meet escalating input costs, particularly that of raising capital to invest into the next crop. With ongoing

Research on the Farm – Barley Seeding Rate Trial Summary

Manitoba Crop Alliance’s (MCA) Research on the Farm (ROTF) program conducts scientific research with farmer members using replicated strip trials on commercial fields. Farmer co-operators use their own equipment and management practices to conduct this research. Research projects are developed to investigate current and pressing agronomic questions and provide site-specific answers. More information about the ROTF program and all trial results can be found here. Barley genetics for both malting and feed varieties have improved over the last decade. Evaluating current seeding rates for new barley varieties was necessary to understand if target plant stand densities are optimized for both grain yield and quality. The purpose of this trial was to investigate the economic and agronomic impact of farmers increasing and decreasing their target plant stands. This was done by having decreased and increased seeding rate treatments compared to the farmers’ normal. Over the past three years (20

U.S. tariffs hurt Manitoba farmers, economy

Today, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) responded to the U.S. government implementing 25% tariffs on Canadian goods imported into the U.S. “Today’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian goods entering the U.S. will do nothing but harm farmers and consumers on both sides of the border,” said KAP President, Jill Verwey. “We oppose these trade actions that impede the free flow of goods between our two nations in the strongest of terms.” In 2024, Manitoba’s agri-food exports were $9.28 billion, with 46% of that going to the U.S. as our top agri-food trading partner. Some of the most exported farm products from Manitoba into the U.S. include canola, pork, potatoes, and oats. “Manitoba farmers produce world-class agricultural products and our trading partners in the U.S. know this, despite the actions their federal government are taking that will disrupt their ability to access Manitoba products at an affordable price,” said KAP General Manager, Colin Hornby. “These tariffs will not only

© 2025   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service