a red tractor obscured in dust while working in dry soils. Pic: Alexis Stockford

The double-edged sword of being an agricultural innovator

Canadian agriculture needs innovation and resilience, but being first in line also means taking on risk, sometimes without much of a safety net

A new report suggests Canada’s farmers have been “overly reliant” on business risk management programs such as crop insurance, AgriStability and AgriRecovery as “the only risk management solution.” Should farmers now go out on a limb trying new ways to mitigate those risks?






The idea that producing more queen bees and nucleus colonies in Canada will reduce the number of planes in the air is far-fetched.

Manitoba updates bee mortality insurance for 2025

2025 will be the first year a beekeeper’s winter bee loss insurance will be based on all their overwintered hives, up from 90 per cent

After another winter of high honeybee death, 2025 will be the first time a beekeeper’s bee loss insurance will be based on all their overwinter hives in Manitoba.

Canola harvest near Wilcox, Sask.

Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes

Federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million

The Canadian government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million






Livestock price insurance is one business risk management program that producers are being told to consider this year, but there are some common misunderstandings about the program.

Farm funding and insurance materials need to be clear

Farmers are less likely to turn to agricultural programs meant to help them if those programs are frustrating to navigate

Canadian farmers are less likely to turn to agricultural programs meant to help them, like business risk management or on-farm funding, if those programs are frustrating to navigate.