John Geurtjens worked through some of the most difficult times the agriculture industry has ever experienced during the 1980s, a period that laid a foundation of resilience that has served him well as a lender and as a leader at FCC.

Viewing your farm debt differently

FCC veteran John Geurtjens discusses how attitudes to debt and business opportunities have changed on the farm

Decades of experience with Farm Credit Canada (FCC) showed John Geurtjens, former vice-president of operations in Ontario, how adaptable the province’s agriculture sector really is. And while issues may change, […] Read more


Anhydrous ammonia tanks are seen less and less in Ontario fields as less regulated and safer alternatives become popular.

Anhydrous use dwindles in Ontario

Suppliers are turning to more popular, less regulated nitrogen options

Safety concerns, ever-tighter regulations and good alternatives continue to reduce the availability of anhydrous fertilizer in Ontario.  But while urea and urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) now dominate, some growers and […] Read more

There is worry that the extended period of high crop prices could leave farmers vulnerable if they are used as a base for cost of production calculations, particularly if prices fall and major production challenges happen as was seen in the 1980s.

How hot can prices get?

High prices can skew cost of production, making farmers vulnerable

Commodity prices have been strong for the past eight months. It’s been a boon for growers, though prolonged periods of decent returns can skew cost of production. Canadian growers could […] Read more

Pedro Ferrari MacHado is a post-doctoral student at the University of Manitoba.

N-inhibitors aid in greenhouse gas reduction

Weather and field conditions impact year-to-year effectiveness

Research from the University of Guelph indicates the application of nitrogen inhibitors can help farmers significantly reduce their emissions. While such products can differ in consistency across various growing conditions, […] Read more


Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes, is most at risk from phosphorus loading.

Living Lab project to energize knowledge transfer

AAFC initiative pushes for greater validation and faster adoption of environmental farm practices

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is pushing to increase the adoption of environmentally friendly growing practices by farmers in Ontario’s Lake Erie region. Adding to similar initiatives in the eastern Prairies, […] Read more

Soybean frost damage was spotty, and often was found in areas of fields

Province sees mixed frost damage

Northern and some Eastern regions hardest hit, with some replanting occurring

After a generally favourable planting season, cold weather and frost in the last week of May brought mixed damage to Ontario’s corn and soybean crop. Why it matters: Favourable weather […] Read more




Despite the growing number of digital tools, Chuck Baresich says the vast majority of problems can still be remedied without service from the dealer.

Changing service expectations

The sector is undergoing an evolution in how dealer service is valued, as digital tools increase

Digital tools are increasingly transforming the way farmers operate and interact with machinery. And while discussions about right-to-repair policies continue, equipment dealers have been adopting new strategies to accommodate the […] Read more