Young farmer calls new lending program announcement in the federal budget a step in the right direction

Mar 02, 2018

Sarah Jackson would like, however, to see a program for all young farmers

By Diego Flammini
News Reporter
Farms.com

A key focus of the federal government’s 2018-29 budget is the expansion of the role of women in the workplace.

One specific budget item relates to women in the agricultural industry.

“To support women entrepreneurs in agriculture, the Government will create and launch a new lending product in 2018–19 designed specifically for women entrepreneurs through Farm Credit Canada (FCC),” the budget states.

Sarah Jackson, the 26-year-old owner of Uplands Pheasantry in Lambton County, likes the idea of new lending program.

Sarah Jackson
Photo: Facebook

“As a young farmer it can be difficult to come up with a whole bunch of equity, compared to a farmer who’s been doing it for a long time,” she told Farms.com today.

She’s curious about the focus on women in the industry, however.

Women have fought to be respected in what’s been considered a male-dominated industry, she said. In her experience, female entrepreneurs in ag haven’t had issues accessing capital, adding that a program designed to help all farmers might be a better project to explore.

"It is my understanding that this government has put an emphasis on closing the gaps for women in the 2018 budget, which is good," she said. "Though I worry about us women being singled out. What about young farmers in general? I know my male colleagues also face financial hurdles to farm ownership.

"I will be curious to see how this effort will work in practice."

For more information about the agricultural elements in the budget, check out yesterday’s coverage.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.