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Maximize profit and returns – Enrol in the Dairy Cost Study program

The next round of the Dairy Cost Study program opened January 1, 2025. The Dairy Cost Study offers a comprehensive analysis for individual dairy operations in Alberta for the 2024 production cycle. The study provides producers a detailed economic report on their dairy enterprise, at no cost.

A primary goal for any business is to be profitable, minimize costs and seek efficiencies. "Having a deeper understanding of your farm’s production costs can enhance confidence when making active management decisions,” says Pauline Van Biert, research analyst with the Alberta government. Understanding the connection between cost and returns is essential for setting targets and improving your farm’s operation.

While you may already have performance reports for your farm, the Dairy Cost Study can offer a fresh perspective and give you the chance to compare your business against provincial averages. “By reviewing your own numbers, you can assess management options, identify high-cost areas and pinpoint potential opportunities for efficiency improvements. Once you have a clear understanding of your costs and returns, you can make more informed decisions and seize opportunities,” says Van Biert.

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2024 AGM Day 1 Panel - Succession Planning & Risk Management

Video: 2024 AGM Day 1 Panel - Succession Planning & Risk Management

Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Agriculture indicates that 75% of all farms operating in Canada operate as sole proprietorships or family partnerships. While incorporated farms make up just over a third of Canadian farm operations most of those are also family-run corporations. If the issue of farm succession planning is not on the minds of Canadian farm producers, it probably should be. That same Statistics Canada Census of Agriculture indicates that the average age of a Canadian farmer is 56 years of age with the 55 plus age group becoming the fastest growing segment in Canadian agriculture.

Despite these statistics, the same Census reports that only 1 in 10 Canadian farm operations have a formal succession plan. While each farm has its unique issues when it comes to transferring the business to the next generation, there are some common topics that almost all farmers must address. Join financial, legal, and tax experts to learn about how to begin the process, key tips on ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next, and how to manage the strong emotions the topic can create within the family.