Friday, February 23, 2024 • Vol.128 No. 30 • Neepawa, Manitoba FOR RENT
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Inside this week Farmers’ Advocate
Farmers cautiously optimistic about 2024 Viterra hosts marketing meeting at Neepawa
By Ken Waddell Farmers’ Advocate Feb. 13 was Canada’s Agriculture day. As Viterra’s grain marketing Ray Baloun stated in opening the company’s farmer appreciation breakfast on Feb. 13, “This is Canada’s Agriculture day but most people don’t even know, right?” Baloun, who has achieved an almost famous status among Western Manitoba grain producers said he wanted to have grain growers come out to a breakfast on Feb. 13 to celebrate agriculture and to learn more about marketing grain. A room at Neepawa’s Chicken Chef restaurant packed with farmers and a couple of media types learned a lot about the mindset around farming and world markets. As part of the intro, Baloun said that Viterra supports STARS air ambulance and Food Grains by allowing grain growing on Viterra land around five of their elevators. Keith Brownell, Viterra marketing rep opened his presentation by stating, “We need as much advocacy as possible. We need to pull back the veil about farming especially in centres like Winnipeg.” Brownell has many years of Ag and marketing experience that started with a couple of university degrees. He obviously loves farming but he still posed the question, “Why do you farm? If you sold, what would you do? Most farmers keep on because they love to farm. Farmers are the most optimistic people in the world. They put seed in the ground, add in fertilizer and then battle the weather.” He suggested that if you treat your farm as a business it can be a great way of life. If you treat your farm as a way of life it can be a poor business.Warren Buf fet would say, “Can I make a profit.” Buffet says “always make a profit”. Brownell says you have
lots of bins, aeration and equipment but marketing needs to be planned ahead. “I don’t want to see farmers selling when they have to like when a bill is due.” Grain companies are buying in smaller increments and many geopolitical forces are big issues. Wars and political tensions will affect markets. “Know your cost of production and goals are more important than emotions. Loss is felt deeper than gains. Gut decisions come when the stress is on. Make rational decisions.” He noted that both Canadian and American farmers have been holding back on sales of grain on hand. There is more grain being grown than sold and that is holding prices back. Strange as it may seem, the world isn’t short of grain right now. Only 49 per cent of the canola is sold to date. The mood of the farmers seemed to still be optimistic, but cautious.
204-212-5037
PHOTOS BY JOHN DRINKWATER
Keith Brownell, Viterra’s marketing specialist, was the feature speaker at a Viterra sponsored grain marketing breakfast on Feb. 13 at the Chicken Chef restaurant in Neepawa. The meeting was hosted by Ray Baloun who is locally known as Ray, the Grain Guy.
Farmers’ Advocate Page 9 - 12
Call us at 204-476-6908 for early on-farm delivery and delayed billing. We would be happy to serve you.
Brownell emphasized the need for planning and preparation when it comes to grain marketing. He said, “Know your cost of production” when deciding when to sell and when to hold on to inventory
JOHN’S
ELECTRIC LTD ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS Angus & Cathy Ford
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Neepawa, MB 204-476-3391
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PHOTOS BY JODI BAKER PHOTOGRAPHY, GEM MENDOZA BENAMER AND CASPER WEHRHAHN
Residents and visitors to Neepawa enjoyed a variety of activities at The Flats on Feb. 18 for the annual Neepawa Winter Festival. There was a glow-in-the-dark adventure trail (top right), fire works (above), skating, enjoying a warm bonfire together (bottom right) and other activities such as sleigh rides. Activities for the day began at 4:00 p.m. and concluded after the fireworks, which lit up the sky at 8:00 p.m.
FRIDAY, Deer Range School Reunion (1898-1959) JULY 19 Edrans (1900) - Firdale (1890) TO
Home Coming
SUNDAY, For more information contact Rob Smith at JULY 21 call or text: 1-204-573-7160 or email: deer_range_farm@yahoo.ca