






Announcements
Vacancies
- Head Grower Strawberries, Australia
- Growing Manager for Hydroponic strawberry producer
- Farm Manager Costa Rica
- Regional Sales Manager Fresh Produce
- Head Grower Strawberries, Norway
- Export Trade Manager
- Business Developer - Northern Europe
- Orchard Sector Manager
- Grower
- International Citrus Account Manager
Where do great management ideas come from?
Farming is an evolving business that is constantly changing due to weather, markets, prices, politics and other factors farmers have no control of.
“In order to adapt to changes and to compete, you have to embrace life-long learning,” says Rick Dehod, farm financial specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Edmonton. “A professor in ag school told me that a professional does not know all the answers, but knows where to seek them. The more we learn, the more we realize what we don’t know. The bottom line is that we can never know enough. After our formal education ends, how does one find those nuggets of information and management ideas that keep your farm competitive and profitable?”
Attending producer meetings, educational short-courses, and seminars on a wide array of topics allows interaction with academics, specialists and other producers.
“Quite often this interaction with other producers provides the best management ideas,” says Dehod. “These producers are willing to share their methods and results, and what works on their farms. This is often tried and tested in areas that are similar in soil type and weather. This on the farm experience usually provides invaluable management ideas.”
Dehod says what is key is just getting out and meeting with people.
“This summer take some time off the farm to attend field days that our research organizations, our producer commissions and our researchers at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development are hosting. Attend your local agricultural fair and rodeo, or just go for coffee with a neighbour. It amazing how much information is exchanged out of a pickup window on a country road.”
“Remember that good ideas can come for anyone,” adds Dehod. “Listen for those good ideas.”
For upcoming events check Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s events page.
For farm business management information go to the Farm Manager resource.
For more information
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Rick Dehod
T: +1 780-427-4466
“In order to adapt to changes and to compete, you have to embrace life-long learning,” says Rick Dehod, farm financial specialist, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development, Edmonton. “A professor in ag school told me that a professional does not know all the answers, but knows where to seek them. The more we learn, the more we realize what we don’t know. The bottom line is that we can never know enough. After our formal education ends, how does one find those nuggets of information and management ideas that keep your farm competitive and profitable?”
Attending producer meetings, educational short-courses, and seminars on a wide array of topics allows interaction with academics, specialists and other producers.
“Quite often this interaction with other producers provides the best management ideas,” says Dehod. “These producers are willing to share their methods and results, and what works on their farms. This is often tried and tested in areas that are similar in soil type and weather. This on the farm experience usually provides invaluable management ideas.”
Dehod says what is key is just getting out and meeting with people.
“This summer take some time off the farm to attend field days that our research organizations, our producer commissions and our researchers at Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development are hosting. Attend your local agricultural fair and rodeo, or just go for coffee with a neighbour. It amazing how much information is exchanged out of a pickup window on a country road.”
“Remember that good ideas can come for anyone,” adds Dehod. “Listen for those good ideas.”
For upcoming events check Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development’s events page.
For farm business management information go to the Farm Manager resource.
For more information
Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development
Rick Dehod
T: +1 780-427-4466
Publication date:
Receive the daily newsletter in your email for free | Click here
Other news in this sector:
- 2023-09-28 22-hectare greenhouse in Mongolia to be completed by the end of the year
- 2023-09-27 Providing a unique greenhouse experience and launch of new sweet pepper variety
- 2023-09-27 Foil greenhouse lets Belgian strawberry grower expand
- 2023-09-25 Greenhouse Cluster Development project is way in Georgia
- 2023-09-22 CAN: Horticultural center topped with roof informed by Fibonacci spirals
- 2023-09-21 Ukrainian farmers receive subsidies to develop the construction of gardens and greenhouses
- 2023-09-21 Greenhouse farming in the Mogilev region is switching to new technologies
- 2023-09-21 Far North grower forced to diversify crops due to strawberry shortage
- 2023-09-20 Lettuce industry Florida expands into new production systems
- 2023-09-20 Ukraine: Ivano-Frankivsk community are establishing a greenhouse farm
- 2023-09-20 Low- and mid-tech greenhouse constructions ready for assembly
- 2023-09-19 China: New glass greenhouse are under construction in Beijing
- 2023-09-18 Environmental association points out flaws in greenhouse expansion plan
- 2023-09-15 NL: Bejo's new plant nursery officially opened
- 2023-09-14 Philippines: Korean funded greenhouses set for turnover by November
- 2023-09-14 China: "This method saves 92 percent on water"
- 2023-09-14 US (NE): Greenhouse in the snow continues to flourish, adding international markets and commercial kits
- 2023-09-11 Guyana: Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha visits agricultural project AIEP
- 2023-09-11 US (NY): Work underway on $120M hydroponic lettuce farm in Lorena
- 2023-09-11 Philippines: BPI, Kopia launch vegetable project