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presented by ATB Financial These sessions will speak to the threat of rising interest rates and what farmers and ranchers can do to insulate themselves from a significant increase, managing the production, market and financial and human resource farm related risks.
Economy 2010: The Risks that Lie Ahead
April 8, 10:30 a.m.
Todd Hirsch
The global economy dodged a bullet in 2009. After a rollercoaster downturn in 2008, things seem to be recovering quite nicely on a global basis. But that doesn’t mean there are no potential pitfalls on the road ahead – risks to the economic recovery lurk everywhere. What are these risks, and what do they mean for the global and US economies? How will Canada fare, and what lies ahead in 2010 for Alberta’s economy? Specifically, how will the energy, agriculture, and construction sectors of the provincial economy perform in 2010 and beyond?
Bio: Todd Hirsch received his BA Honors in Economics from the University of Alberta, and an MA in Economics from the University of Calgary. Since completing his education in 1993, he has held a series of economist positions at a variety of for-profit and public sector organizations, including the Canada West Foundation, the Canadian Pacific Railway, and the Bank of Canada.
Todd joined ATB Financial in May 2007 as Senior Economist where he provides economic information and intelligence to the various lines of business at ATB. He also tracks current developments in Alberta’s and North America's economy and delivers presentations to both internal and external audiences.
Todd appears regularly as an economic commentator on CBC radio, BNN, the Globe and Mail, and various local and national news programs. He also teaches two economics courses at the University of Calgary, acts as a mentor for the Economics Society of Calgary’s student mentorship program, and is the Chair the Board of Directors of the Calgary Arts Academy.
Grain Market Outlook; “Where are prices heading next? Volatility = Opportunity!” David's unique understanding of grain markets, from both commodity broker and grain farmer perspectives, have helped him build Ag-Chieve Corporation into an industry leading grain marketing company that delivers favourable marketing results for all of its clients.
David has spoken at Manitoba Ag Days in Brandon, MB, participated in the seminar series at the Farm Progress Show in Regina, SK, presented in front of the farmers at last year’s Agri-trade show in Red Deer, as well as gives market outlooks to the Keystone Ag Producers, the Special Crop Symposium, and the Prairie Oat Grower’s Association for several consecutive years. David is also a columnist for the Alberta Farm Express and Manitoba Co-operator as well as teaches a “Successful Grain Marketing Strategies” course to farmers across Western Canada. We are participating at this year’s Farm and Ranch show as an exhibitor and would be willing to do a market outlook if there is an opportunity to do so.
Marilyn Braun-Pollon, CFIB’s Vice-President, Agri-business will discuss the importance of developing business-focused policies that address the competitive challenges in Canada’s agricultural sector and lead to long-term success of the industry. The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) believes farmers, in their capacity as entrepreneurs, require strong advocacy with respect to the business-related issues of farming. CFIB’s latest Agriculture Business Barometer reveals confidence in the agriculture sector continues to lag behind other industries. Government policy can either fuel or dampen optimism in the agri-business sector. While governments cannot solve many of the global problems that have impacted the agricultural sector, they can certainly take steps to improve the tax and regulatory environment in which agri-business owners operate. Additionally, they can make Business Risk Management (BRM) programs like AgriStability more transparent, timely and predictable.
Bio: Marilyn Braun-Pollon currently serves as Vice-President, Agri-Business for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). CFIB is a non-partisan organization exclusively representing the interests of 105,000 small- and medium-sized businesses in Canada, of which 7,200 are agri-businesses.
In this role, Ms. Braun-Pollon serves as government lobbyist and media spokesperson for its 7,200 agri-business members across Canada and pays special attention to the key agricultural issues, including: competitive challenges, tax burden, regulation and paper burden, shortage of qualified labour, advocating for the development of farmer-friendly policies, and succession planning.
CFIB is entirely funded by its members and takes direction from them through regular surveys on a variety of issues. CFIB believes farmers, in their capacity as entrepreneurs, require strong advocacy with respect to the business-related issues of farming. CFIB constantly tracks agri-business members’ high priorities to ensure it tackles the issues most relevant to their business.
Marilyn’s presentation: “Addressing the competitive challenges in Canada’s agri-business sector” will discuss the importance of developing business-focused policies that address the competitive challenges in Canada’s agricultural sector and lead to long-term success of the industry.
Marilyn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of government after spending a number of years working on the economic development side of both the provincial and federal governments. Marilyn also understands the challenges facing small businesses and the agricultural sector through her family’s farming and quarter horse breeding and training business in Beechy, Saskatchewan.
Marilyn earned a Bachelor of Administration degree from Trinity Western University with a minor in Communications. In 2004, SaskBusiness, Saskatchewan’s business magazine, named Marilyn one of Saskatchewan’s ten most influential women.
Risk Management for Farmers Bio: Jonathan is a Farm Management Consultant in Meyers Norris Penny’s Red Deer office. From here he is the firm’s Provincial Farm Management Consulting leader for Alberta delivering consulting services to producers with his team. |
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