In today’s age of advanced technology and connectedness, disinformation has become a product with a market, competing for your knowledge and expertise no matter who you are or where you work.

So much can change in a year. In February 2020, I thought I had a pretty clear idea of what was ahead of me as far as my agriculture-focused career went. I had just left my position as a corporate director of recruitment with a national line company and joined a recruiting firm, specializing in all aspects of agriculture shortly after.

Many of the issues people working in Canadian agriculture faced for the majority of 2020 will continue for at least the next six to nine months. Social distancing and limitations on face-to-face business activities will continue until most citizens that seek to be vaccinated have successfully done so.

The CAAR Communicator sits down for a Q&A with Michael Gaumont, vice president of operations at McEwen’s Fuels and Fertilizers, and Russ Reich, vice president of crop inputs at Richardson International, to learn about their journey through the ag retail industry and involvement with the CAAR board.

Our virtual event is an interactive, online experience, providing ag retailers with an opportunity to educate themselves through informative sessions and group discussions, engage with exhibitors and other attendees to build new connections and evolve to provide the best service for their customers.

Autonomous equipment and precision application systems have the potential to disrupt the application of the traditional inputs, which some say will ultimately benefit retailers.

David Parker, executive vice president of FLM Harvest and the opening presenter at the 2021 Virtual CAAR Conference, says farmers trust their retailer's expertise and would likely consult them on new ag products and trends.

CAAR board and staff share with members a look at what their association’s priorities are for 2021.

As the geopolitical environment evolves, the need for an association representing the voice of the agriculture industry is needed now more than ever, says Mitch Rezansoff, executive director of CAAR. Public opinion continues to drive legislation rather than sound science, economic value and contribution.

CAAR board and staff share with members a look at what their association’s priorities are for 2021.

The ag industry showed strength and unity in the face of the many challenges presented in 2020 as COVID-19 drastically changed how ag retailers conducted business. As an essential service, businesses in all areas of the agriculture industry had to find innovative ways to pivot their norm in a world that changed overnight.

The 2021 Virtual CAAR Conference focuses on the business of ag retail and connecting the agriculture industry. With attendee passes starting at $125, register today for the virtual event hosted from February 9-11, 2021 that features educational speaker sessions and value opportunities to network with ag retailers. Click here to register!

Join us in Saskatoon, Feb. 11–13, 2020 for the 25th anniversary of the CAAR Conference, an event that will be equal parts celebration and education.

If you are hosting an important meeting or an outing with your team, try one of these popular spots in downtown Saskatoon, just steps from the CAAR Conference host hotel.

Is increased public scrutiny and pressure from export markets threatening the future of glyphosate?

What many unfamiliar with Canadian agriculture production fail to recognize is the scope of annual purchases farmers undertake to grow major crops. These purchases significantly contribute to the regional, provincial and national economies of Canada.

At the time of writing this article, weather continues to impact progress on a harvest that has seen its ups and downs.

2019 is a year we won’t soon forget. With the majority of the crop yet to be harvested, farmers and ag retailers continue to prevail, moving forward with the challenges they can only manage but not control.

Growers are going digital – are ag retailers going with them?

Three pieces of weed control technology are entering the crop protection mix.

Recruitment agencies specializing in agriculture can help ag retailers find the right talent.

A comprehensive, retailer-led program is connecting kids with agriculture.

An expanded precision agriculture survey sets its sights on the bigger picture.

If there was one thing that stood out during the creation of this magazine, it was that significant changes are currently underway across agriculture and ag retail. Both feature stories in this issue have themes of innovation, evolution and change.

The channels and means by which ag retailers connect and do business with their customers in an increasingly digital world are changing and evolving, with retailers of all sizes beginning to offer online services to customers.

4R Certification is making waves by helping ag retailers demonstrate Great Lakes Stewardship.

“Business Intelligence” is one of the key strategic pillars that CAAR recognized as vital for its membership. CAAR is embarking on its first major undertaking toward developing this pillar by helping to facilitate the 2019 Canadian Precision Agriculture Dealership Survey, developed in partnership between the University of Guelph and Purdue University with input from CAAR.

Industry co-operation has set a high bar for anhydrous ammonia stewardship.

Celebrating 25 years of bringing CAAR members together!

The Communicator profiles two newly established ag retail sites in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Three Manitoba farmers share challenges and opportunities for their farms and how they want to work with their ag retailers.

CAAR joins an industry-driven organization working to improve eConnectivity in ag.

Every year, I come away from the CAAR Conference with my head spinning. It takes a bit of time to process all of the information, all of the implications and simply take a breath after the fast pace of the event.

When a customer looks to you, their retailer, as a trusted resource, opportunities are created to build a relationship that is mutually beneficial to both parties. You help them, and they help you.