OTTAWA: Farmers Business Network has expanded into the country and has hired more than 10 Canadian employees, the company said in a news release.
Since it launched in 2015, the network has had strong interest from Canadian farmers, said Tom Staples, general manager for Farmers Business Network Canada.
The network allows farmers to share data about agronomic practices, seed performance and price intelligence regarding seed and crop protection products. Farmers can also purchase inputs directly online.
“A big challenge for Canadian farmers has been the lack of transparent pricing for inputs,” said Staples.
“The FBN network has helped level the playing field through networking farms together, democratizing information and providing market transparency. All the more critical in a tough farm economy with more consolidation on the horizon.”
The company said more than 1.8 million acres of Canadian farms from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario have joined the network since it started in Canada earlier this winter.
The network has also joined with Yorkton Distributors in Saskatchewan through an acquisition earlier this month.
“By teaming up, FBN and Yorkton Distributors can provide Canadian farmers with access to a wide selection of popular seed and crop protection products, including generic and branded products from major manufacturers,” Staples said.
The network now includes more than 21 million acres of member farms in the U.S. and Canada. Its employees span 25 states and Canadian provinces.
