VIDEO: A strategic approach to risk on the ranch

VIDEO: A strategic approach to risk on the ranch

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

Given the increase in the value of livestock and the market volatility, we need to cover our risks. First, I think we should consider our risk tolerance level. An investment advisor can present tools for assessing risk tolerance. On many farms and ranches, complete alignment on risk tolerance is unlikely. Ages, personality styles and life […] Read more

Getting your cattle to the right place, at the right time, for the right length of time and for the right reasons can optimize both animal and plant performance.

VIDEO: Doing the math on cattle grazing

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

An integral component of good grazing management is tracking yield or production. It is how we project carrying capacity and adjust for drier or wetter conditions. It’s also an important part of the planning process. When we switch to a more intensive grazing approach, with multiple paddocks and grazing periods based on plant recovery, tracking […] Read more


Famer and His Son Standing Side by Side Leaning on a Gate

VIDEO: The intergenerational gap on Canadian ranches

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

Think of the five people you spend the most time with, other than family. How many are either 10 years older or younger than you? Chip Conley with the Modern Elder Academy has been exploring this concept recently. “The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that building multi-generational workforces, and giving older employees greater […] Read more

A woman in a plaid shirt standing confidently in front of a cattle pen, with several cows feeding in the background

VIDEO: Tools for human resources and succession planning on the farm

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

Human resources is about “building systems and processes that keep the operation running, fostering a positive work environment and preparing for the unexpected,” says Viktoria Schuler, a project manager with the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council. Schuler was speaking at a virtual Farm Credit Canada (FCC) Connecting Women in Agriculture session on human resource management […] Read more



VIDEO: Depth of Field Extras

VIDEO: Depth of Field Extras

Aug. to Dec. 2024 | Jan. to June 2024 | Aug. to Dec. 2023 | Jan. to June 2023 | Aug. to Dec. 2022 Listen to the Depth of Field podcast on YouTube or Apple. February 2025: ‘Natural laws’ of mindset and decision-making (read column) January 2025: Strategic planning in the new year (read column) […] Read more


kelly sidoryk and lisa guenther

VIDEO: Strategic planning in the new year

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

We don’t plan to fail; we fail to plan. Allan Savory said this many times in my holistic management training and I think it bears repeating, particularly at this time of year. One strategic planning recommendation is to create an external, state-of-the-industry report, as well as an internal business update. To plan for the future, […] Read more



VIDEO: Looking at change and authenticity on the ranch

VIDEO: Looking at change and authenticity on the ranch

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

David Irvine has long been a mentor of mine and a leader in the field of organizational development. He began his career in family systems therapy and expanded from there. He now describes himself as the leadership navigator. Irvine hosts a monthly webinar to support people’s growth. One of the recent ones was titled “Embracing […] Read more

VIDEO: Nothing new here with transition planning, or is there?

VIDEO: Nothing new here with transition planning, or is there?

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

When visiting with a fellow producer at a recent industry conference, he said, “Succession, succession, succession. Every time I open a magazine or article, that is what it is all about.” So why are we continuing to talk (or write) about it? Because many of us are facing it, and struggling. It is hard. The […] Read more