Our Research
We know that current information is important to you. Since its inception, AMI has been proactively conducting research and initiating specific projects to fill industry farm business management gaps and needs.
To find out more about our research, follow the links below.
AMI Value Chain Final Report
Benchmarking the Nature of Value Chain Relationships in Ontario Agriculture and Determining a Value Chain Related Business Plan for AMI (click here)
Three overarching purposes lay behind this farmer-focused project. It sought to determine the nature of business relationships existing between Ontario producers, their customers, and the value chain(s) in which they operate. It also sought to determine the factors that have shaped these relationships and what they are enabling the involved businesses to achieve. The third objective was to determine the activities and programs that the Agricultural Management Institute (AMI) could undertake to encourage and enable more Ontario farmers to adopt value chain management practices, and propose a long-term business strategy for AMI.
AMI Baseline Study on Farm Business Management Planning
Part 1 contains study methodology, qualitative research including perceived challenges and advantages to farm management planning, types of planning farmers engage in and to what effect, and key conclusions and implications regarding the current level of planning.
This section also contains the first portion of the quantitative study which shows a snapshot of current farm business profiles and farm financial overview, as well as FBM engagement such as goals and barriers to success.
Click here to view Part 1 (Slides 1-52)
Parts II & III contain the remainder of the segmentation related information including awareness and familiarity with FBM planning, most/least important plan types and what is included in FBM plans, planning behaviour assessments, the extent to which outside advice is used and what type.
Click here to view Part II (Slides 53-78)
Click here to view Part III (Slides 79-106)
Agricultural Value Chains: Industry Capacity Building Workshop “Working on Common Ground” Summary Report
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White Paper on the Global Economic Crisis: Winning Strategies for Ontario Agriculture
AMI Think Tanks
In fall 2006, we held five Think Tanks across the province as well as a Farm Business Management and Planning conference. More than 200 participants, representing all aspects of Ontario agriculture, shared their perceptions and opinions on farm business management and changes that will impact the industry. What we heard during those meetings shaped our future direction.
Symposium on Farmers Working in Small Groups
On September 6th and 7th 2007 the AMI conducted a Think Tank Symposium entitled: “Farmers Working in Small Groups for Improved Profitability and Quality of Life.” The Symposium welcomed 15 panellists and 18 observers to bring forth ideas, experiences and lessons learned through established management groups. The 15 panellists came from different regions of Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba as well as Wisconsin, USA. As expected, discussions, rather than leading to a consensus, tended to reflect a variety of views and ideas. What we heard during the symposium provided a wealth of information to consider while examining farm led peer groups. The challenge now to the AMI and other agricultural organizations is to facilitate small networking group development by supplying success stories, adapted models and effective mechanisms. AMI invites anyone reading the summary to react to it. You can send us your thoughts, or a document, or refer us to a website, or put us in touch with a success story you are aware of.
Survey Regarding Farm Business Advisors
In the winter of 2007-2008 the Agricultural Management Institute issued a survey to farmers and farm business advisors to assess the current level of farmers’ awareness and accessibility to farm business management resources. The assessment also identified gaps between available resources, farm business advisors training and farmers’ expectations. Results provided the basis for creating specific training materials and communication tactics to bridge any gaps.