We are specialists at quantifying, qualifying, and finding ways to increase value for our clients. We provide advisory services to clients needing expertise and knowledge in agriculture.
Serecon provides services in a broad range of agriculture sectors including crop and livestock production, upstream industries like seed and fertilizer, and downstream industries like grain handling and food processing. Our clients also include those sectors that support agriculture like government, industry associations, academic and research as well as litigation matters.
See a description of our sub-services in the information boxes below.
At Serecon, we focus on the business side of agriculture. While we understand primary production, and the operational side of upstream and downstream businesses, we focus on economics, business strategy, risk management and other aspects of how to manage your business and develop your industry.
A business plan can be an important document for business operators. A complete business plan will identify what you do as a company or organization, how you are structured and organized, provide information about the market and competition in which you operate, identify your goals, and lay out a plan in order to reach those goals. Included in the business plan will be a detailed analysis of the investment requirement, human resource strategy, marketing plan, and the financial projection of how the company is expected perform.
Case Study: Example of Business Plan
Contact: Business Plan specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Serecon has extensive experience in completing detailed cost of production studies for agriculture production. For example, we have worked with supply-managed industries across Canada to develop and maintain accurate cost of production.
The process involves developing survey tools to collect production and financial data. Serecon develops online and in-person interview and survey tools. Our strength lies in our staff having farming backgrounds, enabling us to obtain and identify accurate information in the field. This information is collated into models that calculate average costs of production for an industry or subset of an industry.
Sample cost-of-production studies: vegetables and hemp.
Contact: Cost of Production specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Serecon has calculated the economic impact of various industries and their subsectors. Clients need to ensure that their estimates of their industry's economic impact are accurate, and can be updated over time.
Modelling economic impact is relatively straightforward, but ensuring the accuracy of the data input into a model is crucial. Serecon has extensive experience developing these models and populating them with reliable data, through our extensive contacts in all elements of the agriculture and food systems.
Contact: Economic Impact Analyst or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
At Serecon, we focus on the business side of agriculture. Our expertise allows us to work with clients in accurately evaluating the financial and commercial viability of a new venture, product or service. Serecon utilizes all sources of relevant information including potential customers, distributors, suppliers, and competitors.
An accurate feasibility study completed by agriculture industry experts assists in attracting further investment if the proposal is a 'go', and saves time and money if it is a 'no go'.
Contact: Feasibility Study specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Municipalities and regions have become increasingly involved in preparing action plans for improved access to fresh and healthy food for their residents. Often, these focus on or include elements of urban agriculture. Serecon has significant expertise developing policies and plans based on partnerships, collaboration and the effective use of resources.
Our experience developing strategic agricultural or food plans range from large urban centres in western Canada to smaller communities in Canada's north. Regardless of the location, we know how to not just involve -- but truly engage -- all relevant stakeholders.
Contact: Food and Agriculture Planning specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
There are many sources of funding available to producers, companies, associations, and researchers trying to implement new systems and technologies, access new markets, and find solutions to challenges they face. Serecon helps identify the sources of funding available and assists in writing effective proposals to access those funds.
We are particularly aware of what is required to access funds, due in large part to our experience developing programs and providing unbiased program reviews for public sector clients. We assess government program rationale, objectives, effectiveness of design, efficiency of administration, and measure the impact of the activities undertaken. Several staff also have first-hand experience developing and administering government programs.
Examples of our work:
Contact: Government Program specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Serecon has worked extensively for industry organizations, associations and governments, often working collaboratively with each other, in developing inventories of industry capacity and plans for the future. We determine the structure, trends, opportunities and threats facing an industry or sector through:
Our services often go beyond just developing a picture of an industy's status quo. Serecon adds value by helping to develop strategies, policies, and action plans with industry stakeholders.
Whether for government or an industry organization, it is crucial that all stakeholders be involved in planning.
Examples of our work:
Contact: Industry Study specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Serecon's team collects and delivers meaningful market intelligence for the agri-food industry on domestic and export market opportunities, and potential competition and risk. Qualitative and quantitative approaches allow for the determination of target market size, consumer response, market scope, and value.
The scope of our market research and consulting services includes:
Serecon uses the results of market intelligence to provide recommendations to clients on how to improve strengths or opportunities and manage weaknesses or threats.
Contact: Market Intelligence specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
We are experienced at providing unbiased third-party analyses, primarily for public sector programs and policies. We assess program rationale, objectives, effectiveness of design, efficiency of administration, and measure the impact of the activities undertaken. Generally, this will go beyond just cost / benefit analysis to detailed recommendations for changes or alternative policy / program strategies.
A thorough program evaluation by a credible outside expert is useful for justifying expenditures and planning future program initiatives.
Contact: Program Evaluator or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Serecon is recognized across Canada and internationally for its work in animal disease risk management and livestock biosecurity measures. We work with government and producer organizations to help build detailed plans to enhance the biosecurity status of Canada's herds.
Our biosecurity-related work has included the development of high-level standards and policies. However, we realize that true biosecurity stems from the aggregate of individual producer decisions and actions. We take particular pride, therefore, in having developed producer-friendly tools for assessing and improving farm-level biosecurity.
Examples of our work:
Contact: Risk Management and Biosecurity specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Strategic plans are used by companies, association and industry as road maps to reach goals. They identify key activities and how and when they will be implemented, and what resources will be allocated in order to reach those goals.
While our experience is in every facet of agriculture, our expertise has also been applied to other industries such as insurance. Serecon has extensive experience in helping guide strategic planning processes by:
Case Study: Example of Strategy Development
Contact: Strategic Planning specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Succession planning is an equally important issue from the family farm to large corporations. It is crucial for companies and associations to understand how they will continue to grow and how they will develop strong management to take over as existing management retires. Serecon views succession planning as a key part of your overall business plan, and will work with you to develop a succession plan that is right for your situation.
Serecon will complete a detailed review of your operation and people, along with an assessment of the business environment and competition in which you operate. Serecon will then work with management to develop a plan that will allow to company to meet its goals, while allowing current management to retire or evolve into different roles. These plans may include training of staff, transfer of ownership, and implementation of new systems and technology to assist future management.
Contact: Succession Planner or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
Serecon has developed indicators and indexes of environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural production. By working with a diverse group of stakeholders, including agricultural and food processing/retail organizations, we have developed quantitative indicators to accurately reflect farm-level activities. These indicators model the environmental impact of farm operations, including:
For details, see our 2011 report on Sustainability Metrics.
Serecon has also developed proprietary software which will allow for the accurate quantification of the efficiency of field crop operations. In addition to modeling of energy use and climate impact, our software can been applied in many situations, based on client needs, including:
Contact: Sustainability specialist or 780-448-7440 / 403-216-2100
January 4, 2021
The year ahead is looking to be full of interesting projects for Serecon. Specifically in regard to our management consulting work, the transition into 2021 continues to revolve around quantifying, qualifying, and finding ways to increase value for our clients coming from a range of agriculture sectors like government, industry associations, and the…
(An annual analysis of farmland value trends in western Canada)
