Lees insight

I just sent in a request to head office asking for the next two to three weeks off to protest. Still waiting on that answer. I am not sure what I will protest, but I am sure I can find some good cause – change of government, improved agricultural policy, more beef in Taco Time […] Read more

Today in the world…snow storm of the century is barreling across the U.S. and into eastern Canada; waterlogged Australia is bracing for a typhoon of biblical proportions; some guy in B.C. thought it made sense to shoot and cut the throats of a 100 dogs because his boss told him to; Twitter continues to work […] Read more

I know I haven’t the resources or connections to be aware of everyone involved in the agriculture industry who passes away, but I have recently been sorry to read about the deaths of three who I have had some contact with over the years. A few weeks ago I was sorry to learn Rob Stenson […] Read more

Alberta’s Bill 36 explained The Western Stock Growers Association is sponsoring a series of seminars in Alberta in January to explain to landowners, what it sees is the potential impact of three new pieces of legislation including Bill 36, the proposed Alberta Land Stewardship Act. In a news release: “WSGA President, Bill Hanson describes the […] Read more

 (Editor’s note: If you read on long enough you’ll find there are courses coming up.) I don’t know why the world doesn’t leave the poor farmer alone to grow his crops, and forget all this nonsense about marketing. How important is that? But there seems to be this ongoing persistence to “learn about marketing”. I […] Read more

I spent part of my Christmas break buying bulls. A guy tries to get a rest from the demands of being “all knowing” about the livestock industry, but when your brother-in-law asks you for help in buying bulls and you’re staying at his place, you go. We went to Big Rock Simmentals at Creston, B.C. […] Read more

It wouldn’t totally surprise me one day, to see a news report that the body of a certain Alberta Agriculture soil specialist was found dead, under mysterious circumstances, in a grain field. (Don’t get me wrong I am not wishing any ill will what so ever on long-time soil scientist Ross McKenzie – I like […] Read more

A grain farming couple from Saskatchewan and market gardeners from Ontario were named Canada’s newest Outstanding Young Farmers (OYF), Friday, at a national awards ceremony held at the elegant Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. Ryan and Lauren Maurer, who crop 11,300 acres with their family at Grenfell, Saskatchewan, and Steve and Lisa Cooper, who along […] Read more

I am not sure whether to feel sorry for farmers or give them credit. It is impossible for producers to go anywhere – to a conference, trade show, field day, wherever – without some very knowledgeable and trustworthy person telling them “this is the product to buy that will give you that little extra ummph […] Read more

Whether you are a crop or livestock producer there are important events coming up over the next three weeks, you should plan to attend. SACA – MEDICINE HAT, AB The Southern Alberta Conservation Association is holding a two day conference Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, 2010 at the Medicine Hat Exhibition Centre in Medicine Hat. […] Read more