Toban Dyck: Predicting those curveballs

Farm life brings more and more responsibilities. Only change is predictable

Curveballs are hard to hit, but when you’re given nothing else, you’ll figure out a way. You’ll adapt. You’ll play the game differently. At least, you should. Farming is a continual lesson in this. It’s a day-in, day-out, year-in, year-out lesson in thriving amid constant flux. The weather is different every year and you’re forced […] Read more

There’s always more to learn

Toban Dyck is all in, learning what he needs to know about farming at full speed

I didn’t think to turn on the bin fans last night. I needed to be told. And when my dad asked what I’d be growing next year, it completely escaped me that fall is when I should make that decision. Jamie and I have been on the farm for six years; land renters for nearly […] Read more


A handful of the 303 combines that helped set a Guinness World Record this past August in Winkler.

Breaking a world record combine effort

The view from the cab during a record-breaking combine feat

I hadn’t intended to break a world record. I hadn’t intended to drive one of the 303 combines that simultaneously harvested a single field north of Winkler on August 4. Neither of these things were on my docket. And both of them happened. “I wonder how many dollars-worth of iron is on this field right […] Read more

Toban Dyck’s family farm is situated along the Dead Horse Creek in Manitoba, near a forest locally known as the Burlwade Woods.

Getting further into the farm business

A visit to the accountant leads to a new name for Toban Dyck’s old farm

Twitter was helpful the other day. I feel like that sentence uttered in earnest is so surprising and powerful that I could just drop the mic and walk off the stage. But, alas, I will stick around for a few more words. Jamie and I have reached a milestone (of sorts) in our farming story. […] Read more


Making a schedule and sticking to it

Taking time for off-farm pursuits requires a firm mindset and a strong constitution

It’s 2 p.m. Work is winding down. We’re just tinkering at this point, which, don’t get me wrong, is a valuable part of farming. I feel the pressure of a long list of off-farm tasks requiring my attention. I do a dry run in my head: “I should really head inside. I’ve got some writing […] Read more

Closeup shot of a man writing

My sister really likes your work

On accepting a compliment, and never making decisions in the winter

“My sister really likes your articles. She sent me one the other day.” He had one end of a heavy wardrobe and I had the other. We were helping a friend move. The piece of furniture we were tasked to relocate had been mistakenly placed upstairs during the frenzy. It needed to be downstairs, which, […] Read more


Getting to the grassroots

The hardest part about communicating with farmers is getting to the farmers

A convinced mind is hard to crack. Except if that mind belongs to a farmer. Then it’s nearly impossible. My job as director of communications with the Manitoba Pulse & Soybean Growers involves communicating with farmers. It is difficult. When I’m with my peers, we brainstorm better ways to reach them. We dream of beautiful, […] Read more

The Commodity Classic

Toban is on his way and ready to tackle one of U.S.’s largest ag conferences

I’m on an airplane in which I cannot stand. It’s an express flight from Winnipeg to Calgary. I have the window seat — 17F. The 14-month-old in row 16 couldn’t be cuter and has made it his mission to rope me into a game of peek a boo. I indulged. The game briefly wrested my […] Read more


Replacing the parts in ag

The ag industry needs a continuous supply of young people to take part

Agriculture is a machine in constant need of new parts. Its oil needs changing every few years. Its chains are working but worn. Its bearings could stand to be repacked. It’s an industry that needs to be as sharp as it can be. And it’s an industry that is only as strong as the people […] Read more

A visit to Manitoba’s KAP AGM

With some time on the farm under his belt, Toban Dyck feels at home at ag events

Last year’s event was eye opening. I witnessed real, everyday farmers affecting change. And I wrote about it here in Grainews. I wrote about the importance of getting involved because over the course of the two-day Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) AGM I saw grown men and women nervously walk up to one of two mics, […] Read more