Moving from “just new here” to “experienced”

Moving ahead on the learning curve requires you to make a mental switch

Eventually, I will get it. Eventually, I will understand farming and agriculture. I don’t know when, though. And when I retreat inside my own brain to take stock what I do in fact know, the process gets interrupted by questions such as, what does it really mean to know or learn anything? The first time […] Read more

The value of on-farm research

The value of on-farm research

On the farm, “value” and money aren’t necessarily always the same thing

The notion of value is a tricky one. For many, it unequivocally refers to money. When a new product promises to deliver more value to your farm, most of us take that to mean that product is going to increase our profits. Or, if not explicitly that, it will make our farms better in a […] Read more


Building a relationship with readers

At the start of the New Year, Toban reflects on his Grainews column to date

Thank you. From the foundations of who I am today and all that I’ve done in the last five years, I’d like to express my gratitude to you, Grainews readers and farmers, for being supportive; for listening; for engaging; and for being one of the most fruitful audiences I’ve ever had. Don’t worry. I am […] Read more

Too busy not to look after the long-term plan

Even when you're in the thick of things, take time to focus on yourself and your goals

I had a moment of lucidity. It came amid what turned out to be a few weeks of absolute frenzy. I had been busy. On the farm, we were rushing to finish the fall fieldwork before the snow and cold weather was scheduled to hit. At work, a series of projects were coming to a […] Read more


Keeping the rural identity in prairie towns

Keeping the rural identity in prairie towns

When Prairie towns grow and change, some may shed their farming roots

It’s strange to think of cities, towns or villages as having an identity. But they all do. And every community, growing or stagnant or dwindling will at many points throughout its run be faced with the existential and difficult question: who am I? This is especially relevant for the large swath of rural Canadian communities […] Read more

Harvesting of soybean field with combine

Seeding ideas about the rural/urban divide

A farmers musings on the growing lack of communication between city-dwellers and farmers

I got some grease on me the other day. Heck. It looked as if I had bathed in the stuff. And, you know what? It felt great. I even got a few scrapes. The kind of scrapes you only notice later, after the work, when you’re sitting down with a good book or while watching […] Read more


Putting in those long spring working days

When there are clouds in the sky, there’s no time to waste when the crop’s not in yet

I had about 50 acres left to seed at 10 p.m. on May 15. The forecast was calling for rain starting at about midnight. But that was for Winkler. I wasn’t near Winkler. I was closer to the system that was rolling east. I didn’t think I’d be able to finish. The system was above […] Read more

The power of saying yes to opportunities

Agreeing to try something new, just saying “yes” can bring many benefits — personal and professional

In March of 2016, I said yes to something I knew very little about, something that would take me off the farm. I was reticent at first. I wanted to remain committed to the farm, and I did not want my working away from the yard leave more work for others. I’ve been at Manitoba […] Read more


I’m ashamed of my cropping plans, but I’m guessing I’m not alone.

Crop rotation planning shenanigans

After a couple of seasons on the farm, it’s time to re-consider crop planning strategies


The following is about shenanigans. My shenanigans. But it is also about folklore versus science; coffee-shop advice versus better judgment; the devil on your shoulder versus the truth. Specifically, though, this is about crop planning. And by the end of this piece, I hope we both will have learned something. Because, contrary to the familiar […] Read more

Concern about public concerns

Farmers don't generally trust urban views. This won't help us move forward

Recently I was elected president of the Stanley Agricultural Society. The nomination shocked me. The election results also shocked me. It was my first time being the subject of a vote. I sat there, looking around at Society members cast their ballots. My leg was jumping. My heart was pounding. I was sweating. I already […] Read more