Ag beat familiar territory for new reporter

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Published: August 28, 2014

As the new intern at The Western Producer I hope to learn more about every part of agriculture — to build on my cattle background, as well as pick up new knowledge about other aspects of farm life.

I have a soft spot for cattle because of my time in 4-H, but everything from family farms to new crop varieties interests me. I hope to gain knowledge from my co-workers and from all the people that I talk to in the coming weeks.

I am from a farm northeast of White Fox, Sask. Our operation, Artesian Angus Farms, has three generations working on the farm. It started in 1959 with my grandpa, Don, and then my dad, Curtis, who began farming in 1979. My younger brother, Kole, has been farming since 2011.

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My mom, Shari, now retired from hairdressing, works full time on the farm. My sister, Triston, is studying at university, but plans to move back home when she’s done school to head the cattle operation.

Our farm has beef cattle and grain. We have about 750 head of Black Angus at this time of year and 6,500 acres of farmland, of which about 500 acres goes for silage.

We also have 2,000 acres of pasture and hayland.

We breed about 300 cows that calve on grass each year and also breed 125 to 130 heifers.

While growing up, I was heavily involved in farm life and worked alongside my siblings. Just like every other farming family I know we all worked together running the farm. When my mom was working full time as a hairdresser, I took over the household duties.

Making supper, cleaning and doing laundry were typical daily chores for me. But I also got out every now and again and fixed fence, washed equipment, trucked silage and checked cows. I also was involved in many activities growing up, including hockey, 4-H, volleyball, SRC and drama. So, occasionally I ventured away from the farm and got involved in extra-curricular and school activities.

After high school, although I loved the farm, I knew that it wasn’t exactly what I wanted to do in life. So I headed off to the city when I was 17 and found my calling, journalism. Through my years of schooling in Regina, I never forgot about the farm and agriculture. When I got into the journalism program we were told we get to apply for internships as part of our schooling. I was lucky enough to get an internship at The Western Producer and my love for the farm has re-emerged.

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