It’s all about numbers this week; numbers and the inevitable questions they create.
One is for one big company, Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, which remains in the midst of economic turmoil this week. Once the largest grain company on the Prairies, with a 58 percent market share in Saskatchewan, pool is now second in size to Agricore United and has a 45 percent market share. What happens next? Prairie farmers can only watch as events unfold.
Two is for Feb. 2, otherwise known as Groundhog Day. Canadian rodents didn’t see their shadows on Sunday, which supposedly bodes well for a short winter. But no matter how much winter remains, won’t it seem like at least six weeks, regardless?
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Three is for the number of declared candidates in the federal Progressive Conservative leadership race. One of them is a Saskatchewan farmer. Is that likely to help or hinder his chances?
Four is the number of groundhogs that typically report on the winter weather situation. Wiarton Willie from Ontario and Punxsutawney Phil from Pennsylvania are well known. But Shubenacadie Sam from Nova Scotia and Buckeye Chuck from Ohio also have something to say. Who knew?
Five is the number of horses shot this year, by person or persons unknown, in an area between Gibbons and Bonnyville, Alta. The cowardly sniper(s) uses a .22 to maim or kill friendly family pets as they stand in pastures along highways 28 and 28A. Why is it always so disappointing to find fresh evidence that horses are vastly outnumbered by horse’s arses?
Six is for $6 million – the amount of money invested by Canadian Home Canning Inc. of Toronto in a plant to make snap lids for gem jars. The company will be competing this year against Bernardin, the corporation that quietly discontinued the lids last year. Now Bernardin has promised a manufacturing run this year so home canners can buy a lifetime supply, and it hints at continued manufacture. Where will you be buying your snap lids?
Seven is for the lost astronauts of the space shuttle Columbia, brave souls all. The how and why of their Feb. 1 deaths will be a long time in the answering.
Eight is for Feb. 8, which is Food Freedom Day. The Canadian Federation of Agriculture tells us that’s the day the average Canadian has earned enough money to pay for a year’s worth of food.
Does that mean the average Canadian will also realize his good fortune, and the role farmers play in that fortune?
