Author Archives Bruce Dyck

The Western Producer’s letters to the editor section was once a bustling place. Pages 12 and 13 were always blocked off for letters with lots left over every week. Sometimes the surplus became so large that we had to find a couple of extra pages in the middle of the paper to ease the overflow. […] Read more

Trucker shortages are a perennial problem in Canada. Steps have been taken over the years, such as educational campaigns to convince prospective employees that driving truck can be a fulfilling career. Governments have also done their part, such as in Alberta, where a program was introduced to ease the cost of training. But a new […] Read more

I don’t remember doing a lot of berry picking as a kid. I certainly don’t remember receiving strict instructions to come back with full pails — or else. The few foraging expeditions that do stick in my head are remembered as relaxed affairs, but we were still expected to come back with something. These trips […] Read more

I wrote a column this winter about the future, focusing on the advancements made in producing meat from cells in a lab rather than from animals on a farm. While moaning about how our expectations for the future had been raised too high while we were kids, I wondered what ever happened to flying cars. […] Read more

I’ve been in this business long enough to know that it’s the least expected content that will generate reader complaints. We’ll publish a controversial story about this, that or the other thing and receive radio silence in return. But publish a photo of a little girl running across a farmyard while her father works on […] Read more

“I found these great videos, but don’t watch them before you eat.” That was the advice I received a couple weeks ago from my friend D’Arce McMillan, The Western Producer’s long-time markets editor who has since retired but still writes a weekly column for our Markets section. D’Arce was talking about videos showing what’s happening […] Read more

Farmers don’t usually cause international incidents. Instead, they’re usually at the receiving end of such incidents, whether it be restricted canola exports due to a Chinese temper tantrum or lost livestock sales resulting from misguided American protectionism. However, earlier this month a farmer from Belgium found himself as the key instigator of what could have […] Read more

A newspaper like The Western Producer never wants to glorify a farm pest, but sometimes we just can’t seem to help ourselves. I’m talking about the Richardson’s ground squirrel, more commonly known as the pesky gopher. These rodents are not the farmer’s friend, causing significant damage to hay, pasture and cropland. It’s been a serious […] Read more

Change is the only constant, they say, and I get that. However, what happens when one of life’s fundamental cornerstones turns upside down? I’m not talking about something trivial like politics or philosophy. I’m talking about the important stuff — like what happens in the kitchen. My wife and I started cooking with dry beans […] Read more

Rural depopulation has long been a troublesome trend. Larger farms and significant transportation improvements have helped remove people from the countryside for decades. Those who remain have for the most part carved out satisfactory lives for themselves, but inadequate internet and cellphone service are now threatening their place in modern society. Despite the historical context, […] Read more