One of our staff can now claim to be the best agricultural photographer in North America. Michael Raine is also the first Canadian to win the American Agricultural Editors’ Association photo contest. The AAEA is made up of publishers, editors and journalists from magazines, daily and weekly newspapers and other communications professionals from across North […] Read more
Stories by Elaine Shein
Ostrich bubble bursts; don’t expect quick riches
Elaine Shein is Producer managing editor. An ostrich sale was halted recently in Red Deer because no bids drew higher than $50. On another occasion, an Alberta rancher showed off a pair of what he calls his $40,000 boots. That’s how much he says his ostrich cost when he bought it, but it became boots […] Read more
Senator’s attendance record prompts ridicule
Elaine Shein is Producer managing editor. If any of us were expected to show up for work and appeared only 12 times (out of more than 450 occasions) in seven years, we would be either fired or our farm would go out of business. We surely would not continue to be paid almost $65,000 a […] Read more
Missed issue
In its 74 years of history, the Western Producer has only twice missed publishing a scheduled issue. The paper has survived world wars, a collapsed roof due to a storm, raging blizzards and a power outage caused by an electrocuted crow. In the fall of 1994, our staff went on strike as part of a […] Read more
Fertilizer co-op assures farmers of reliable supply
STOCKTON, Calif. – When a tight world supply and high fertilizer prices hurt Canadian farmers in recent years, California’s farmers also felt the pressure. But they had a co-operative to guarantee them a reliable and economical supply of anhydrous ammonia, and return them healthy dividends at the end of the year. The existence of the […] Read more
Traveling staff
Two of our staff are experiencing journalism in unfamiliar settings for a couple of weeks. Karen Briere, our Regina correspondent, is working in Ottawa with Barry Wilson. Although she is familiar with covering provincial politics, this opportunity will help her gain new contacts and learn the ropes on covering national politics. She will learn more […] Read more
Props for pix
During a conference for agricultural journalists from around the United States and Canada held recently, a journalist from a respected U.S. publication said her fellow staff sometimes carry props in the trunks of their cars. Why? If they want to photograph farmers spraying and they aren’t wearing protective gear, the journalists take out the proper […] Read more
Growers link with airport to get to overseas markets
STOCKTON, Calif. – Getting cherries to overseas markets can be the pits. Five years ago, fruit growers near this city in California’s central interior were frustrated at air carriers treating their perishable fruit as a low priority. Cherries would often be left to spoil for eight hours or more in 50 C heat on airport […] Read more
Their name on the box ensures quality
STOCKTON, Calif. – As each box rolls along the conveyor belt, apple growers Bob Brocchini and Fred Podesta feel proud their names are written on it. However, they admit there’s also pressure. As growers, “we’re very cautious. Our names are with the company on the box and we want to make sure there’s quality,” said […] Read more
Internet newspapers
Internet trivia time: how many newspapers are on the worldwide web? An Illinois research and consulting firm called NewsLink Associates announced a month ago that more than 3,600 newspapers are now online in the world. NewsLink estimated more than 4,000 would be online by the end of the year. However, that number may already be […] Read more
