Joanne Paulson

I’m at Agribition, taking in the Angus auction sale. It has become part of my tradition. I’m in the second row, sitting next to livestock reporter Barbara Duck-worth, and about two paces away from a young auctioneer. The sale guide is in my lap, and I look down at the picture of the next pretty […] Read more

It was likely not a surprise to most that little agricultural policy discussion occurred at the recent Conservative party convention in Calgary. I think it’s safe to say there were other things on the prime minister’s mind. Besides, most governing party conventions, at least of late, have given short shrift to agricultural policy. It is […] Read more

Every year about this time, Western Producer editors interview members of the new crop of journalists coming through the University of Regina’s journalism school (forever christened J-school in the industry). Next September, one of those young journalists will join us for a three month practicum. These practicums are fantastic for on-the-ground, or in our case, […] Read more

I guess I knew it was coming some day soon, but when Barry Wilson handed me a letter an-nouncing his retirement, I still went into shock. Barry has been writing for The Western Producer for 35 years. I don’t remember a time when Barry wasn’t part of the weekly mix of stories, columns, and more […] Read more

When I arrived in the office one morning last week, Farm Living editor Karen Morrison and web editor Paul Yanko were unpacking a large and heavy box. “Come and see our haul,” Karen said. Was it Christmas? Someone’s birthday? A fertilizer delivery? No! They were unpacking plaques that were presented to Western Producer journalists at […] Read more

You can’t get anything past Western Producer readers. Not that we were trying to do so, but it’s amazing what careful readers you are. Recently, we published a photograph on page one of a man lying under a header and grinding away on a repair job. The sparks were flying, far enough and hot enough […] Read more

If you’re into following celebrities on social media, you may have noticed Martha Stewart’s little public tirade last week on Twitter. It seems Martha smashed her iPad and gave Apple a good tongue-lashing, in front of her three million-ish followers, for not having picked it up for repair. This was one day after the wreck […] Read more

Arlene Dickinson of Dragon’s Den fame spoke to a business crowd in Saskatoon last week, and I felt compelled to attend. Nuggets of wisdom are always welcome from the successful. Her subject was success, failure and entrepreneurialism, and the message was that we need to celebrate success and reward failure. Failure, she said, is a […] Read more

You’ll remember me when the west wind moves Upon the fields of barley You’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky As we walk in the fields of gold. — From Fields of Gold, by Sting The winter was cold, white and endless. The spring brought rain, but July brought shivery days and chilly nights. […] Read more