LOREBURN, Sask. — Staying ahead of the curve, taking big risks and balancing work and family are ingredients in Lionel and Melody Ector’s recipe for success on the farm.
They operate Diefenbaker Seed Processors and Stulor Farms in central Saskatchewan, growing, cleaning and processing specialty crops for domestic and export markets.
“Everything is one hour away. We can operate a successful business here,” said Melody.
The family, which includes children Michael, 21, Stephanie, 19, Barbara, 17, and Stuart, 15, grows coriander, canola and wheat on 4,000 acres, and has grown crops such as durum, lentils and chickpeas.
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“We have to grow what will pay the bills,” said Lionel.
“We started growing chickpeas, coriander and one thing led to another. We got in before the explosion of the pulse industry,” said Melody.
She focuses on marketing at the 26,000 sq. foot seed plant, which started in 1997 and now employs nine workers from the district, while Lionel oversees the farm and plant.
Michael works full time on the farm and his siblings are employed part time and in summers. Lionel’s parents also help when needed.
“If you enjoy what you’re doing, it never seems like actual work,” said Michael, who credited his father’s mild temperament for their successful work relationship.
Lionel approaches problems as “how can we present it better rather than chewing you out,” said Michael.
“I don’t say a lot,” added Lionel. “Everyone knows to do it the best way.”
Stephanie works in the office and will attend a food trade show in New Jersey with her father this summer.
“Dad is very thorough and makes us think about it,” she said.
“It’s more than just a summer job, it’s a learning experience.”
Family time is important to the Ectors, who used to split their time between Saskatoon and the farm before building a two-storey home on the farm.
“We realize that time passes quickly and we don’t want to let it pass by,” said Lionel.
Melody said they shorten work days to take in the children’s sports and let their staff do the same with their families. They also keep their boat docked at nearby Lake Diefenbaker.
The family decided to build a home on site during the plant’s early days, feeling that the money would have gone into the business if they hadn’t.
Building a home and plant and investing in bigger farm equipment were big risks, but calculated ones, they concede.
“We had everything on the line and we had to make it work,” said Lionel.
He said employing good workers, using high tech equipment and maximizing crop inputs make the business run more efficiently.
“There’s a return there,” said Lionel. “It’s not just a financial accounting measure. It’s an intangible.”
The Ectors moved from farming into processing to create export opportunities for them and the farmers they buy from in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the United States. The company custom packs orders from one pound to one tonne quantities.
They import some products to increase the variety of products available through Diefenbaker Seeds and their newest brand, Kashmir Valley.
“We are the source,” said Lionel, echoing the company’s motto.
The company deals with longtime repeat customers and caters to smaller customers who often repackage their product. The plant is hazard analysis critical control point and ISO certified and offers halal and kosher products.
The Ectors said it’s not unusual to see auditors or buyers on the farm, and renovated an on-site kitchen to accommodate visitors at meal times.
They were Saskatchewan’s outstanding young farmer recipients in 2003 and have travelled extensively to trade shows such as the Sial food show in Toronto in May to seek out new markets, gauge trends and talk directly to customers.
They have also taken numerous courses such as business administration, mechanics and agriculture.
Their short-term plans include increasing Michael’s stake in the family business.
“We’ll do more of the same and let Michael have the experience to make more of the key decisions,” said Lionel.
