VAL MARIE, Sask. – Larry Grant’s involvement in his community and his industry likely comes from examples set long ago.
Or maybe it’s in his genes.
His grandfather, who in 1910 moved from Ontario to settle along the Frenchman River, was instrumental in establishing a local school and served as an MLA from 1926 to 1934. His father sat on the board of the Saskatchewan Stock Growers Association for more than 30 years.
Larry and his brother, Lynn, took that involvement to heart. Lynn has long been involved in the SSGA and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
Read Also
Agriculture ministers agree to AgriStability changes
federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
And the list of Larry’s contributions grew last month when he took his place on the first-ever elected board of the Saskatchewan Cattlemen’s Association.
His philosophy is to become involved rather than complain about the job someone else is doing.
“We’ve got lots to gain,” he said of the new organization. “I hope we listen to all (producer groups) and come up with the best battle plan.”
Grant was a school trustee for 13 years and has been a rural municipal councillor since 1997.
He has also been on agriculture minister Bob Bjornerud’s advisory committee to the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program since it was created.
He and his wife Sherry raised four sons, drove to countless hockey games and built their ranch operation in one of the driest parts of the Prairies.
“I bet it took me two years to get used to it,” said Sherry, who grew up on Vancouver Island. She became a competent operator of tractors and trucks and spent hours watering the 10,000 trees they planted in their yard.
The lack of moisture is the limiting factor for operations in this area.
“If we don’t get spring moisture this year, that will be the seventh year in a row,” Larry said.
Stocking rates are already low at five cow/calf pairs per quarter. Some don’t have enough land to raise enough cattle to make a living, he said. Poor prices don’t help.
“We produce the best and safest food in the world,” Grant said. “It’s just too bad we couldn’t get more money for it.”
Two of the Grants’ sons – Dustin and Bryce –are involved in the operation.
They work off the farm part time because there isn’t enough income for everyone. The other two sons are Dairus and Brett.
The Grants will calve out about 300 cows from Angus bulls in April. The replacement heifers will start three weeks earlier.
The ranch and farm includes 600 acres of hay, 5,300 acres of grass and 2,000 cultivated acres. All three men have allocations in the Val Marie Community Pasture.
The ranch is close to both federal and provincial pastures acquired by the governments in the 1930s after people moved to escape the drought.
Grant isn’t exactly sure why his family stayed.
The Grants became grandparents to twins last May, but he isn’t yet sure if another generation will ranch.
