Ever since Noah Steinley was a little kid, he knew he wanted to take over the family farm.
Growing up near Rush Lake, Sask., Steinley never wanted to be anything other than a farmer.
“It’s because it’s what my dad, my uncle, my grandpa did,” Steinley said. “And they’ve always been big influences in my life. So I want to do what they do.”
The Steinleys operate a ranch with both polled Hereford and Black Angus cattle. Originally started in 1949 by Steinley’s grandfather, Noah will be the third generation on the land.
Read Also
Restaurant blends zero waste, ancient farming
A Mexico City restaurant has become a draw for its zero-waste kitchen, which means that every scrap of food and leftovers is reused for other purposes.
“It’s the family farm. It’s something I’ve wanted to take over since I was a little kid. It means a lot to me to not let it go. I don’t want the land to be sold to someone else. I feel like I’m the best person to be running the land and taking care of our cattle.”
At 19 years of age, Steinley hasn’t thought too much about what he would want to incorporate or change about the operation when he takes over. For now, he’s just looking ahead to farming full time.
“That’s still a ways away. You have to see how the market changes,” he said. “There’s just a lot of factors into that.”
Although Steinley would like to be farming full time, he’s currently getting a bachelor of science degree at the University of Regina in actuarial science — the study of risk associated with insurance, pension, and investment plans. He also plays football for the Regina Thunder.
“Dad said I needed a job before I could buy the farm, so I figured this one I would enjoy,” Steinley said with a laugh.
“Farming isn’t always the most consistent business. So you need a second source of income a lot of the time.”
Near Raymore, Sask., another young producer is gearing up to take over the family business. Brayden Sentes grew up on Sentes Farms. Though the family grows grain, the main activity involves 800 head of Simmental-Red Angus cattle, as well as 50 purebred Red Angus cows.
The Sentes farm is well established, with generations of producers who have already farmed the land.
“Not everybody gets to make it to the fifth generation,” Sentes said. “It’s pretty important to get that far.”
For Sentes, it’s not just the farm he’s inheriting — it’s also the legacy of all the producers who came before him in his family.
“It kind of feels like something to look forward to,” he said. “It’s something to pass on to other people eventually, one day.”
Although Sentes Farms also has a bit of grain, Brayden likes working with the cattle the most.
“I just like seeing the different genetics every year,” Sentes said. “I look forward to calving season, just to see all of the year’s work go into that.”
Like Steinley, Sentes isn’t looking at anything specific for his succession of the farm. He’s excited about all of it.
“Just being able to say that you farm full time, that’s what I’m looking forward too.”
Sentes will be taking over the farm alongside his cousin, Austin Sentes.
