HANLEY, Sask. – Chad Haaland laughs while visualizing a five-year goal for him and his wife, Carissa.“I might be one of the first cowboys to drive a Mercedes Benz with poop on my boots and spurs on,” he said.The couple has been involved in the cattle industry since 2006 after buying a half section from a relative southwest of Hanley, Sask.The farm came with a key upside.“When we had the chance to purchase this place, it was a great opportunity because it was across the road from Mom and Dad. We work daily with them both,” he said.Timing was critical and soon after the purchase, they began a business venture with Blairs.Ag Cattle Company of Lanigan, Sask. The Haalands manage its cattle.“They pay me a summer rate for pasture and then they pay me a different rate during the winter when they’re at home here and I’m feeding them,” he said.They started with 37 purebred Red Angus in October 2006 and today custom feed 250 head of primarily Red Angus, but also Black Angus and Horned Herefords.They feed the animals on the home section and rented land nearby in winter.In summer, the cattle are trucked to summer pastures east of Hanley, Sask.“We’re 90 percent custom,” he said.They also custom graze yearlings and cow-calf pairs for others.“It’s a lot of work moving them from here to pasture but we have the economy of time. It makes it worthwhile if you can stay out there for quite awhile. Ideally it would be best to be in one location,” he said.Chad is living his dream of being a cowboy.“I’m doing what I always wanted to do,” he said.Carissa was born in the city but always knew her heart was more rural. They met at a branding and were married in 2001.“I love the tranquility out here and now, having been in the community, I love the people,” she said.“It’s a good strong Christian community here, which is really nice. No matter what circumstances you’re in, people are willing to help however they can. Here, there’s so much distance between people and yet you’re so close with them,” she said.They have two boys and a girl under age seven: Cadence, Cassidy and Cohen.On June 18, they will attend an award luncheon in Regina hosted by the Western Canada Farm Progress Show, as one of three families nominated this year for Saskatchewan’s Outstanding Young Farmer.Chad said there’s a lot of forward thinking progressive producers in the organization.“It might translate into more business opportunities and challenge our thoughts a bit more,” he said.Carissa enjoys the other couples and the opportunity to learn from them.The Haalands embrace challenges and new opportunities.“There are not a lot of people that do what we do. We try to find innovative ways to make money,” Chad said.They admit the monetary reward from farming isn’t as great as the lifestyle, but believe diversification is key.“Build your weaknesses as well because if you don’t get comfortable at being uncomfortable, you’re not growing,” Carissa said.Chad agreed. “If you’re not changing, you’re dying, in a sense. We’re always ready to move on something if we have to.”In an effort to stay at home with the children and create off-farm income, Carissa started selling wellness and personal skin care products and has seen her income steadily grow.“I was looking for something that I would have a residual income,” she said.“My next level of management is regional vice-president and that is when you get the company car, which is a Mercedes Benz. I’m very excited about that,” Carissa said.Chad shares her excitement for the future.“She’s going to be supporting me and I’ll be able to do what I’m doing for fun. It’s kind of the way it’s shaping up,” he said.
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