Chad and Darlene Krikau of Waldheim, Sask., are the province’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2013.
Judges selected the couple from among five nominees at Canada’s Farm Progress Show June 21 in Regina. They will represent the province during the national competition at Canadian Western Agribition in Regina in mid-November.
The couple said they were shocked to win, considering the caliber of the other nominees.
They and their two children, Liam and Kalyna, operate Stream Stick Farms Ltd., a 2,630-acre grain farm.
The couple started small, when Chad rented 110 acres from his father in 1995 and planted flax.
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In 2007, they owned 530 acres.
The rapid expansion over the past six years has come with the help of neighbours and family.
“We’ve managed to work with our neighbours to share labour, to use their equipment off the start,” said Chad. “A year ago we got together with the same neighbours and there was a farm for sale in the area. We purchased that farm as a group.”
He said the deal was made largely on a handshake, and the neighbours all remain friends today.
“Relationships are important regardless of the career,” added Darlene, who was a teacher before she and Chad took the headlong plunge into farming.
They all remain independent farmers and continue to help each other out. Last year proved challenging when rain flooded the crop after seeding and it didn’t fully recover. Then wind damage caused problems.
“This year we seeded most of the acres and the crop is ahead of the moisture a little bit,” Chad said.
“We’ve got a little excess moisture right now but the crop looks good and I think we’ll be OK.”
The Krikaus planted hard red spring wheat, canola and oats this year. Barley also works into the rotation. Chad said they are concerned about clubroot in canola and their tight rotation.
“So we’re trying some soybeans this year for the first time, just a little 15-acre strip by the farm, and we’re excited to see how that comes around,” he said.
Although their farm is traditional in many ways, in other ways it isn’t.
Darlene seeded more crop than Chad did this spring, for example.
“She also combines basically the whole crop, too, and I guess I do a lot of the things in between to keep the machines rolling along with our help at the farm.”
Chad continues to work on contract as an agronomist with Wendland Ag. Ten years ago he was full time but said his employer recognized his desire to farm.
The couple also visits classrooms to teach city students about agriculture, coach hockey and soccer and volunteer in their community and church.
The other nominees for this year’s OYF honour were:
- Christopher and Rachel Buhler, a brother and sister duo who operate Floating Gardens Ltd. in Osler.
- Kristjan and Theresa Hebert of Hebert Grain Ventures in Moosomin.
- Tyler and Pamela Smith from Smith Northern Ranching at Duck Lake and Brennan.
- Cara Wiens from Wiens Seed Farm at Herschel.
