This issue marks the debut of The Western Producer’s new look.
Though the general appearance of this newspaper has undergone slight changes over the years, the design you see on this and subsequent pages represents the first major redesign in 17 years. It was due and overdue.
The changes are aimed at giving readers a more dynamic news package that is easy to read and easy to navigate. This is not change for the sake of change. It’s change based on a desire to provide the best for Western Producer readers.
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It starts with a new flag, or nameplate, at the top of page 1 and carries through with a more open appearance and more information imparted through headlines and other text and graphic features.
The familiar sections – Markets, Opinion, Production, Livestock, Ag-Finance and Farm Living, are all here and in their same approximate locations. They will continue to complement the weekly agricultural news package that is a Producer hallmark.
We plan to augment the Production section to provide our readers with more information on agronomy, machinery innovation, new agricultural research and technology. We’re also putting more emphasis on livestock production information.
The process of building the new look began this spring with a survey of current readers and those with recently lapsed subscriptions. We asked what you liked best about the Producer and what you thought it lacked. You told us and we listened. Then we called in a few experts to help us make it happen.
We hope to display information in a more user-friendly way, with stories and items of various lengths so you can read the amount that suits your schedule.
We learned in our survey that readers spend an average of two hours reading one issue of the Producer. That length of time is virtually unheard of in the newspaper industry and we’re proud to provide a package that merits such attention.
The classified ad section, identified as another major strength, will remain a vital element of the package.
And speaking of packages, the printed Producer is augmented by improved markets information, weather data and searchable classifieds on the newly redesigned website at www.producer.com. The website also allows our editorial team to provide daily agricultural news and additional background information on weekly news stories.
Change can be disconcerting. We hope you’ll give our new design a chance to show its merits.
