Perhaps you noticed the “start of a new millennium” went largely unremarked in the pages of The Western Producer.
Notwithstanding the argument over whether 2000 is the true start of a century and a millennium, a look backward seemed redundant in light of a section we did two years ago recounting the previous 75 years of agricultural history.
An examination of western Canadian agriculture in the first 800 years of the past millennium would likely be brief: Hunting and gathering, in a vast prairie region featured on European maps with the notation “beyond this point, there be dragons.” Period.
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The last 200 years would provide more fodder, although the relative youth of western Canadian agriculture still presents challenges to the list-maker.
And there was no shortage of lists to welcome the new year, was there? Something about round numbers – the year 2000, with all its zeroes – proved irresistible. The Arts and Entertainment network courageously listed the 100 most important people of the millennium.
It is likely difficult for many in the newspaper business to argue with the number one choice Ð Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press.
A & E began its show with the observation that there was extensive debate over the list, and noted many will not agree with the choice of finalists.
It proves impossible to resist making a list as we begin 2000, so keep in mind those same provisos as you examine a few lists marking western Canadian agriculture in the 20th century.
- Primary bane of western Canadian agricultural existence during the last millennium: 1. Weather
- Top means of agriculture labor in the last millennium: 1. People 2. Horses
- Most plentiful crops in western Canada during the last millennium:
1. Grass 2. Weeds 3. Cereals
- Most plentiful livestock in western Canada in the last millennium: 1. Bison 2. Horses 3. Cattle 4. Anything with a remote chance of bringing a profit.
- Top conversational openers among western Canadian farmers in the last millennium: 1. Cold enough for ya? 2. Hot enough for ya? 3. How much rain did ya get last night? 4. You want HOW MUCH for that? 5. Let me tell you what’s wrong with government …
Now that we’ve looked backward, let’s commence looking ahead.
Happy New Year.
