As we roll into the final stretch of 2024, it’s time to reminisce, read a few best-of-the-year lists and either avoid or seek eggnog.
This year, Prairie farmers are likely grateful that their grain handling systems and haying equipment were busy after some very dry and hard years. Crop prices are down, but the drought has let up a bit.
That may not be a major consolation, but it is an example of the drastic ups and downs the industry is accustomed to facing, with its dependence on weather and markets that can both swing wildly with little notice.
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In terms of glad tidings, the first quarter of this crop year has seen the second largest export program for grains, oilseeds and pulses in the past 10 years, with 12.2 million tonnes of Canadian exports inspected by the Canadian Grain Commission.
Margins look either tight or non-existent for most crops heading into the new year, but the strong demand for Canadian crops is an excellent sign that the world wants what farmers grow here.
We’ve all experienced the past year from a different place, but cattle farmers definitely had a positive year. They’re on a roll, and the rest of the industry is happy to see their success after watching them face such strong headwinds in recent years.
Livestock receipts in Canada rose 6.3 per cent to $29 billion during the first three quarters of 2024. Total cattle receipts were $11 billion, up 13.5 per cent due to higher prices sparked by strong international demand and a smaller herd size.
A glass-half-full outlook can be a barrier but at this time of year, we’re all permitted to look at our half-full glass, which may or may not freeze if mistakenly left outside.
We’ll start with this: Canada is not broken. It is strong and it is resilient.
Its systems can be frustrating and slow, and it is ill-suited to deal with misinformation spewed on social media, but on most of the indicators that matter, including quality of life and economic opportunity, Canada consistently ranks highly.
Canadian citizens aren’t being persecuted, hunted down, starved or displaced.
We have democratic elections, which are not a right we should take for granted. We have peace.
By almost every measure that matters, it’s clear that we are doing something right in Canada. This country has many competent people in all walks of life that keep things moving forward every day through their work.
The agriculture industry is a great example.
Farmers are fortunate to have support systems that help them grow crops and livestock and sell goods to domestic and international markets.
This industry has world-class researchers and technicians who work tirelessly to develop the tools farmers need to deal with ever-changing production problems.
Thousands of people work at input and trading companies, insurance, railways, ports, extension services and regulatory bodies that maintain Canada’s reputation for safe and reliable food.
There is always room for improvement but there is also plenty of room for gratitude to the people who help keep the wheels and tracks turning across our vast agricultural regions.
We at the Western Producer wish all readers a merry Christmas and a happy and profitable new year.
Karen Briere, Bruce Dyck, Barb Glen, Michael Robin, Robin Booker and Laura Rance collaborate in the writing of Western Producer editorials.
