Cecil Lake, British Columbia, Canada
I like success! Success starts when I take the seed drill to the field and there is a beautiful consistent seed bed to work with. I like the feel of the fresh moist soil while I'm scratching to check for seed depth. It's super satisfying to drive past the field afterward and look down rows of germinated seedlings straight as an arrow because of GPS autosteer. Every season brings new welcoming changes. The fields look great when they're in the 6 leaf stage,when they have heads,when they ripen, and then when clipped clean after harvest! So back to success; every machine, field, and year bring varying troubles, mistakes, drought, flood, weeds, weak markets, but next year offers the opportunity for a better start. We just sold the milk cows this spring. Mid life had been creeping up on us for the last few years and the decision to upgrade or step out had been postponed 3 years running. I told myself I would never complain about the price of milk. Still not sure? Go buy a cow and do the job sustainably. Sleeping in or weekends or days off are history! A herd of Holstein cows grazing on lush grass is still the most beautiful cow but milking and health was never easy work for me. Currently we still have 120 head around and will be carrying 60 heifers through till next fall to sell as replacements. I am a director on the BC Grain Producers Association. We represent about 200 grain farmers and undertake crop variety trials, represent our voice in local, provincial and federal politics on issues that affect us. We are pro GMO because the science is solidly robust and opinion and emotion take your bank account and lenders nowhere if profitability is weak. I like farming because it offers such a wide variety of work and schedule. From managing right to the grit.