BLOGS

I realize we just delivered our largest issue of the year to you as you are about to enter your busy fall harvest season. It’s going to be hard finding time to read, and you may not get through it all before the next issue comes in October, but I promise this one is worth taking the time to read, whether it is now or later.

“Now look at the sitting room. Big sitting room, big sitting room. Very comfortable. Look at the couch there. Go ahead and sit on it. And look at the light. Lots of light, those windows. Now look at the kitchen.”

Here’s the deal: It ain’t 1940 and most people aren’t getting their milk from their own cows or even their neighbour’s cows. These days, consumers are buying their food from the grocery store and are wondering where in the heck the product originated. Not everyone lives in a rural area and has the opportunity to meet a local farmer or visit a dairy farm.

Growing up on a cattle ranch, I have spent many hours in the saddle on cattle drives. The cattle needed to be moved to greener pastures, no matter what the weather. Some days were bright and shiny and a pleasure to saddle up and ride out on the range. Some days, the wind was blowing dust in billows to where you almost couldn’t breathe.

Once again, it is time for our annual state of the industry issue. In the centre of this issue, we bring you the industry’s annual metric report to see how each province and the country as a whole has been performing over the past year.