RAE WESTERSUND

Growing up on a ranch near Blackie, AB, agriculture is an innate passion for Rae Westersund. From a variety of ranching and equine pursuits to hands-on, innovative crop production assistance, Westersund has done it all. Her passion for team roping, working cow horse events, and crop sciences keeps her mobile and mindful. She is wellknown and respected among her vast, agribusiness customer base and ranching community. As a territory manager for an Agrochcemical company,Westersund provides retail customers and farmers with support, guidance, and training on crop input portfolios.. Actively involved with her family’s farm, Westersund helps run 100 head of commercial cattle and, together, they farm approximately 500 acres. Her average week depends on the season and, in-most cases, her days are long. In season, Westersund is hands-on with farmers, answering calls and checking field performance. When crops aren’t being grown or harvested, Westersund spends a great deal of time with retail customers, training on new products/label changes, and updating her Certified Crop Advisor credentials. Closing the gap between our urban and rural populations remains top priority for Westersund. She believes that educating and correcting the urban population’s understanding of GMOs and rural contributions to Greenhouse Gas Emissions is paramount.

Westersund is not alone in stating, “Agriculture is a traditional industry. We like to keep our head down and work hard. We often ignore the misconceptions and, unfortunately, this has allowed a false narrative to be written. It’s time for us in agriculture to tell our own story.”

As someone who grew-up in this lifestyle, Westersund couldn’t imagine a better way to live. She recognizes that the agricultural sector is a traditional industry and states, “…we value handshakes, eye contact, and your word. This may seem old fashioned, but these characteristics are becoming a lost art. I love reaping what you sow. There’s no more literal definition of that, than farming.”

1. Where do you see Canadian farmers / ranchers in the global, agricultural market? What makes Canada stand apart from other countries?

“Canadian farms are some of the most sought after in the world. Our land is rich in organic matter and nutrients. Producers have adapted farming practices that have minimized environmental impacts and, with a shorter growing season than other areas, we farm intensively and quickly. Our weather is what makes Canada stand apart from other countries. Having a shorter growing season, we can harvest a single row crop per year. Canada also has the largest acres per farm ratio of any developed country. Canada is very diverse. We have horticulture on the east and west coasts and the prairie provinces produce both grain commodities and livestock. We are a leading country in agricultural exports.”

2. What do you feel is the biggest misconception regarding agriculture?

“The biggest misconception about farming is how bad it is for the environment. Legislation in agriculture is being hit hard to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions.”

3. How might our agricultural sector improve to promote growth and maintain strength in our total number of farmers / ranchers?

“The biggest factor preventing young people from farming right now is the high upfront cost. Land prices have soared astronomically, as more urban investors buy land. This leaves young people unable to enter the market. The high cost of equipment and inventory, paired with limited financing options, make it extremely hard for someone to enter the industry with no help or inheritance. I’m not sure how we grow the industry, without having the money come from urban investors and overseas. I do know that, until this is limited, the opportunities to start farming are extremely limited.”

4. How can we bridge the gap between our urban and rural populations?

“We can bridge the gap by sharing our stories. The false narratives that exist hold back the agricultural industry. There is a misunderstanding when it comes to food production. If urban populations understood our practices, and the regulations in place, they might have more confidence in the producers.”

5. Where do you see Canadian agriculture in the next ten years?

“I see middle level farms being phased out. I think large corporate farms will continue to trend upward, as well as small niche farms. As the average age of the farm owner continues to rise, mom and pop farms will be bought out by larger entities. I think land will continue to increase in value and prices will continue to rise. I also believe that, as urban populations take viable farmland, the need to produce more on less will continue. This will create new farming opportunities and change practices, as we work to limit inputs and push yields.”