GrainsWest Fall 2019

Join Us albertawheat.com albertabarley.com December 11 – 12, 2019 Fairmont Banff Springs Purchase your ticket at: albertabarley.com Early Bird Deadline November 15: $250 | General Admission (Full conference access - AGM, pub tour, conference & banquet) $100 | Guest Admission (Pub tour & banquet only) • Hon. Stockwell Day International Trade & China • Market Access • Transportation • Research & Technology • Federal Election Implications Agenda Highlights they maintain a modern line of equipment sized to accommodate incremental growth. “Our equipment operates at about 85 per cent of capacity because you need the flexibility,” said Gust. “If you had equipment exactly matched to the acres you’re farming and the weather turns or some other hiccup, you’d be in a bind. You need some extra capacity to handle the unknown and be able to accommodate extra acres if they do come along without jeopardizing the entire operation.” Gust said while his children are too young to make career decisions, his teenagers are leaning towards farming. “So, we also have to be thinking toward the future and improving and growing the farm for the next potential generation of Gust farmers,” he said. And he said while it is important to make smart land decisions that increase farm size and improve the efficiency of acres being cropped, another important consideration is risk management. “If there is some kind of a wreck, you can’t count on working in the oil patch during the winter to make up the shortfall,” he said. “It is important to have proper crop insurance and risk management coverage to help you weather the storm and perhaps also have some grain held in the bin you can sell so you can pay the bills.” With sound planning, whatever the roll of the dice, you’ll be ready for your next move in that game of Farmopoly. “It is a bit like playing Monopoly where you trade up Baltic Avenue for Park Place.” —Gerald Gust