source: Farm and Food Report
Wilmer Sawatsky was just minding his own business a quarter of a century ago, earning an honest living as a farmer, when he was approached by the local departmental agronomist.
“He told me I would make a great crop reporter. It is a volunteer position, but relatively simple to do. You measure and record the rainfall. You are handed this chart you can hang on the wall and you basically write how much it rains over a week.”
It involves a lot more than that. Crop reporters are Saskatchewan’s eyes, witnessing and sharing the state of the province’s crops for government and the public. For 27 weeks, starting on April 1st every year, around 300 crop reporters report.
“In the spring, we write what grains are seeded, what percentages of grains are in the ground,” Sawatsky says. “Sometimes, I go to the elevator to investigate because in the fall we have to find out what percentage of the crop is number 1, 2 or 3 wheat. At the elevator, they generally know better than anybody. And we just provide the best information we can access for everyone’s benefit — it is as fresh as can be.”
On March 18th, the Crop Reporters who have served from 1980 to 2004 (25 years) were given special recognition for their commitment of service to Saskatchewan. Six of them — including Sawatsky — took up an invitation to attend a celebration in their honour in the provincial capital.
They were shown the crop report program area at Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, where all the information is gathered and compiled; they were given a special tour of the Legislature; introduced to the House; and invited to have lunch with Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman, who presented them a commemorative plaque. “It was very nice,” Sawatsky says.
“It is funny how this activity becomes part of your day-to-day routine after a while. You are supposed to phone in your results on Sunday between noon and 10:00 p.m., or Monday morning between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. We used to mail it in. Now, we can fax it or phone it in. The information is made available to the media by Monday at noon. The turnaround time is very short.”
Being a good crop reporter requires precision. When asked about soil moisture, one must check off surplus, adequate, short or very short. The moisture is measured in the four top inches of soil.
On crop damage, there are a few options as well: no crop damage, frost, hail, wind, drought, crop disease, flooding or other.
“There is also a general comment section. It is intended for agronomic information, but sometimes a few words on the Riders’ recent performance inadvertently make their way to the data gathering point. Statistics are statistics.”
During haying season, reporters are asked for crop condition and yield. These dedicated reporters gather agricultural information of all types: are there enough seeds available? What about chemicals? Are there shortages in the area?
Has Sawatsky ever missed a deadline?
“They don’t like it if you miss a week. They’ll let you get away with it once in a while. To tell you the truth, sometimes on Sunday afternoon, you just get busy doing something else and all of a sudden you remember you have to look after the report. It can creep back on you at times if you get too comfortable.”
There is usually at least one crop reporter per rural municipality — sometimes three for large areas. Crop reporters are a precious resource worth looking after.
“I said I was quitting before,” quips Sawatsky. “I’m retired now. Well, they convinced me to stay on for another year. I guess I’ll stick around for a little while longer.”
For more information, contact:
Terry Bedard
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-5956
Wilmer Sawatsky was just minding his own business a quarter of a century ago, earning an honest living as a farmer, when he was approached by the local departmental agronomist.
“He told me I would make a great crop reporter. It is a volunteer position, but relatively simple to do. You measure and record the rainfall. You are handed this chart you can hang on the wall and you basically write how much it rains over a week.”
It involves a lot more than that. Crop reporters are Saskatchewan’s eyes, witnessing and sharing the state of the province’s crops for government and the public. For 27 weeks, starting on April 1st every year, around 300 crop reporters report.
“In the spring, we write what grains are seeded, what percentages of grains are in the ground,” Sawatsky says. “Sometimes, I go to the elevator to investigate because in the fall we have to find out what percentage of the crop is number 1, 2 or 3 wheat. At the elevator, they generally know better than anybody. And we just provide the best information we can access for everyone’s benefit — it is as fresh as can be.”
On March 18th, the Crop Reporters who have served from 1980 to 2004 (25 years) were given special recognition for their commitment of service to Saskatchewan. Six of them — including Sawatsky — took up an invitation to attend a celebration in their honour in the provincial capital.
They were shown the crop report program area at Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food, where all the information is gathered and compiled; they were given a special tour of the Legislature; introduced to the House; and invited to have lunch with Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Wartman, who presented them a commemorative plaque. “It was very nice,” Sawatsky says.
“It is funny how this activity becomes part of your day-to-day routine after a while. You are supposed to phone in your results on Sunday between noon and 10:00 p.m., or Monday morning between 6:00 and 9:00 a.m. We used to mail it in. Now, we can fax it or phone it in. The information is made available to the media by Monday at noon. The turnaround time is very short.”
Being a good crop reporter requires precision. When asked about soil moisture, one must check off surplus, adequate, short or very short. The moisture is measured in the four top inches of soil.
On crop damage, there are a few options as well: no crop damage, frost, hail, wind, drought, crop disease, flooding or other.
“There is also a general comment section. It is intended for agronomic information, but sometimes a few words on the Riders’ recent performance inadvertently make their way to the data gathering point. Statistics are statistics.”
During haying season, reporters are asked for crop condition and yield. These dedicated reporters gather agricultural information of all types: are there enough seeds available? What about chemicals? Are there shortages in the area?
Has Sawatsky ever missed a deadline?
“They don’t like it if you miss a week. They’ll let you get away with it once in a while. To tell you the truth, sometimes on Sunday afternoon, you just get busy doing something else and all of a sudden you remember you have to look after the report. It can creep back on you at times if you get too comfortable.”
There is usually at least one crop reporter per rural municipality — sometimes three for large areas. Crop reporters are a precious resource worth looking after.
“I said I was quitting before,” quips Sawatsky. “I’m retired now. Well, they convinced me to stay on for another year. I guess I’ll stick around for a little while longer.”
For more information, contact:
Terry Bedard
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-5956
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