19 Story Idea? Contact Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Pork | February 2024 UP CLOSE attention to finances and not allow the business to get overextended. Part of this approach is recognizing that wants are not the same as needs. Sometimes the needs are not very exciting, but still important. Everyone would rather buy new furniture for their house than replace the shingles, yet the latter may be the better choice at the time. If we keep a close eye on the money, all the rest of the farming operation is less stressful. What are the most exciting opportunities in the industry? I’m intrigued by the research going on in the industry these days. Over the last couple of decades, the fine-tuning in animal nutrition has enabled us to align our rations with a specific animal’s needs at different ages and stages of development. In the process, pork producers have been able to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and their overall carbon footprint. We can now grow animals 30 kilograms heavier with 30 per cent less feed than we needed 30 years ago. To me, that is quite impressive. How do you define success? To me, it is about enjoying what you’re doing and achieving your goals. To that end, I try and do my best at every task every day. At the same time, you need to extend yourself a bit of grace if you miss the mark, which certainly happens on occasion. If you weren’t a farmer, what do you think you’d do for a living? I might have been a journalist. For almost a decade, I wrote an agricultural policy column for a farm news- paper and really enjoyed it. How do you support your mental health during challenging times? I know that mental health experts say to strive for a balanced life, and I must admit that I am not the best at achieving that. Still, I enjoy things like playing the piano when I can. At the end of a long day where we’ve been seeding for 16 hours, even playing for 15 minutes can put me in another zone. I am also part of a book club that meets monthly, and I enjoy a number of outdoor activities such as camping, canoeing and cycling. Just meeting a friend for ice cream can go a long way to adjusting perspective sometimes, lightening the mood. What was your most memorable crop/production year? The two most notable years stand out for the wrong reasons. In 1988 we dealt with a significant drought, and in 2005 it was excess moisture. On the bright side, we have beautiful displays of the northern lights here, which is good for the soul and makes every year memorable that way. What’s your top goal personally and professionally? I guess I’m a bit of a Type A personality, as I enjoy working. Whether it’s business or pleasure, I think you can always do a bit better every time, and I find that very motivating. If you could send a message to non-farmers, what would it be? We care deeply about our animals, the soil, and the environment, and we are working our butts off every day to make the world a better place. BP GEOFF GEDDES Geoff is a freelance writer and editor specializing in agriculture. He is based in Edmonton and has written for farm magazines, blogs, websites and social media. The Rempels raise Berkshire crosses to fill a niche market. Rempel Family photo
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