“How many more days until Christmas?” is a phrase I’ve heard a lot lately. Growing up, I can remember Christmas being this huge, important milestone every year. The toys! The treats! The food! To a child, it’s the most magical time of the year. I mean, what other holiday has a chubby guy in a red suit who arrives by flying reindeer and manages to squeeze down a chimney… and doesn’t get shot at by some Albertan with a quick shot? Magic!
As we get older, Christmas has a way of losing the feelings of magic and wonder that we experienced as a kid. We begin to learn how much planning and organization goes into creating a magical feeling for children and if you’re anything like me, you actively begin to avoid the malls after Remembrance Day. Thank goodness for online shopping! It’s really no wonder our parents were always so exhausted by the time Christmas morning rolled around and practically begged us to “please, just stay in bed until 8am”. Mom and dad, I’m looking at you on this one… how many years did you threaten to lock us in our rooms or appease us with just one present so we’d wait quietly for the sun to come up?
This year has been a learning curve for all of us, with COVID and all the restrictions and rules. Christmas is going to look very, very different for many of us and it’s caused me to stop and ponder the true meaning of Christmas. This year, we’re not able to spend the time with our families and we must get creative about gathering while obeying Cthe social distancing rules. I never would have imagined that candlelit dinners via Facetime would have been a thing, but here we are. Albertans are nothing, if not resilient. We’ve proven that we can handle the challenge of a socially distant holiday and we’ve stepped up our efforts to shop local to support our small businesses and keep our money in our own towns. We’ve become masters at dinners, game nights and even Netflix marathons over Zoom. We may not be able to see our families and friends in person, but we’re proving that we can still make the time for them despite the COVID craziness. Somehow, amid this pandemic, we learned how to be less driven by material things and we’ve started to focus on the things that really matter; making time and sharing experiences with those we care about, even if it’s virtually.
This year, I’m lucky enough to see Christmas through the eyes of children again… namely those two bonus kids who constantly ask me how many days until Christmas, but somehow always know exactly how many chocolates to eat out of their Advent Calendar. I forgot how exciting this time of year is for children, despite how different the world looks now. Their entire world changed and yet, they’re optimistically looking forward to waking up on Christmas morning to brightly wrapped presents and a yummy breakfast, to spend time with their much smaller social circles while they visit with the rest of their family over Facetime. They’ve met this entire year with an extraordinary amount of aplomb and they’re looking at Christmas the exact same way – it’s different, but it’s still an adventure that they’re thrilled to be on.
We can learn a lot from children and their approach to this new normal. Even if it’s not exactly what we wanted or imagined, it’s what we have and we should continue to make the best of it. While it’s sad to think we won’t be able to hug our loved ones this year over Christmas festivities, I’m sure no one will judge you (much) if you decide to hug your webcam as a compromise.
Because Farming is Forever
Courtney Flaska
Recent News
Here are some articles of interest that we are reading today.
- This is What a Country Christmas Was Like in 1950s Alberta | Our Canada (readersdigest.ca)
- 2020: The year food mattered | The Western Producer
- Smart Farm partners with Telus Agriculture | Alberta Farmer Express (albertafarmexpress.ca)
- Cdn. ag reflects on 2020 and the future | Farms.com
Recent Trades on Agfinity.com
OS CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18455)
176.00 MT
FOB Dewberry, AB
Dec 24 – Feb 15
$240.50/MT or $6.55/BU (Gross)
$237.00/MT or $6.45/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 23, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18597)
44.00 MT
FOB Beaverlodge, AB
Jan 01 – Jan 31
$239.00/MT or $5.20/BU (Gross)
$235.50/MT or $5.13/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 23, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18565)
44.00 MT
FOB La Crete, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$233.15/MT or $5.08/BU (Gross)
$229.65/MT or $5.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 22, 2020
OS Heated Canola (ID: 18596)
39.00 MT
FOB La Glace, AB
Dec 22 – Jan 31
$406.18/MT or $9.21/BU (Gross)
$400.68/MT or $9.09/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 22, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18589)
88.00 MT
FOB Heinsburg, AB
Dec 23 – Jan 31
$238.66/MT or $6.50/BU (Gross)
$235.16/MT or $6.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 22, 2020
OS Heated Canola (ID: 18566)
88.00 MT
FOB Govan, SK
Dec 23 – Feb 28
$374.78/MT or $8.50/BU (Gross)
$369.28/MT or $8.38/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 22, 2020
ST Feed Oats (ID: 18585)
88.00 MT
FOB Grimshaw, AB
Jan 01 – Mar 31
$185.06/MT or $2.85/BU (Gross)
$181.56/MT or $2.80/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 21, 2020
#2CW Oats (ID: 18541)
132.00 MT
FOB Castor, AB
Jul 01 – Aug 31
$275.84/MT or $4.25/BU (Gross)
$272.34/MT or $4.20/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 21, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18506)
264.00 MT
FOB Hayter, AB
Dec 22 – Dec 31
$246.01/MT or $6.70/BU (Gross)
$242.51/MT or $6.60/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 21, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18578)
44.00 MT
FOB Marwayne, AB
Dec 22 – Dec 24
$238.66/MT or $6.50/BU (Gross)
$235.16/MT or $6.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 21, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18477)
88.00 MT
FOB Macrorie, SK
Feb 01 – Feb 07
$240.00/MT or $5.23/BU (Gross)
$236.50/MT or $5.15/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 21, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18582)
176.00 MT
FOB Foremost, AB
Feb 01 – Feb 28
$260.71/MT or $5.68/BU (Gross)
$257.21/MT or $5.60/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 21, 2020
OS ST CW Feed Barley (ID: 18555)
44.00 MT
DLVD Ryley, AB
Jan 01 – Jan 31
$218.17/MT or $4.75/BU (Gross)
$214.67/MT or $4.67/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18568)
132.00 MT
FOB Manning, AB
Feb 01 – Feb 28
$230.00/MT or $6.26/BU (Gross)
$226.50/MT or $6.16/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18579)
44.00 MT
FOB Olds, AB
Feb 01 – Feb 28
$256.12/MT or $5.58/BU (Gross)
$252.62/MT or $5.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 18576)
396.00 MT
FOB Bonnyville, AB
Jan 01 – Jan 31
$242.34/MT or $6.60/BU (Gross)
$238.84/MT or $6.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18580)
88.00 MT
FOB Brock, SK
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$249.23/MT or $5.43/BU (Gross)
$245.73/MT or $5.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
Heated Canola (ID: 18575)
44.00 MT
FOB Medicine Hat, AB
Dec 18 – Feb 28
$435.40/MT or $9.87/BU (Gross)
$429.90/MT or $9.75/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
Heated Canola (ID: 18532)
44.00 MT
FOB Oyen, AB
Dec 19 – Jan 31
$492.72/MT or $11.17/BU (Gross)
$487.22/MT or $11.05/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
#2 Faba Beans (ID: 18474)
308.00 MT
FOB Rainier, AB
Jan 01 – Apr 30
$306.64/MT or $8.35/BU (Gross)
$303.14/MT or $8.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 18, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18567)
88.00 MT
FOB Rimbey, AB
Jan 01 – Jan 31
$256.12/MT or $5.58/BU (Gross)
$252.62/MT or $5.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18559)
1320.00 MT
DLVD Lethbridge, AB
Dec 18 – Feb 28
$269.89/MT or $5.88/BU (Gross)
$266.39/MT or $5.80/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
OS CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18552)
88.00 MT
FOB Ponoka, AB
Dec 15 – Feb 28
$242.34/MT or $6.60/BU (Gross)
$238.84/MT or $6.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
Heated Canola (ID: 18543)
88.00 MT
FOB Killam, AB
Dec 18 – Jan 31
$450.83/MT or $10.22/BU (Gross)
$445.33/MT or $10.10/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18560)
308.00 MT
FOB Two Hills, AB
Dec 16 – Feb 20
$244.50/MT or $5.32/BU (Gross)
$241.00/MT or $5.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
OS CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18545)
132.00 MT
FOB Stettler, AB
Jan 01 – Jan 31
$233.00/MT or $6.34/BU (Gross)
$229.50/MT or $6.25/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18475)
220.00 MT
FOB Atmore, AB
Dec 17 – Mar 15
$256.12/MT or $5.58/BU (Gross)
$252.62/MT or $5.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
OS Heated Canola (ID: 18561)
88.00 MT
FOB Cando, SK
Dec 17 – Feb 28
$380.28/MT or $8.62/BU (Gross)
$374.78/MT or $8.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 17, 2020
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 18539)
88.00 MT
FOB Rosalind, AB
Dec 28 – Jan 31
$250.00/MT or $5.44/BU (Gross)
$246.50/MT or $5.37/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 16, 2020
#2 CWSWS Wheat (ID: 18494)
264.00 MT
FOB Lavoy, AB
Dec 15 – Feb 28
$237.00/MT or $6.45/BU (Gross)
$233.50/MT or $6.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 16, 2020
OS Feed Oats (ID: 18505)
132.00 MT
FOB Morinville, AB
Jan 18 – Feb 28
$217.48/MT or $3.35/BU (Gross)
$213.98/MT or $3.30/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 16, 2020
#1CW Canola (ID: 18521)
220.00 MT
FOB Wildwood, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$598.74/MT or $13.58/BU (Gross)
$595.24/MT or $13.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 16, 2020
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 18542)
132.00 MT
FOB Lloydminster, AB
Jan 06 – Feb 28
$242.00/MT or $5.27/BU (Gross)
$238.50/MT or $5.19/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 16, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18549)
44.00 MT
FOB Edgerton, AB
Dec 15 – Jan 31
$243.10/MT or $5.29/BU (Gross)
$239.60/MT or $5.22/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 15, 2020
OS Wheat Screenings (ID: 18548)
132.00 MT
FOB Sedgewick, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$187.22/MT or $5.10/BU (Gross)
$183.72/MT or $5.00/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 15, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18536)
308.00 MT
FOB Consul, SK
Feb 01 – Mar 14
$242.34/MT or $6.60/BU (Gross)
$238.84/MT or $6.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 15, 2020
Brown Flax (ID: 18490)
44.00 MT
FOB Rich Valley, AB
Dec 12 – Feb 28
$702.28/MT or $17.84/BU (Gross)
$698.78/MT or $17.75/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 14, 2020
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 18526)
88.00 MT
FOB Beaverlodge, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$241.00/MT or $5.25/BU (Gross)
$237.50/MT or $5.17/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 14, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18529)
308.00 MT
FOB St. Paul, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$244.17/MT or $6.65/BU (Gross)
$240.67/MT or $6.55/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 14, 2020
#2CW Oats (ID: 18533)
132.00 MT
FOB Castor, AB
Jul 01 – Aug 31
$261.82/MT or $4.04/BU (Gross)
$258.32/MT or $3.98/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 14, 2020
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 18507)
44.00 MT
FOB Morinville, AB
Dec 15 – Feb 28
$256.12/MT or $5.58/BU (Gross)
$252.62/MT or $5.50/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 14, 2020
CW Feed HRS Wheat (ID: 18531)
132.00 MT
FOB Castor, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$235.00/MT or $6.40/BU (Gross)
$231.50/MT or $6.30/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 14, 2020
#2CW HRS Wheat (ID: 18416)
165.00 MT
FOB Flatbush, AB
Dec 11 – Jan 31
$251.52/MT or $6.85/BU (Gross)
$248.02/MT or $6.75/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 11, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18524)
176.00 MT
FOB Hayter, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$249.23/MT or $5.43/BU (Gross)
$245.73/MT or $5.35/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 11, 2020
OS CW Feed CPSR Wheat (ID: 18439)
88.00 MT
FOB New Sarepta, AB
Feb 01 – Feb 28
$238.50/MT or $6.49/BU (Gross)
$235.00/MT or $6.40/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 10, 2020
CW Feed Barley (ID: 18515)
264.00 MT
FOB Mannville, AB
Dec 10 – Feb 28
$255.12/MT or $5.55/BU (Gross)
$251.62/MT or $5.48/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 10, 2020
#2CW HRS Wheat (ID: 18511)
264.00 MT
FOB Sedgewick, AB
Jan 01 – Feb 28
$258.87/MT or $7.05/BU (Gross)
$255.37/MT or $6.95/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 10, 2020
OS CW Feed Barley (ID: 18498)
88.00 MT
FOB Buffalo Head Prairie, AB
Dec 09 – Jan 07
$222.39/MT or $4.84/BU (Gross)
$218.89/MT or $4.77/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 10, 2020
#2 Faba Beans (ID: 18513)
88.00 MT
FOB Strathmore, AB
Dec 11 – Jan 31
$305.00/MT or $8.30/BU (Gross)
$301.50/MT or $8.21/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 10, 2020
#2 Faba Beans (ID: 18502)
88.00 MT
FOB Strathmore, AB
Dec 11 – Jan 31
$305.00/MT or $8.30/BU (Gross)
$301.50/MT or $8.21/BU (Net)
TRADED Dec 10, 2020