‘Farming has changed so much’

Oct 31, 2023

The first subscription to The Western Producer that Chris Heathcote remembers his household purchasing wasn’t with cash or cheque.

“The first subscription for the paper was paid for by six laying hens,” Heathcote said about getting the Producer at his Craik, Sask., farmhouse 85 years ago.

“That was in the Thirties, and we didn’t have cash.”

The Dust Bowl era still holds a place in the memory of the 92-year-old, who is retired but still takes his hand behind the wheel of a combine on occasion come harvest time.

“I took off my last crop at 85,” said Heathcote.

Bartering with the local Producer subscription salesman for a subscription wasn’t the only thing that was different in a time when going cashless had a whole different meaning than today.

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Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.