35 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | March 2024 says Jesse. “The farm is a business, and yes, it’s a passion, but long gone are the days of just working hard to be successful. You also have to work smart.” The couple believe that it’s important to spend just as many hours in the office as with the cows. This valuable time is used to analyze the data they collect from their herd and land, and to apply for grants and risk management tools provided by provincial and federal governments. The Williamses have also explored a variety of options for marketing their calves to improve profitability, while also receiving more data. “In the cattle industry, you only get paid once a year,” says Clayton. “We try to manage risk on the ranch and have tried a lot of different marketing techniques. We’ve marketed everywhere from sending them to auction, to retained ownership or partial retained ownership, to selling directly to a feedlot. We’ve learned a lot of lessons but there is more than one way to sell your calf.” Jesse and Clayton both see the value in being open-minded and taking advantage of new opportunities. “We’re in an area of low precipitation and have to learn to manage our ranch within that,” says Clayton, who is an engineer and manages WestMET Ag. The company produces soil amendments from Humalite that can be used to improve fertilizer efficiency, manage salinity, and improve soil water-holding capacity. These are the innovations that the Williams family aims to use to improve the soil and productivity of their land. “We need to look at soil building technologies – everything from cover crops to the technologies we’re trying to invent with my day job – and use UP CLOSE Barrett oversees as the family loads cattle for the pasture. Jesse Williams photo So Much Power. So Little Effort. Coragen® MaX insecticide provides fast, selective, extended control* of grasshoppers, bertha armyworms, diamondback moth and cutworms, in a convenient, concentrated formulation. It also works with beneficials** for a one-two punch that keeps the fight going long after you’ve left the field. Controlling damaging insect pests doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. *Depending on rate and when weather and temperature are optimal. **When applied at label rates. In line with Integrated Pest Management and Good Agricultural Practices, insecticide applications should be made when pollinators are not foraging to avoid unnecessary exposure. Always read and follow label instructions. Member of CropLife Canada. FMC, the FMC logo, Coragen and Rynaxypyr are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2023 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 7937 - WEST - 10/23 7937 Coragen MaX Print Ad_BETTER FARMING_Prairie_Banner.indd 1 2024-02-08 10:19 AM
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