Often when one thinks of southeast Saskatchewan, the success of the oil industry springs to mind as one of driving forces of the local economy - but the reality is, and has been historically, the agricultural industry is the backbone of the local economy in many ways.
Right from the establishment of Weyburn and the surrounding towns and Rural Municipalities, farming has been the predominant industry for most of the residents living here, even many of those living in the towns or the city of Weyburn, with many jobs directly and indirectly in support of the area's producers.
As the decades turned and the petroleum industry began to grow in size and importance, so has the agricultural industry, to the point that Weyburn became the biggest inland grain-gathering point in Canada, with three large concrete grain terminals on the Soo Line railroad, drawing in producers from a large area in the southeast region.
In addition to these terminals, a number of implement dealers have major dealerships that have grown and expanded, and there are numerous businesses whose primary focus is serving the producers of the region, with many jobs directly or indirectly benefitting from the ag industry, not to mention many of the city's retailers are dependent on the local producers for their ongoing success.
As the industry evolves, there are of course many changes that come about in the industry, such as the ending of the monopoly of the Canadian Wheat Board a few years ago, and mergers and acquisitions that cause changes in the names and brands available in the local area, a prime example being in this past year the Weyburn Inland Terminal being taken over by Parrish & Heimbecker.
There are also changes in the fields in the southeast region; such crops as corn and soybeans weren't normally seen amongst the fields of durum, spring wheat and barley, but now many producers are trying out these crops, along with a proliferation of canola, flax and other oilseeds and pulses.
While many producers are currently frustrated with the unending line of showers causing delays to the harvest, there will be a resolution of this year's crops and producers will then look to next year; meantime local residents and business owners ought to continue giving their support to our local producers as another growing year comes to a close.
