Nelles and Mandy Madsen

Location: Mayerthorpe, AB

Farm: 2,500 acres- mixed grains, oilseeds, hay, and custom work

I am convinced farming is in my blood. Most kids want to grow up to be astronauts or fire fighters. All I have ever wanted was to be a farmer. Mom and Dad always said I needed something to fall back on. They insisted that before I could farm full time I had to have some form of post secondary education.

After I graduated high school I set off to get my heavy-duty mechanics ticket. After four years of hard work and learning I got it! Having this ticket has opened a lot of doors for me, and I have had many opportunities to make good money. My heavy-duty ticket has taken me many places. It has also proven to be extremely beneficial in my own farming operation. I went from pulling wrenches at a John Deere dealership to a heavy-duty truck shop, then to fixing pipeline equipment, and all the way north to Fort McMurray, Alberta.

I always came back to the farm!

The crop year of 2004 was filled with many new experiences and challenges. That year I seeded 200 acres of canola. At the time I was only farming 300 acres of cropped land so obviously that was a huge risk! I was running the air drill for a good friend and neighbour of mine that spring. It was his guidance and support that got me through that season. Despite the risk, with Mother Nature’s support and good yields I decided to take on more land.

In the spring of 2005 I became engaged to be married, and we increased our farm to 1,200 acres! All the new land we took on that year was seeded to canola. All the canola stubble from the previous year was seeded to HRS wheat. With that many acres and a wedding on the way you can imagine how busy things were. I knew July was a busy time to plan a wedding, but it was important to me that I include the two loves of my life in this big day – my new wife and of course, canola.

The wedding day was set for July 9, 2005, a day I will never forget. The canola was in full bloom, which made for beautiful wedding photos. This made our special day that much more special. Now I have a life-long partner to help me through the tough times and to share the good times with as well. By the fall of 2005 the newly rented land produced lower than anticipated yields. After selling crops into a disappointingly poor market, we packed our bags and headed to Fort Mac for the winter to work for a wage, lick our wounds, and recoup our losses. After making back a bit of money and reflecting on the previous season we set out for yet another year.

We were rejuvenated and excited to get started on a new season! In 2006 we expanded the operation. We took on another 800 acres, bought our first air drill and began working with a crop consultant. We did all this in hopes of increasing yields, lowering inputs and reducing emissions. This was the year I would make my lifelong dream come true, I would be a full-time farmer!

Cutting back to 350 seeded canola acres proved to be wise as we fine-tuned our approach to growing this crop. Using soil and tissue samples, as well as following recommendations for seed, chemical, and fertilizer proved well worth the money spent on the consultant’s help. Despite three small hail storms we still averaged 30 bushels per acre. All things considered, and with the help of the bullish grain markets, we finally started to get ahead.

The spring of 2007 brought many challenges. First of all we were late getting into the fields. Once we started seeding we were struggling with cold and wet ground, high fertilizer prices, and time was running out. We were thankful that after seeding was complete Mother Nature began to cooperate. With a few timely rains we ended up with bumper crops. Like every other year there were many lessons to be learned and loads of good memories.

I’ll never forget one field of InVigor 9590. While we were harvesting this crop, one of the combine operators said he just couldn’t believe the size of the swaths. He compared it to combining a field of barley because the grain flowed into the tank so fast. We were both amazed when the field averaged over 65 bushels per acre.

One thing I sure wished was that my late father could have been running the combine that day. Farming was in his blood until the day he died in the fall of 2001. I am sure he would have been smiling proudly from above. Many people say that young guys cannot make it farming today. I disagree! Farming styles have changed. They have evolved over the years, but being willing to change with the times has made it possible to succeed. My dad always said, “Never stop learning.”

At the age of 28 I am a husband, a soon-to-be father and a full-time farmer. I employ my brother full time and employ seasonal workers as well. I pride myself in continuing to learn new and innovative ways that benefit our operation. I am a proud canola grower and I truly believe I am living my dream!!!!