The concept of diversification for Western Canadian agriculture was pretty much the mantra of both government and farm groups for the better part of the 1990s, but was it a successful vision for the industry?
That is a question of some considerable conjecture, depending upon how one envisions it.
Certainly on the crops side of farming we have seen a few crops gain major interest, and acreage, in particular legume crops, lentils and peas leading the way, with growing interest now emerging for soybeans in non-traditional growing areas.
That said, this space once focused on the potential of lupines to become a significant crop, and pinto beans were heralded in the same way. Neither have turned out to be widely grown.
You can add quinoa, echinacea, fenugreek, sea buckthorn and industrial hemp as other crops which were suggested to potential options which for the most part did not turn out to be more than a passing fad.
Of course a field crop is basically a one-year experiment. Farmers grow a crop, see what the market returns are, then add it to the rotation on a permanent basis, or move on to something else.
When you turn your attention to the livestock side of farming the time investment grows substantially.
You do not build a flock of ostrich, or herd of fallow deer overnight.
Initially breeding stock is in short supply when the next hot farm animal bursts on the scene, and farmers are left with major cash investments, followed by years of herd building.
They must hope a market has developed, and the end product, what is sold to market rather than for breeding is such there is a profit to be realized.
For the most part livestock diversification has been a dismal failure.
