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Early Agriculture
Shaunavon has always been largely an agricultural. Before settlement in 1913, Shaunavon was entirely open land. After settlement, the community largely subsisted on agriculture and ranching, including growing wheat that won top wards at international agriculture shows.

The 1920s and 30s met with unprecedented economic boom. In 1921, Rancher Harry Otterson constructed the community’s first dipping vat. At the time, his land included 20,000 acres and 350 head of cattle. In 1927, Otterson shipped a stock of cattle to Chicago for $16.65 per 100lbs, which was the highest price for cattle post war up until that point. Other animals bred in Shaunavon at the time included horses, pigs, and turkeys.

From 1938 until 1969, the predominate crops where Spring Wheat, Oats, Barley, Fall Rye, and Flax. Like much of the rest of the Saskatchewan, the 40s experienced difficult farming conditions. In June 1940, Shaunavon experienced an increasing number of grasshopper infestations that negatively affected crops.

The 1940s also experienced several natural disasters. The winter of 1940 experienced record breaking snowfall. The snowfall disrupted several services, including road clearing and mail. During the winter, Rancher Dan Gunn spent several days travelling 10 miles to his neighbour’s farm in an unsuccessful trip to get some horse feed.

In 1942, Shaunavon experienced two large prairie fires that destroyed thousands of acres of crops. The fires were believed to have been caused by sparks from machinery, with one spark originating in the Waldville district. The damage spread far enough to cause concern for citizens in Montana on the other side of the border.

The 1940s also saw an incredible decline in crop yields, likely resulting from the conditions described above. In 1949, crop yields were at an all-time low. Spring wheat, barley, and fall rye produced a mere one bushel per acre. Oats proved completely impossible to grow, being recorded as producing zero bushels per acre.

Agriculture in the 1950s
In 1950, cattle were still raised and continued to be exported to the United States. Joe White and Angus Willett where among those exporting, having exported 78 head of cattle to Low Moor, Iowa. This time also saw a sharp turn upwards for agriculture. In 1948, residents of Shaunavon first began experimenting with fertilizer. The first farmer to use fertilizer was Anton Dynneson. By 1950, the benefits for fertilizer had become evident, with Dynneson reporting better yields than years without fertilizer. This year also marked a great emphasis on exporting crops, with Shaunavon containing a total of 8 grain elevators.

Agriculture and ranching continued to make their mark on the land and become a significant part of Shaunavon’s culture. In 1953, a lake northeast of Lake Athabasca was named Lake Maguire, in honour of Rancher Hugo Maguire.

Modern Agriculture
The tail end of the 19th century marked a continual increase in crops. In 1970 durum wheat was first introduced. Canola was also introduced in this year, but was not replanted until the 1990s. This trend continued. In 1993, several new crops were introduced, including mustard, sunflowers, and peas. 1993 was also noted for its large crop yields. This was especially true for oats, which peaked at 91.9 bushels per acre. This was a stark contrast to the zeri bushels per acre in 1949. Despite a slight dip in 2000, the crop yields have remained stable ever since.

As with many agricultural communities, several businesses have also sprung up in order to support the farms and ranches. One such business to open was Ranch House Meat Company. Created by Rancher Vince Stevenson, the business operates as a meat processing and deli store that also offers custom cuttings to local residents.