The annual Golden Sheaf award caps off the harvest season in the Weyburn area. The award is presented by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce during their Farmer Appreciation Night.

This year, the award was presented to Mark and Bobbie Bratrud.

The Bratruds farm just outside Weyburn, on land which has been in Bobbie’s family for over a century.

“My great-grandfather homesteaded in 1898, and the farm has been continuously operated in the Pulfer farm family until presently, and we still have the original homestead buildings that we use as a residence today,” explained Bobbie.

The Bratruds were nominated for the award by MNP.

They have been working on the farm since 2000, and have gradually increased the size of their operation. The use of innovative techniques like variable rate technology and soil characteristic maps was cited as one of the reasons they were receiving the award this year, as was their roles in the community. Additionally, Mark is the president of Comtrax, which aims to build a commodities hub just outside of Weyburn in the coming years.

“Very honoured, I guess, and humbled, that we’re recognized in the community for this,” said Mark. “There’s so many people out there that are just as deserving or more than us, and we appreciate the honour.”

The Golden Sheaf Award has been presented by the Weyburn Chamber of Commerce annually since 1994.