Caption
New methods of harvesting grain have wrought a revolution on Canada's wheat farms. Fields dotted with golden stocks of wheat ripening in the sun -- once the picturesque trademark of the prairies -- are rarely seen. Today most farmers harvest their grain like Saskatchewan's Ed Schiefner above. The wheat is cut and left lying in "swathes" to ripen on the ground where it is less affected by wind, rain and hail which can destroy a crop overnight. "Swathed" wheat ripens in about half the time it would require while standing.
Accession Number
LAC-NFB79135
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011061621
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
Wheat farming has given the Schiefner family a good living. Their attractive home has every modern convenience; radio and television have broken the isolation of the early homesteaders.
Accession Number
LAC-NFB79138
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176427
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
Straight combining-cutting and threshing the grain in a single operation -- is disappearing. Farmers prefer to reduce weather hazards by "swathing" their fields first, harvesting later when grain has ripened.
Accession Number
LAC-NFB79156
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176428
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Image not available
Caption
Mechanization of prairie farms began in the 20's, was rapidly accelerated during war years when farmers turned to machinery in lieu of man-power. Schiefner works his 1,440 acre farm with the help of one son.
Accession Number
LAC-NFB79152
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Caption
Ed Schiefner has always been a man to keep abreast of the times. He brought the first combine into his area in 1926, has kept pace with the continuing search for more efficient methods of wheat farming.
Accession Number
LAC-NFB79137
Materials
Black and white negative
Photographer
Enumber
e011176426
Collection
National Film Board of Canada
Credit Line
Library and Archives Canada, Mikan no. 205928
Photostory #115: Revolution On The Prairies
Photographers
Maker
National Film Board of Canada
Release Date
July 23, 1957
Collection
CMCP fonds
Credit Line
Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography fonds, National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives
Main Text
The grain is trucked to country elevators, later is hauled by box car to the lakehead elevators which have a storage capacity in excess of 90 million bushels. Three of the many elevators at Port Arthur, Ontario, are shown above. Improved varieties and modern harvesting methods combine to keep Canada on top as the world's leading producer of high quality wheat.
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