LEMBERG, Sask. — A Lemberg-area producer facing harvest delays following recent rain and hail was given a break from the challenges of the season this week after being selected as the latest winner of GX94's Supper in the Field contest.
Jack Lubachowski and his wife Brenda, who farm near Lemberg with their family, were announced as the Week 2 winners of the harvest-season contest that provides a weekly meal to a local farm crew.
"I've been entering for I don't know how many years and this is the first time we won," Lubachowski said. "It was just fantastic."
Lubachowski has been farming since 1988, when he started farming alongside his father and brother, Gary. Today, the family operates about 3,000 acres, growing wheat, oats, canola, lentils, barley and flax.
While seeding began about a week later than usual this spring, Lubachowski said field conditions were favourable enough to allow the work to progress without major interruptions.
Harvest has been more difficult.
The family completed its 320-acre lentil harvest and combined about 80 acres of wheat before a storm dropped roughly three inches of rain on the area. The same system also caused extensive hail damage, Lubachowski said, adding crop insurance will help offset some of the losses.
The operation also includes about 100 head of cattle. Lubachowski farms alongside his brother Gary and son James, while his niece Jillian, a registered nurse in Yorkton, helps with the cattle side of the operation when she is off work. Jillian's boyfriend, Bryson, also assists with spraying and other farm duties.
The Supper in the Field contest runs throughout harvest, giving producers a chance to win a meal for their harvest crew and sponsor-supplied prizes. Farmers can enter by calling or texting their name, phone number and community to GX94 at 306-783-8622, with winners announced each Wednesday during Sask Ag Today.
Lubachowski said the recognition was especially appreciated as producers across the region continue working around weather-related harvest delays.
"We have to thank you guys for a great supper and everything you've done for us," he said.
With fields still drying, Lubachowski said the family hopes to return to harvesting as soon as conditions permit.
