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A typical growing season in Alberta can be fairly predictable with almost 18 hours of daylight in the summertime and high temperatures soaring from 20 to 30 degrees most days. However, an area almost 300kms North of Grimshaw experiences a different kind of growing season; one that requires precision and quick action to ensure the success of crops.

Located near High Level, AB, Grandview Farms has been calling northern Alberta home for its entire existence. Originally located in La Crete, Grandview Farms was relocated to where more land was available for farming in 2007 and has been calling that area home for the last 15 years.

Run by third-generation farmer Kevin Peters and his family, Grandview Farms primarily grows barley and canola on its vast 6,000 acres with the occasional wheat rotation being thrown in there. In terms of how well the crops grow that far up north, Kevin says they have an advantage the rest of the province does not have.

“We will get 20 to 22 hours of daylight come end of June and that typically results in a higher quality crop. The plants grow incredibly fast; from seeding to spraying to second pass, it goes really quick, and you have to be on the ball,” said Kevin.

He also noted that the weather has been known to contrast from his southern neighbors.

“Very often, we will get the exact opposite of what the main prairie’s experience. In the south, it is already very dry, but we still have our fields completely covered in snow,” he said. “We get extra moisture right off the bat due to being so far up north and that makes all the difference.”

In terms of equipment, Grandview Farms has been loyal to Case IH since the beginning and their fleet boasts an impressive amount of red.

“We’ve got three combines: two 8250’s and an 8240. We have a 3340 Patriot sprayer, a 600 Quadtrac and a Steiger 480 wheeled 4WD, a Seed Hawk air drill with a Case IH cart, a Case IH swather, a few smaller Case IH tractors including a Farmall 95 and an MX120, and a couple of MacDon draper headers.”

While some may shy away from the new technologies Case IH has been introducing over the years with their tractors, Kevin says he embraces the changes and enjoys checking out the newest technologies available. He even works with RME Grimshaw to test out some new technology on his own tractors.

“I’m a bit of a tech guy, so playing with the new technologies is intriguing and a bit more my style. Sometimes, when RME Grimshaw has something new they would like to try out, I get to be a guinea pig for them because I enjoy learning about it,” he said.

However, Kevin said his most favorite technology is the Climate FieldView digital mapping, which he uses for mapping, variable rate seeding, and variable rate fungicide in his sprayer.

Digital programs such as AFS Connect and Climate FieldView are advantageous for farmers as it helps reduce the amount of loss in missed land while seeding, spraying, etc.

When it comes to working with RME, Kevin has a solid team from RME Grimshaw that are ready to help him out with anything he needs.

“Justin Mullink is my go-to at Grimshaw. I met him when he was a mechanic and then he became a Service Manager and now he has moved into the Sales side of things. I’ve worked with him in all three areas and he’s my go-to for everything I need from technical to sales.”

Kevin also has a strong working relationship with RME Parts Manager Dusty Szmata, who has been working with the Grandview operation for the past 18 years.

“Dusty is amazing. Any time, day, or night, I need parts or assistance, he is a phone call away.”

Despite RME Grimshaw being located three hours south of High Level, the team is always ready and willing to assist Grandview Farms whenever needed, whether it be in person or over the phone.

“If we have any equipment problems, they’ll ask me to describe exactly what is happening so they can bring all the tools and parts they need to get my equipment up and running again. Often times, they will walk me through it on the phone so I can fix the issue while talking to them,” said Kevin.

Grandview Farms first began their relationship with RME back when it was still Houlder Automotive. However, when RME acquired Houlder’s dealerships in 2012, Kevin says the only thing that changed was the name.

“It’s all the same relationships we had before and we’ve been working with Justin, Dusty, Terry, and all those guys for decades.”

RME is proud to have customers like Grandview Farms and have such a longstanding relationship with them. By continuing to do , RME ensures their equipment will continue running at its highest proficiency to bring in successful crops each and every season.

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Joe and Kevin Peters stand with Kevin’s sons Cody and Troy. Three generations have run Grandview Farms since its inception with Cody and Troy the up-and-coming fourth generation. (Photo credit: Kevin Peters)

Joe Peters and his grandson checking out one of their beautiful crops. (Photo credit: Kevin Peters)

Grandview Farms is located in High Level, Alberta where they experience 20+ hours of daylight at the end of June. (Photo credit: Kevin Peters)