Friday Crop Report on a Thursday!

[AlbertaFarmer5]

Agristability requires some good years to trigger! Many haven’t had any in the last 5 years, so it doesn’t work.

To play devil's advocate, Did some producers have 5 not good years?
Or did they have 5 mediocre years preceeded by a decade of unusually benign weather, making us all think that those above average yields were the new normal, as opposed to the anomally?.
Then spending accordingly.
In reality, maybe the 5 disaster years are closer to reality farming in the semi arid prairies,with a short unpredictable growing season, and huge weather swings.
Here, on the cold wet short season, hail prone western fringe, when I decided to transition to mostly grain from mostly cattle, I budgeted 1 year in 3 to be a disaster.
And historically, that wouldn't be too far off.
I really don't think straight grain farming is viable in the long term in this little corner of the world where I live.
And I spend accordingly.

When I hear about the yield expectations and the costs that are built into that in some of the even riskier areas(by which I mean dry), I have to wonder if they have ever looked into the historical weather records for their areas.

[helmsdale]

When I hear about the yield expectations and the costs that are built into that in some of the even riskier areas(by which I mean dry), I have to wonder if they have ever looked into the historical weather records for their areas.

Come on man, you mean $300/ac gross on stubble in the Special Areas isn't the "new normal", which thereby turns $500/ac land into $1500/ac land, and per acre equipment financing from $10-15 into $85-100 the accepted standard isn't sustainable?

Words I wonder if a few people are choking on these days around here:
"We'll never harvest a sub-20 bushel crop of durum ever again the way we farm now!"
"You gotta get into Canola, thats where the big boy money is!"
"If you've got two feet and a heartbeat, they'll lend you the money, what are you worried about?"

[FarmJunkie]

Chickens always come home to roost. Until the wolf (banker) getsem.

[Dr Tone]

To play devil's advocate, Did some producers have 5 not good years?
Or did they have 5 mediocre years preceeded by a decade of unusually benign weather, making us all think that those above average yields were the new normal, as opposed to the anomally?.
Then spending accordingly.
In reality, maybe the 5 disaster years are closer to reality farming in the semi arid prairies,with a short unpredictable growing season, and huge weather swings.
Here, on the cold wet short season, hail prone western fringe, when I decided to transition to mostly grain from mostly cattle, I budgeted 1 year in 3 to be a disaster.
And historically, that wouldn't be too far off.
I really don't think straight grain farming is viable in the long term in this little corner of the world where I live.
And I spend accordingly.

When I hear about the yield expectations and the costs that are built into that in some of the even riskier areas(by which I mean dry), I have to wonder if they have ever looked into the historical weather records for their areas.

I think I’ve only had 1 year in the last 10 where I didn’t collect crop insurance on something or multiple crops. She be wet, no hand outs just have to work a winter job.

It’s normal for me, this year might be a better return than we normally get and we’ve only had 3” of rain all year.

[Guest]

I think I’ve only had 1 year in the last 10 where I didn’t collect crop insurance on something or multiple crops. She be wet, no hand outs just have to work a winter job.

It’s normal for me, this year might be a better return than we normally get and we’ve only had 3” of rain all year.

God damn rights
You guys north of us deserve a break
It’s about time !
Can’t believe the shit you’ve endured
The rest of us think we were wet, but don’t have a clue

[shtferbrains]

I think I’ve only had 1 year in the last 10 where I didn’t collect crop insurance on something or multiple crops. She be wet, no hand outs just have to work a winter job.

It’s normal for me, this year might be a better return than we normally get and we’ve only had 3” of rain all year.

You must be pn the east side of the lake.

[Sheepwheat]

I think I’ve only had 1 year in the last 10 where I didn’t collect crop insurance on something or multiple crops. She be wet, no hand outs just have to work a winter job.

It’s normal for me, this year might be a better return than we normally get and we’ve only had 3” of rain all year.

Yeah multiple year crop insurance reliance hurts after a while. Premiums skyrocket and coverage drops. We have had about 3.5 inches now, and with the cooler, high humidity, and subsoil we had things look good, especially considering prices.

It’s sucks that to win, someone often has to lose. Usually are not 95% losing for the sake of 5% though.

[makar]

Well it’s been another dry week here.

The yellowjackets and grasshoppers are certainly enjoying it. We’re lucky the hoppers are only coming on thick now when there’s not much left for them to eat anyway. Next year will be a total wreck if the dry continues.

The yearlings are pretty much out of grass and should’ve been sold tomorrow but refused to come out of the bush. Once we got a bunch of them on the road they smashed a fence and ran away. Now they’re spread across six different quarters with plenty of bush. I really wasn’t looking forward to selling early but wanted to get them gone to put the pain behind me. Now we’re further behind than before with more work to drag them home somehow. Working and moving cattle this year has been very bizarre and all we can chalk it up to is the heat. Definitely not used to dealing with cows in +25 let alone +30 like most days it seems this year.

Spending more time dealing with water for the cows this year than the previous 5 years combined. The last few years they could stick their noses anywhere and get a drink.

The kids (our best crop) love coming to check cows with me as long as we stop and let them run in the corn. Pretty impressed with the corn and it’s starting to tassel and put on cobs at 3-7 feet tall. Hopefully it can stretch out more but has a lot of drought stress showing.

The barley and canola aren’t much to look at so we won’t discuss those. Off to a field day and AGM with our local forage association this afternoon. It’ll be nice to get away and visit with some likeminded folks. It’s been more stressful and time consuming not making hay (grazing instead) compared to other years …………… not to mention much less profitable. Hopefully everyone can scrounge enough “economical” cow chow to make it through.

Good luck y’all 🍀

Rather the bee nest in the tracks than the muskrat that committed Hari Kari in the 6 stump pan at 30 degrees.

[woodland]

Rather the bee nest in the tracks than the muskrat that committed Hari Kari in the 6 stump pan at 30 degrees.

This is on our old 6 as well too……….

Lost count of how many times I’ve been stung this year. Twice yesterday on the top of my head trying to get yearlings outta da bush.

[makar]

Never been stung by a bee in a old cat, they would just drive me
nuts flying around the canopy, my meti buddy if he drove it hammered him all day long. Said they were after a free drunk, but I drank more beer than he did.