Crop Report: Week Two of June (Thursday Edition)
Seeding Progress
Seeding operations, or just floating and harrowing, are expected to reach 92% complete today. We wrapped up our own seeding last Thursday. In our area, the “super farmers” still have significant acres left, while those aggressive bidders fir dirt will continue pushing to finish. Many cowboy operations started seeding green feed, with the organic guys potentially wrapping up next week.
Weather Challenges and Crop Losses
The biggest issue right now is acres being lost to storms. Radar tells the story clearly:
• Red = furious storms with heavy rain, hail, and winds.
• Yellow = strong rain events.
• Green = wait it out in the sprayer — it will pass.
Some areas are losing significant acres. The average acreage in some area fields is now around 120 acres, with the rest underwater. A drought can end with a big three-day rain, but a flood crushes dreams.
We’re sitting right on the edge of the “mud zone.” Areas east of Lorlie, Saskatchewan, have seen much heavier totals (up to 9 inches in places). Locally, rainfall since May 1 is nearly 5 inches on our farms with almost 2 inches since the last report.
Equipment Update
The motor has been ordered, but shortages are causing delays. We had to prove the old one is toast (photo of the hole in the block was sent). A new drop-in engine is in transit. Full bill will come in at $140k. Fun times.
Spraying and Input Situation
Spraying is falling behind due to persistent wind and rain. Some operators are running all night — Liberty I find will be hard to do because it needs heat and sun, but other products may work better. Interestingly, the foliar sales reps have hit the road now that the rain has arrived.
Crop Conditions
• Wheat: Looking good overall, but the rains have weeds thriving.
• Lentils: Looking strong — similar acreage in our area too the last time we seeded them, with big acreage.
• Peas: Only a few fields, acreage down.
• Flax: Very little planted.
• Oats: Mostly what’s being seeded now, along with some barley.
• Canola: Roughly the same as last year or slightly less — seed costs are too high.
• Barley: Early seeding for malt, later for feed.
No winter cereals in our immediate area, though one field near Balgonie has headed out.
We could really use some sunshine and heat to get things back on track. Have a great week everyone!
The last two photos are crop aid SS around a slough that use to be a fairy ring of poor growth or zero growth. Last photo is raspberry patch with chemical applied last fall for weed control. Looks like both work well.
Seeding Progress
Seeding operations, or just floating and harrowing, are expected to reach 92% complete today. We wrapped up our own seeding last Thursday. In our area, the “super farmers” still have significant acres left, while those aggressive bidders fir dirt will continue pushing to finish. Many cowboy operations started seeding green feed, with the organic guys potentially wrapping up next week.
Weather Challenges and Crop Losses
The biggest issue right now is acres being lost to storms. Radar tells the story clearly:
• Red = furious storms with heavy rain, hail, and winds.
• Yellow = strong rain events.
• Green = wait it out in the sprayer — it will pass.
Some areas are losing significant acres. The average acreage in some area fields is now around 120 acres, with the rest underwater. A drought can end with a big three-day rain, but a flood crushes dreams.
We’re sitting right on the edge of the “mud zone.” Areas east of Lorlie, Saskatchewan, have seen much heavier totals (up to 9 inches in places). Locally, rainfall since May 1 is nearly 5 inches on our farms with almost 2 inches since the last report.
Equipment Update
The motor has been ordered, but shortages are causing delays. We had to prove the old one is toast (photo of the hole in the block was sent). A new drop-in engine is in transit. Full bill will come in at $140k. Fun times.
Spraying and Input Situation
Spraying is falling behind due to persistent wind and rain. Some operators are running all night — Liberty I find will be hard to do because it needs heat and sun, but other products may work better. Interestingly, the foliar sales reps have hit the road now that the rain has arrived.
Crop Conditions
• Wheat: Looking good overall, but the rains have weeds thriving.
• Lentils: Looking strong — similar acreage in our area too the last time we seeded them, with big acreage.
• Peas: Only a few fields, acreage down.
• Flax: Very little planted.
• Oats: Mostly what’s being seeded now, along with some barley.
• Canola: Roughly the same as last year or slightly less — seed costs are too high.
• Barley: Early seeding for malt, later for feed.
No winter cereals in our immediate area, though one field near Balgonie has headed out.
We could really use some sunshine and heat to get things back on track. Have a great week everyone!
The last two photos are crop aid SS around a slough that use to be a fairy ring of poor growth or zero growth. Last photo is raspberry patch with chemical applied last fall for weed control. Looks like both work well.
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