Alberta Ag Minister Thrilled With Rain

[Burbert]

Our new forward thinkin Ag Minister in Alberta, is genuinely thrilled cause it rained. He sounds very thankful and optimistic, that the rain will bring bumper crops to all and that the high/high yields will take pressure off his Department to do anything. Wow the PC's really kin make thing good for farmers, who'll vote fer them time and time agin. To bad that nobody has told him that there are only a dozen or so left out in the rural landscape to vote. Looks like they've shot themselves in the foot, with the rural depopulation policy that they are practisin............

[bucket]

Burbert, as you know, I rarely agree with you.

But I don't understand the optimism from this rain. It has or will set me back 2 weeks. Nothing can grow if it is not in the ground.

From my experience it would have been ok to put seed into bonedry ground and wait (not that we were dry in the first place).

These rains made everything so wet it will take a week to get back to good seeding conditions.

And you are right the politicians are jumping infront of the parade.

[dave4441]

We seeded into dust last year, poor emergence, low plant population and when it did rain it was not great. In SW sask we will delay seeding for a week (or 2) and be happy as heck. Of course if froze 10 times last year, so hopeing for a little later seeding and july heat.

[fjlip]

The moisture and soil conditions must be right for good crop potential. As for excessive moisture as we had here in 2007, meant crop mudded in, potholes, compaction and the result was a below average weedy crop. Wet at seeding guarantees nothing, in fact besides a pain and a half to work the fields, you lose acres and gain weeds due to lack of competition. Wish we had dry for a change.

[TOM4CWB]

Burbert,

You are if nothing else constant.

I am VERY happy for this blessed rain... the livestock folks had to have it to survive.

We have been praying for rain for months... one of the driest years in a very long time.

Bless Minister Hayden for appreciating that new promise and life much of Alberta just received.

Burbert... it must be truly depressing to live anywhere near your house!

God Bless Canada!

[Burbert]

You know Tom, before I go blessing minister Hayden, I'll wait fer him to actually do something, rather than just spend time spreading optical musings about how lucky us Albertie farmers really are, and apparently don't know it. I know that there are lots and lotsa guys/gals who spend their time sucking up to politicos, hopein fer a leg up, but don't count on me bein in that group!

[charliep]

So I guess the smiling face means you are happy with the rain and are looking forward to a prosperous year with high yields? It has been a billion dollar rain (northern Alberta at least).

[bucket]

Just curious, how many crops grow without being in the ground?

Enlightenen me on yields, grades and value if a farmer hasn't put a seed in the ground.

The impact of being two weeks behind schedule for harvest?

The production value of potholes?

Etc, etc, billion dollar rains come in june and july.

[charliep]

Not many. Not many crops are lost in May either.

[charliep]

Note the reference was to Alberta. The rain was very welcome at least in
the north part of the province (someone will have to update me on the
Peace region). Nice to get everything in the ground the first half of May
but the situation was drought prior to the rain/snow. Not a farmer but I
would suspect seeding around the long weekend in May with top soil
moisture is a better situation than seeding early into dust/praying for rain.

[fjlip]

It just seems right to pray for rain, it feels wrong to pray for this COLD WET Crappy weather to stop or change. Moisture is great but this frigging WET and LATE could be disaster if there is frost in the fall. Those of us that see all this mud would trade for drier in a heart beat. We never know a good thing when we have it, always looking over the fence.

[TOM4CWB]

fjlip,

We must have faith. Last year many prayers were answered... we needed an open Sept... an extra month... and the provision of the special weather was much appreciated!

God Bless Canada!