Attended Farm Barbecue today, consensus were done seeding most say!

[SASKFARMER3]

Was at a few chem barbecues this week and met many farmers from our area and beyond. Most said they had anywhere from 1 to 14 to 87 quarters to go, and that if it rains Thursday and Friday they are quiting for this year. Most in this area have been down this road before and realize that seeding in June does not produce much of a crop unless you cross all your fingers toes and eyes and the sun and moon align right etc etc. Simply farmers know that mother nature was very kind last fall and that law of averages says 2010 it wont happen twice. Tomorrow I travel south of Regina and West to Moose-jaw area will be interesting to see.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/pfra/drought/prrl60dy_e.htm
You see this isn't about the NE part of Saskatchewan like media reports say its a huge area.
But like most ostriches with their heads in sand they only believe what they here. Their is a huge problem developing. Water doesn't make grain when it rains every other day.
Crops that do good in water = Bamboo and rice which we grow none in Western Canada.
Crops that do poor in Water = Canola, peas, lentils, flax, barley, oats, hrs, Durum, Chick peas, etc etc.
Hm We grow all these.
What I am saying also after a full day on the sprayer is guys will be getting another surprise when they spray. Huge areas of field are flooded out dead or dying with all the moisture and guess what more on way today tomorrow up to sat. This is a huge problem hills and higher areas nice and green, low areas and low spots water or water running. Hm not good either way crop not seeded or crop seeded their is a huge problem for canadian production this year and guess what its being sugar coated.

[SASKFARMER3]

Oh yea its pouring in Regina as I write this. Great just great.

[SASKFARMER3]

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/vtraf_unseeded-canola-in-canada-could-reach-up-to-5m-acres-viterra-975331.html

[SASKFARMER3]

My guess is Saskatchewan will get 77% of the crop in before most just give up. Take Larry's 32,880,000 million acres that leaves 7,562,400 unseeded. That's lots. Then deduct flooded areas all over western Canada. And don't tell me your farm has none that are flooded.

[dave4441]

My farm has none that is flooded

[BreadWinner]

My farm is all flooded 6600ac.

[dave4441]

Sorry SK3, i could not resist, but there are lots of people without flooding. I do not mean to belittle anyone that has flooding or problems, it is just that it is SK3s third year of killing the crop. Always with the same "the idiots do not know anything routine". Only i am close to done seeding, noone else is.

I was in Regina/Moose Jaw/Weyburn area yesterday, as well as Davidson the day before. Amazing vairability in seeded area. I believe the markets are strugglinig with this because it is very hard to get a handle on, plus you have incredible production potential in some of the other regions. You can drive 25 miles near Regina and visualize that seeding is close to done, and drive 10 miles more and think it is 50%, or even less in spots. That is what is making this hard to figure out, it is not just a whole corner of the province that is having problems figureing out what is happening, (as previous wet issues were), it is spots within a local region even. From Swift Current to Moose Jaw I would say is pretty much complete. Get 10 miles past MJ and it is terrible until 10 miles south of regina. Then get to milestone to Weyburn and it is not bad. Francis to 10 miles east of Regina is also not bad. I realize a 1200 km drive on the highway is just that, but it does give a good indication of what is happening.

Again, i am not belittling anyone that is having problems, i am just saying if you are willing to be objective, this thing is not cut and dry. I was looking at some lentil field in SE that i was absolutely shocked at the size of them as i pictured poor establishment and no growth, in many cases weed control will be the next issue.

I am not saying lateness is not an issue, i am talking in a general sense of the seeding state and what still may be accomplished. LAst year Crop Insurance wrote off alot of production prematurely, that in some cases, neighboring fields did quite well. I hope that is the case for some of you that are having problems.

[dave4441]

My other observation was I beleive the actual field work must be a complete nightmare in specific areas. In the SW we are not used to working around a slough, let alone 10 on a quarter. Looks like people high clearance sprayers can go thru anything almost.

[wmoebis]

Doesn't SCIC, SAF or AG CANADA not have radar or photo cappabilities to see exactally how much is seeded or flooded. I would think air photos would be better than driving down the highway.

[dave4441]

Good question, but i think most of that data is so dated that it is irrelevant. But i am just guessing on this.

[wmoebis]

Bet there is real time data somewhere. Only privy to chosen few.

[SASKFARMER3]

Full retail dave good to here from you but reality is last year was a miracle. All I am saying is their are millions of acres that wont get seeded.

[freewheat]

Dave, your tour of the southern third of sask is out of touch. When you mentioned your from the southwest, I had to laugh a bit. Drought worse than too wet. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Travel the number five or 16 sometime to get perspective.

This is where grain yields are higher, and this area is not seeded. Hope the southwest can come up with some 70 bushel canola yields so we can feed the crushers!

[freewheat]

I'll also try to remember the next drought that hits the west, and my crops are phenomenal, to mention in passing, it can't be that bad, wet is sorse than dry, its just a small area, etc. Take 2002-03, some of my best crops, it was A "dought" year I thought. Media was freaking out. DROUGHT,DROUGHT. Not "here". LOL

[bucket]

The cwb has the capabilities to watch in real time the images of crop development. They will show you the command center but not let you access its info, even though we are paying for it. Ironic.