If excessive moisture is the new "normal", what does your farm look like in 10 years?

[AlbertaFarmer5]

So, what if the past century was dry, and this wet pattern is actually normal(all evidence says the opposite, but for the sake of discussion...) If you could know for certain that this weather pattern is here to stay for a few years, how would your farm adapt? Smaller, more grass, more hay, different crops, different rotation, methods or equipment, or try to beat mother nature at her own game with a lot of heavy equipment and diesel fuel( when you can least afford it), or just write off all of the wet areas?

What do the old timers in your area say about the weather, been there done that, or unheard of before? Did they have a different purpose for some of the ground that is now too wet to farm?

I farm in the wettest and coldest place on the prairies, (no exaggeration, check the stats) so dealing with excess moisture is nothing new, doesn't make it any more fun though. While I really admire the flat deep black land I see in the "real" grain country further east, if it was situated in my climate, you would get a crop once in 10 years, and likely vice versa if my clay hills were in Pallisers triangle.

I've compiled a lot of weather and climate history for this region, and the prairies in general, everything tells me that John Palliser was probably right in the long term( doesn't mean this pattern can't last for a generation or more, no point in planning for a mega drought that may not happen for another thousand years), and we should probably enjoy the moisture while it comes. The last half of the 20th century seems to have been the most ideal growing conditions for the past few centuries, and may not be repeated for just as long.

[Rareearth]

Expect more corn and soybeans.
Likely grain dryers as well.
More colonies, don't know if that's adaptation

Autonoumous tractors, and technology everything
GMO everything
Organic fruit loops, should keep the organic guys in the game.

[grrrr]

Back about 20 or more years ago, there were some guys that did a study on dried lake beds on the prairies. They studied the sediment in the bottom of these lakes much like you would study tree rings. If I remember right, they came up with, "If you think the 30's and the 80's were dry, you haven't seen anything yet." According to their findings there were droughts in the past that lasted decades, maybe centuries. I don't remember if there was anything about prolonged wet years. Does anyone else remember this, or am I dreaming again?

[bgmb]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drought_in_Canada

[grassfarmer]

You are right grrr - the red deer river data indicated dry periods to dwarf the 30s in terms of severity and length. The 20th century is the wettest there has ever been on the prairies. If it reverts to "normal" it will be game over for agriculture as we know it.

[Klause]

Dinosaurs would not have had anything to eat if the past was that dry always. It's all cycles.


Most of Manitoba was once a big lake - Lake Agassiz

[AlbertaFarmer5]

The lakebed sediments is one of the sources I am referring to. Prolonged wet periods seem to be a rare exception.

[wmoebis]

You read and hear of the first explorers that documented of millions of buffalo roaming the prairies in native grass that was up to their bellies. That must have taken some rain.

[farmaholic]

In less than a few more decades it won't matter to me, I'll be returned to that of which I came.

Humans have an uncanny ability to adapt and if the "changes" aren't of the quick drastic kind I'm sure we'll evolve over the long haul. Our Individual time here in the grand scheme of things is insignificant, enjoy the stay it really isn't that long!

[mbdog]

The palliser triangle is desert and unless someone moves the rockies, its still a desert. Talk to the guys in Oklahoma/Texas.
Klause.... Mb is downstream from a lot of the continent...not changing that but your right. We're wetter than hell but thats not the reason.
Still not buying cows.

[bucket]

My land would be a swamp. Part of it is already.

[furrowtickler]

Bucket - in no way am I poking fun at you but there is a way to make a lot of money and have unlimited entertainment with overly wet years - check out RYC Florida - "Red Neck Yacht Club"
Just be the first one in your area to do it.

[TSIPP]

if the grass is up to the buffalos belly there wont be much sediment in the rivers to measure. when this land south east of moose jaw was first surveyed one hundred and thirty years ago it was full of small lakes and pot holes.

[grassfarmer]

wmoebis, The millions of buffalo weren't grazing at any great stock density. Even with greatly depleted cattle inventories across North America there are likely twice as many cattle now as there were buffalo at their peak - and the buffalo were grazing everything including all the land that is in grain now.
With the land in pristine condition its no wonder they were up to their bellies in grass!

[sumdumguy]

Does history repeat?