Late Spring

[cottonpicken]

Can anyone give examples in past of late springs and
huge snow packs and what ended up happening?

[freewheat]

Almost every year we get a heavy
snowpack. And every year it melts, and
we usually get to seed. It is only in
the last 7 years we have been forced by
wetness to be unable to seed. This may
occur May 1st, but more commonly May
15th. And frequently enough, the 20th is
a decent start time for here.

A few specific examples:
Fall of 1993: The 10th of September we
got about 10 inches of heavy wet snow,
and it flattened the crops like a
pancake. Over winter, mice bred in the
flat crops, and when spring came, mice
were EVERYWHERE, like a plague. Seeded
around lots of sloughs that next spring,
because the laid down areas did not dry
out. Snowpack was normal.

Spring of 1996:

14 inches of heavy wet snow fell
straight down with no wind at the end of
march, and I went snowmobiling in the
forest on April 18th in wonderful
conditions. Gravel roads were rutted all
up, people got stuck on them. The only
way out was with a tractor, or a sled.
That year, guys started seeding May
27th. The crop turned out pretty good,
but all had to be dried, and harvest was
late.

Spring of 2006:

After a wet, late fall in 2005, we got
lots of snow that winter, and it rained
all spring. creeks ran into the fall,
and into winter, and culverts froze and
made a mess. Then in the spring, most
were only able to seed 25% of their
land. I personally seeded 1 quarter.

Spring of 2007, same as prior year. All
I got seeded was some canola by plane,
and a couple quarters of winter wheat.

Spring of 2010. Not excessive snow, but
too much rain. Never seeded an acre.

Spring of 2011. Again, not too much
snow, but too much rain. Left 350 acres
unseeded.

Spring of 2012. Again, not much snow,
too much rain. Left the home quarter un
seeded. Had to seed a half section of
canola with a floater.

I guess the point I see here,, is that
rain in the spring is FAR more critical
to avoid, than a massive snowfall. We
usually get 4 feet of snow or more. Snow
has yet to cause an unseeded disaster
here. It has always been the spring
rains, and lack of warm sun. 1996 was
close, but everything got seeded.

IMO, it is WAY too early to panic, a lot
can happen yet. And this is from someone
who has obviously suffered the past
several years, and is used to lots of
snow. Most of the province is much dryer
and warmer than here. If I am not
worried, I do not think anyone else
should be yet. YET! lol.

Finally the rest of the province gets
what is normal for us. And the panic
starts. Well, join the dang club! This
is just normal. I understand the
concern, but being spoiled and not being
able to seed in April is not the end of
the world.

[riders2010]

But Freewheat you have to admit its really gonna screw up those june 1st golf tournaments. lol

[Partners]

Its best to NOT look at the calendar..It means zip..We have had early, cold springs where the crops grew very slow..If we seed later and get a warm-hot growing season we will be just fine...

[boarderbloke]

cotton, 2011 was a late melt, and if you remember there was a lot of snow too. What really made 2011 bad were the rains and wet snow that arived just as everyone was ready to plant. That moisture was followed by regular rains every 5-7 days. Just when a guy thought it would dry off enough to go in the field, another 15 or 30 mm would come down. That happened all through the planting window here.
Looks like they've changed the forecast again!
Another week of below normal temps, and little melting. When this thing goes, look out!
Added the extra $30/ac this morning when I saw the new forecast.

[HappyFarmer]

Very good points Freewheat. The rain in the spring can kill you, the snow right now usually doesn't.

I look at it this way. This time last year, where probably a week away from the fields being dry enough to seed. We waited 3 weeks from that just because it would have been to early even though we could have been going.

2 weeks of 10 to 15 degree days will get rid of all our snow. Say another 2 weeks after that (at the most) for it to dry up. We get going May 1, perfect. That is not late for us. If it start raining in April, totally different story, but im not panicing today about that.

And another thing my grandpa told me, never underestimate a farmer! Theres no one like them who has the will to get things done when they need to be done.

[hobbyfrmr]

Good posts. My observation is that there is a
phenomenal amount of work and planting.
Between May15 to June 1.
Think of all the fuel, spray, fert, chem and seeds
that go in the ground in this time window. I am
always impressed with that thought.
I don't get my knickers knotted up. Every year we
get close to,planting then there is a week delay.
That's the week to double check and fix all the
small stuff you find. Then you plant like a
madman, straight through.
A wire rubbed through somewhere or a loose
connection will raise more anxiety than a week of
too wet.
The crop always goes in, and it always comes off.
That......is our job.

[boarderbloke]

Heard on the radio that they were golfing in Maple Creek today, it'll be four weeks till you could do that in SESK.

[farmgal71]

We are not too worried yet. I would like a little warmer weather though.
Too darn cold for too darn long.
Happy Easter everyone.