Well like all good things sooner or later they have to come to a end. The above photo was us combining on last Sunday for a friend north of us it was barley. We should of went Monday afternoon and finished the last quarter he had but ice rain pellets hit and top of swath was a little ice. Since then its been half ass mist and light dusting of snow. Maybe Friday or Saturday for the last quarter and our custom work is done. Did 7 extra quarters.
So most in our area are getting close to the finish line, odd field guys turned the cows into it or waiting for custom cutter to do last oats. Few odd fields of hailed out crap that wont get harvested. Few fields of flax and canola that will have a winter out side. Basically 98% for our area.
Fall field work ended on Monday when the over night was -12. Ground is froze and we are for the most part done. Winter the season I so hate is almost here. But we all should be thankful on this American thanks giving for the Miracle or November. I still say the Canadian day is way to early because Under this new Climate change world we are celebrating the American Holiday just about every year for the last 5 to 10. I love this climate change. Really nothing has changed since farming began in Canada. Back in the 50s or so we harvested in Late November then the droughts of the 30s and 80s. So were wet now but eventually all will reverse and water issues could again pop back into the picture. Thats farming each year is different and we try to beat mother nature as she hands out all kinds of shit. Who every thought that after the Ugly October we would actually get a chance at harvest in November. It couldn't happen like 2009. Well it did for some and some got a chance to squeak out a few more fields.
But this report is on Yields or how well each crop did for each area.
HRS is above average yield and most will grade a #2 with protein levels all over the place. Later harvested is a three, Some graded sample due to Fuz and Ergot in area. Not sure what happened but spraying was worth it for weight and less disease. Its a bandaid thats all.
Durum was not great as yields were ok but disease will knock the crop down. Our renewal project was a bust as it had all sort of problems from spring to fall and double spraying was not any help. To much water and maybe just maybe Durum is done in our part of the province.
Flax was either great or not so good. Harvest was interesting as some fields were nice to harvest and some were WTF happened. Couldn't cut. For the most part it would be a average Flax crop for our area.
Peas were either in two classes Great yield and no problems with Disease or WTF should of not grown them. Water and peas don't go hand in hand.
Soy was another good year in our area with yields inching just above 40 and quality is good. Lots more will be added as the years go forward. One note we didn't really have any fall killing frost till real late and August was wet.
Lentils were extra three to a little better but very few grown in our area.
Oats yields that did make it off were big and heavy oats. But most was still out after october and some losses happened on yield and grade. Any over winter will be burnt.
Barley was the crop that had unbelievable yields this year. All that was early has a chance at the Malt game but not all are winners. We have three big bins off same Section and Middle bin is Malt the other two aren't. Really its the same field for F$%K sakes. Oh well that is the only problem with Malt its a game and they always win. Late harvested has either sprouts if swath or 20 to 30% loss if standing.
Canola the retarded sister that eventually will see acreage drop as soy and other crops move in. Cost are getting out of control and yield has topped. Provincial average yield on true harvested acreage will be close. Its no bin buster like the markets thought back in July but its ok. I still say Alberta Sask and Manitoba are fugging numbers on whats still out their and Canola and Oats are the crops. We will come in at 17.2 for production but that number could drop with problems in harvested crop. When they talk big yields its funny how mother nature straitens them out.
Corn had a great year and actually some was harvested, most swath graze.
So as the season comes to a end we reflect back on the year that was, Happy American Thanksgiving to all! The miracle of November saved a few more farmers this year. It was a good year but no 2013. We lost a few on Agriville and they will be missed, But the generosity of those who donated to the family were greatly appreciated. To all the new guys who are looking or participating welcome its not bad to discuss farming even if marketing threat some times gets political.
So be safe if your still trying to harvest and remember its just a crop that they will try to get buy paying the least. The ones at home are way more important than it. They suffer if you don't make it home.
Happy Thanks Giving.
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