The drought is getting real

[Hopalong]

Going on for twenty seven years since last multi year prairie drought.
We may be better equipped with farming practices and technology to withstand drought but nothing to say next drought will not be longer and more severe.
Who would have thought wet years would have lasted as long as they did?
Have not given up on be prepared policy.

[sumdumguy]

What can we do to prepare for a repeat of the 80's. Every soil type is different, but for sure, leaving a tall strip of straw to catch snow. No fall tillage in gumbo, in fact no black dirt at all to blow. What can you add?

[Ache4Acres]

What can we do to prepare for a repeat of the 80's. Every soil type is different, but for sure, leaving a tall strip of straw to catch snow. No fall tillage in gumbo, in fact no black dirt at all to blow. What can you add?

Hhmmm..the 80s...stock up on pesticide !!

[biglentil]

Hhmmm..the 80s...stock up on pesticide !!

In 88 there was half the average rainfall i think we are on track for about a quarter of normal rainfal. Arguably shaping up to be the driest year on record in our area. Maybe that will all change tomorrow but no hail please.

[sumdumguy]

We returned from our road trip to Great Falls Montana. Its very evident that the Bow and Milk River sustain life in the sandy desert, but basically irrigating hay. Lentil fields start at Culbertson. We didn't see any Canola until we crossed the border into Sask. nor did we see a stellar stand anywhere but did see many fields that were capoot. It was 40 degrees on the way back in Montana. Every irrigation pivot was pumping. A lot of the winter wheet has been combined and the spring cereals are pathetic. One large elevator had a tarped pile of wheat on the ground tarped. Lentil except for one big field were about four inches high, kinda ble fuzzy with about 4 viable single pods.

The highlight of the trip was a stop in Havre were the Versatile dealer must have loved Big Buds, Steigers, Wagners and an assortment of old and new seeders, ever see a 'Pillar? The best stand of lentils ( just outside of Glasgow) that we saw was seeded into pure gravel by a JD 1850 disc drill with 8 inch spacing and a special-made notched steel closing wheel.

It is much cooler on this side of the border.

Next weekend we are Kindersley/Rosetown bound.

[sumdumguy]

Looking at tonight's satellite, that big blob pushing down from the north is not letting the Idaho Lows up. Buzz off, must be the Ruskies!

[Hopalong]

Lesson learned from dry years is importance of control of weeds and volunteer crop growth before seeding.
See some of worst emergence fields is ones seeded late and not sprayed until just before. May also have suffered from poor seed and fertilizer separation.

[helmsdale]

If the powers that be do not bless this stretch of real estate with a significant rain today or tomorrow, there is serious trouble on the horizon. Early seeded peas and oilseeds are likely OK, but need the heat to stay away so they can draw the subsoil moisture up quick enough to keep up to filling the pods. Later seeded is struggling to stay in bloom. Heat and wind are taking their toll, and most flowers are aborting. Early seeded wheat is flowering but will need a drink to put anything in the head, while later seeded stuff is just heading and taking on that lovely blue complexion. Another week of this and heat and wind will take a significant toll.

[LEP]

Sumdumguy, that dealer in Havre is where big buds were manufactured originally. He regularly takes in wore out big buds and completely rebuilds them updates the hydraulics and then paints them. I make it down every year or two and always stop in to see the what he has on the lot.