Crops not drying

[craig]

The grain trade is driving me nuts. There seems to be an assumption that if it does not rain then that is favorable harvest weather. Temperatures continue to be well below normal and we are finding the highs only happen for about 2 or 3 hours late afternoon. Yesterday we were still at 70% humdity mid afternoon. We combined standing barley yesterday and it was still testing 19% moisture late afternoon. I'm noticing how many canola fields are still not combined. Usually canola will still get dry when conditions aren't favorable. I see nothing in the near term forecast to suggest things are going to improve. Sooner or later maybe Winnipeg will clue in.

[TOM4CWB]

Craig;

Few have harvested dry wheat in the northern CDN grain belt... especially where the ground is real wet. And the sun is lower and lower each day... less and less heat.

I am sure waiting for global warming... sure would be nice for a week or two in northern SK and AB!

Again... those who took the experts advise on Canola swathing could be in trouble.

Green seed counts are directly purportional to swathing date... not the percentage of colour change.

Those who waited to 60% colour change on a big crop of Canola could be at big risk of not harvesting dry Canola this fall. And still having seed that will not grade #1.

Rule #1 all Canola needs to be mature enough to swath by SEPT 5th... that means 5% colour change... not 60%. I understand that there is only a 1% shrink loss factor between 30% and 60% colour change in swathing timing.

If it is 30Deg.C maybe different... but how often does blistering hot weather occur in the Northern CDN. grain belt after Sept. 5th?

[craig]

Showers on the weekend brought harvest to a standstill. I am estimating about 50% of the crop in our area still to be harvested. Forecast suggests little harvesting this week.