According to the September 24 edition of the Manitoba Crop Report, the Southwest area was hit with 30 to 110 mms (1.8 to 4.33 inches) of rainfall. It added that Boissevain, Mountainside and Brandon all received more than 100 mms (3.94 inches). Although the rains have recharged the soil, the report said it has been obviously delaying harvest, saying little was done over the week. Cereal quality has declined due to the moisture, and there is visible water in low-lying areas.
Gord Ransom, who lives about five miles south and seven miles west of Boissevain, said when he checked the rain gauge on Sunday after the two days of downpour, it read five and 3/10 inches (about 130 mms). It was a lot of rain in a short time, and has caused obvious problems for anyone trying to get a crop in or for feedlot operators getting around or spreading manure. Although the moisture is good for pastureland, that is about it.
“It is a real challenge right now,” Ransom said. “It is a nice rain, but not at the right time.”
He said in his area, some producers were on the fields by Monday. If they have tracks on combines, it can work, while regular wheels can have more problems with sinking. There is a surprising amount getting done, Ransom explained, but only in spurts. From a precipitation standpoint, it is one of those years.
“When you are not getting rain, an 80% chance is not great. When you’re getting rain, a 40% chance means you will get it.”
As the harvest season delays and drags on, a number of issues come into play and conspire together. When rain falls, you cannot get out in the fields without the equipment sinking. The longer it goes, the longer it takes to dry out. The rain stopping for one day does not mean you can get out again immediately. What has been happening lately is that as soon as the land would be ready, there is another rain, which stops the process.
As well, as time and the seasons move on, mitigating the problem becomes more difficult. The days are shorter and the temperatures go down. The combination of less sunlight and warmth means it becomes more difficult to dry the fields. It does not impact the precipitation, however. The longer crops are in the damp, the more their quality goes down. As well, the risk of killer frost goes up. It becomes a cycle of difficulty that producers have no control over, one that can turn a possibly good crop into a mess over time.
According to the crop report, harvest in the area is about 55% done, which might seem surprising considering the conditions, but is still low for this time of year. More producers are working in straight cut than swath. Spring wheat is about 65% done, while canola harvest is 30% complete. Canola is looking at yields in the 45 to 50 bushels to the acre range with good quality. Wheat is average to above average yields with protein ranging from 13 to 15%. Most need aeration and drying, and remaining unharvested crop is being downgraded due to mildew and sprouting.
Soybeans are getting ready to go, with no reports of harvested acres. It is moving past the point of frost injury. However, this could still impact corn yield and development if it is heavy.
As for the weather, forecasts are not great. On Thursday, 15 to 20 mms (.5 - .8 inches) were predicted. Wet conditions are to continue for the following days, with up to 30 mms (1.8 inches) to be added to the fray on Sunday and Monday. Also, temperatures are to dip below freezing on Saturday morning.
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff