Staff Photo By: Darcie Thom

Farmers are taking advantage of the excellent weather, combines have been going steady and late into the evenings.

By: Darcie Thom

After the rains and unexpected weather, farmers have been doing their best to catch up on the much needed harvesting and combining that had to be put on hold. Although farmers have been busy with their crops, the elevators, which buy and process their grains have been just as busy.

Cargill Limited of Langbank, a fertilizer and chemical supplier, may not be a receiver of the farmer’s crops, but they are well aware of some of the statistics that involve the variety of cereal grains.

Before the drought of rains, most of the crops were on their way to great prosperity; however, after the rains and harsh weather, the crops lost a small amount in their quality.

Heather Haus of Cargill Limited reported that before the wet and cold weather, the peas were approximately 70 percent, the winter wheat was approximately 60 percent and the barley was barely 10 percent harvested. Louis Dreyfus Canada LTD, of Glenavon, reported that 10 to 15 percent of the crops were ready to be harvested or combined when the wet weather took over.

Most of the wheat farmers were fairly happy to receive the grades that they did considering that they had such moist fields for a period of time. Wheat that has been sampled has been rated 2 at best, but for the most part, farmers are seeing grades that range between 2 and 3. Wheat farmers have been happy with the number of bushels, which have averaged out to about 30 per acre.

Barley, on the other hand, was better before the drought of rains took place. Before the wet weather invaded the crops, the barley was supplying farmers with high quality malt, which is now best for feed, but is still averaging a grade of 2. Farmers have managed to average about 55 to 80 bushels per acre, most are still getting the quantity but not the quality. Lance Jorgensen, a representative from Parrish and Heimbecker LTD. reported that the samples had not been great in quality but have been seen in large quantity, a lot of it containing sprouts and greens. Some farmers had the misfortune to produce oats, barley and wheat that has been stained with mildew because of the rain. Many crops that were once high quality have been downgraded due to the September weather.

So far, the winter wheat has been reported to be doing well.

Canola has been the best in quality and quantity so far this crop season. Most farmers are getting an average of 40 bushels per acre and the elevators are reporting that there has been no trace of greens so far.

“There hasn’t been great quality (this crop season), but field wise, there has been quantity, except in the canola which has been good all around,” said Dave Bray, a representative of Louis Dreyfus Canada LTD.

Both the farmers and the variety of grain elevators have been mostly pleased to see that the crops are still being graded in the 2 to 3 area, thankful that the crops have managed to maintain an average grade in quality.