Why is Rain Such a Problem at Harvest?
This post was originally written in 2014. It was updated August 2026. Drought on a farm can be a wonderful thing. That may raise some eyebrows. But it’s true—during harvest.…
A Year in the Life of a Farmer
Leading & inspiring to grow a better future
This post was originally written in 2014. It was updated August 2026. Drought on a farm can be a wonderful thing. That may raise some eyebrows. But it’s true—during harvest.…
No, it’s not drainage. Not really. Water management is far more than draining a few sloughs onto your neighbours. What is the most important resource for our crops? Fertilizer? Crop…
It has been two months since I posted “One Storm Can Change Everything“. That was the last – and only – significant rain event we have seen this year. Making…
6 weeks. That’s how much time has passed since the last significant rainfall came to us. That is the longest stretch without rain (at this time of the year) I…
Every year is different. Generally, you can classify years by how their weather patterns. Last year was dry, 2014 was wet, 2013 was cool and wet, 2012 was hot and…
A lack of precipitation coupled with warm and windy conditions has caused a great deal of drying on our soils. What started out as near-perfect conditions for planting has since become concerning. Every day gets dustier and dustier.
Here’s the reality: we simply don’t know what the year will bring. Everything we do now is based on our best guesses of how the year may pan out. Today, there is moisture in the ground, the soil temperature is over 5 degrees, and the fields are plenty dry enough to run equipment over them. That’s why we’re seeding.
While 30 degree days are wonderful out on the lake, they are critically damaging to growing crops. In a dry year like this one, moderate temperatures are sorely needed.