13 Our Advertisers Appreciate Your Business Better Farming | October 2024 Post-Harvest Cleanup The end of harvest often feels like a finish line for the growing season. As crops come off and the busy season ends, it is an opportunity for grain and oilseed farmers to look ahead and set up their fields for success in 2025. Carmen Prang, agronomy extension specialist at the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, suggests that producers review the decisions they made for the 2024 growing season while the results remain fresh. “We have put in a ton of work to finish the current crop year, but there are always more decisions that can be made to set up your farm for the next year,” says Prang. “We can take time to evaluate our decisions from the last year, like weed, insect, and nutrient management, and we can begin addressing our plans for the next year.” Dr. Breanne Tidemann, a research scientist with a focus on weeds at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, adds, “After harvest is a good opportunity to look back at the outcome of the management decisions for that year and decide how you want to manage things differently next year.” What steps should producers take to clean up their fields post-harvest as they reflect on the current year? Managing residue There are several options for managing straw and residue after harvest. The handling of residue can affect weed control, soil moisture, and soil nutrients in the subsequent year’s crop. Each farm will have its own goals and needs, which will be a factor in this decision. Prang notes that 1.66 lbs of residue is typically created for every 1 lb of grain harvested. She says producers can manage their straw well before harvest in several ways. “There are some things farmers might want to consider before they even think about harvest,” says Prang. “Are you selecting a variety that will have lots of straw? If it’s looking like a heavy crop, you can consider a plant Take a soil sample and meet with an agronomist after harvest. Enjoy Today Photography photo Baling is an option to clean up your straw. Darya Prokapalo - stock.adobe.com
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