Better Farming – September 2016

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22 Farm News First > Better Farming September 2016
“Moisture is at a premium this
year. In the Dresden area, we
were lucky with adequate
moisture all year. However, it
was timely and never in over
abundance. So far in 2016, it
reminds me that crops do better
with ‘slightly dry’ versus ‘slightly
wet’ conditions. Record wheat
yields were testament to that.
Crops with ‘wet feet’ are never a
good thing.”
– Philip Shaw, Dresden
“We were very dry from May
through the beginning of July.
The last couple of weeks (in
July) have been good though.”
– Mike Pasztor, Norfolk County
“Every year, crop farmers in
some part of North America are
hurt by bad weather, and this
year it is the turn for drought-
stressed farmers in Ontario.
Corn and soybean yields will be
depressed because of lack of
rain in the Guelph area, though
other areas are much worse. By
contrast, crops look really good
in the heart of the U.S. Mid-
west, and that means lower
prices at harvest.”
– Terry Daynard, Guelph BF
Overheard from
farms:
How’s 2016’s
crop shaping up?
technology fee on each bag sold,” says
Trudell. “Because of that, our seed is
significantly cheaper than most seed
on the market.”
For growers who haven’t yet made
their decisions on what to plant next
year, Harry advises now is the time to
do research. If rain comes and
soybean growing conditions improve,
“it could be a long year,” says Harry.
“Some growers may even find them-
selves harvesting in November or
December.” BF
SEED REPORT