10 Better Farming | September 2024 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON This year, many farmers in Ontario have faced significant challenges due to uncooperative weather conditions. With heavy rains and unpredictable weather forecasting, planting season did not go as planned for everyone. As harvest season approaches, Better Farming asked producers to think about the perfect harvest if everything goes according to plan. Some 98 per cent of farmers agreed that weather conditions played the most significant role in the ideal harvest. Lloyd, Bruce County: “Dry, warm weather with a slight breeze and machines all working perfectly – no weeds and price and yield are very good. Perfect never happens, but we try to get as close as possible.” Jon, Niagara Region: “Dry ground conditions, light rain on Saturday evening to let everyone go to church on Sunday. And no breakdowns, of course!” Bill, Elgin County: “Sunny with a slight breeze. This spring was the worst I have ever seen in over 60 years of farming.” Michel, Russell County: “Nice weather and minimum breakdowns.” Geoff, Bruce County: “Finish harvesting with good yields, on time, machinery working well and everyone is safe.” Jessica, Elgin County: “Good crop; no breakdowns.” Katie, Wellington County: “After perfect rain and warmth to grow the perfect hay crop, seven days of sunshine, 25 C, and 50 per cent humidity so we can bale our 70 acres of hay into small squares. All equipment runs great. We have lots of twine on hand, purchased at a reasonable price. Two skilled drivers and six people to load and unload wagons. The good weather holds long enough to have a grand celebration outside after all hay is in. A jump in the pool and a bonfire.” Ron, Essex County: “Enjoying my job with no stress and just pleasant.” Anthony, Grey County: “Nice weather; no breakdowns.” Doug, Middlesex County: “Harvest starts with a good growing season and the right mix of sun and rain making bountiful crops. My ideal harvest would be dry fields and dry crops. Everything goes much better, and it is very rewarding.” Jody, Brant County: “No breakdowns; good weather.” Maurice, Essex County: “Good, fairly dry conditions for the most part, with small weekly showers.” Tim, Oxford County: “Little bug damage, large, sweet berries, large quantity weekly, dry weather.” Larry, Brant County: “The Weather Network indicates no rain and lots of heat and a breeze for the foreseeable future. So, you cut your alfalfa – which is just starting to bloom on Monday – you fluff it up with a tedder the next day, and plan on raking it on Wednesday. High heat and a 10-kilometre wind dry the hay, so you can rake and bale it Wednesday afternoon. The wagons follow the baler, and by 9 p.m. on Wednesday night, the hay is in the barn. Because of the hot weather, it rains on Thursday, and the alfalfa field will produce another crop in just four weeks.” Derek, Niagara Region: “All the crop is delivered on time. No crop is left on the vines or put on the ground. No equipment breakdowns. No injuries. We can sit down for a glass of VQA wine to celebrate when the paycheque arrives!” Brian, Waterloo Region: “Harvest is greatly dependent on weather, so not too much rain during that timeframe is ideal. But it’s also out of our control – so take it as it comes.” John, Prince Edward County: “Harvest every day – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. – no rain delays and no breakdowns! In 45 years, harvest has yet to follow that plan! Good luck, fellow farmers, on a safe and plentiful harvest!” Peter, Niagara Region: “Everything cooperates – as in no bad weather, no machine or equipment breakdowns and a good yield.” BF Digging Deeper WHEN HARVEST GOES ACCORDING TO PLAN What’s your ideal harvest look like? By Mary Loggan Leslie Stewart photo
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