www.estevanmercury.ca
June 10, 2015 A15
Crop seeding accomplished early By Jordan Baker editor@estevanmercury.ca
Producers got a head start seeding this year and completed the first phase of the annual harvest process ahead of schedule. Early seeding doesn’t necessarily mean an early harvest. The unpredictability of the summer months between planting and harvest may mean producers haven’t really had a head start at all. Sherri Roberts, a Ministry of Agriculture regional crop specialist for the southeast corner who is based in Weyburn, said early seeding may be good, but it’s not a particularly good predictor of what kind of year is ahead for producers. Now producers are at the mercy of the weather. “It all depends on Mother Nature and the weather. Not to be a total pessimist but if we don’t get any rain at all, there won’t be a harvest,” said Roberts. “Think back to the 30s.” But still, she added, the earlier the seed is in the ground, the greater potential there is for higher production, and acknowledged the record pace at which crops were put in the ground this spring, noting it is “way above the five-year average at this point.” With the prairies experiencing one of the driest springs in recent memory, following a winter that saw below average snowfall, the conditions have been ripe
for farmers to get to work in the fields. This work hasn’t come without its problems, and Roberts said the early seeding makes crops susceptible to the lower overnight temperature drops that can happen in May. “We have had some problems. People got in the field and they got (seeds) in, but then Mother Nature came along and provided us with a frost. There have been some issues where some people have had to do some replanting because of that,” said Roberts. Some replanting was necessary in the Radville area following a recent frost. “It was spotty. Right here around Weyburn, nothing looks like it got touched, but if you get over by Radville, some people are replanting. It all depended on the crop and when they
Seeding around the southeast and elsewhere across the province came to an early end this spring. Producers now look to manage the 2015 crop and hope conditions remain favourable for the growing season. If they are in high enough numbers, she said they may need to be sprayed. “A lot of farmers are starting to do their weed control and often times for a stressed plant, herbicide is a whole lot harder on it. It might set it back a little bit. If you can wait until we get a little bit of moisture please do so, but if not, and those weeds are at the stage that they really need to be sprayed then spray. But realize your crop may take a bit of a setback because of that, because we’re so dry.” Because of the dry conditions, some crops have needed to be planted a little deeper to ensure there is contact with soil moisture. That — Sherri Roberts, has created some emergence issues. Ministry of Agriculture Regional Crop Specialist “The deeper you have to plant it, the
got it in.” Some crops can handle lower temperatures, even down to about -4C. Cereals, growing a little deeper in the soil are more hearty, but soybeans and canola are particularly susceptible to frost damage. If they don’t need to be replanted following a frost, crop growth is considered
typical for this time of the year. “Crops that I’ve been seeing have been in fairly good shape, but there are fields that need some moisture.” Roberts noted there are some issues with flea beetles on canola plants, which locate themselves on the underside of leaves.
‘We have had some problems. People got in the field and they got (seeds) in, but then Mother Nature came along and provided us with a frost. There have been some issues where some people have had to do some replanting because of that.’
Unique baseball stories to be shared at library Baseball historian Phil S. Dixon will be a special guest of the Estevan Public Library on June 16, to reveal tales about the well-known baseball vagabond team, the Kansas City Monarchs and their unique history. The telling of the tales will begin at 6 p.m. in the library. Most people have heard of Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, and many have heard of the Kansas City Monarchs, but few know how connected the Monarchs were to many Saskatchewan communities. In honour of the 90th anniversary of the Monarchs’ first World Championship in 1924, Dixon is visiting 90 cities where the Monarchs played ball and that includes Estevan. Dixon will present the Monarchs’ history with a local twist as he discusses
the games the Monarchs played in hometowns against local competition. He also talks about the history of Saskatchewan baseball players, as well as, the Monarchs’ ballgames and the games played by other African-American teams. “Phil was very enthusiastic about coming to Estevan,” said Victoria Utman, adult program co-ordinator at the public library, “which was exciting for me. We (library staff) are happy to welcome him to our city and we hope we have a great turnout for this unique presentation.” The evening’s entertainment is free of any charge. More information regarding this event or any other upcoming features or programs for adults, may be obtained by contacting Utman at: epladultprogrammer@southeast. lib.sk.ca or phone 306-636-1621.
less likely it is to come up,” said Roberts. Roberts said the early seeding could mean avoiding some insect and disease problems. “We’re starting to see a few diamond-backed moths in our traps down by Oxbow, but at this point, the levels are real low, so there’s no cause for alarm. Our entomologist in Regina does feel though, that because the season is as early as it is, we will see three generations of diamond-backed moth larvae this year.” That is a reality Roberts expects, unless the summer proves to be particularly hot or wet. Winter wheat is experiencing some powdery mildew issues, and Roberts said farmers should do some scouting for that in their fields. Thrips have also been showing up in the winter wheat, though not in high concentrations.
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