Agronomist Notes
Another week has passed and zero harvest progress has occurred with showers, cold weather and a heavy frost occurring last week. At the farm we had two nights of -3.3C which is now the 5th frost to occur in September for us. Thankfully the seven day forecast calls for warmer, drier weather starting this Wednesday.
I had a chance to drive to Regina from Three Hills last Friday to pick up a straight cut header we bought. I couldn’t believe the number of unseeded acres, standing water, weedy fields and lentils crops waiting to be harvested. Some producers have had up to 40 inches of rain with five inches in the last seven days. You can see Canada and snow geese everywhere and water lying in the spray tracks from desiccation. Here’s hoping the weather turns so they can at least take it off.
This week we’ll look at how to predict overnight frost at sunset. Next, we’ll discuss how winter annuals are taking hold this fall and how to control them. Next, I’ve got a brief story on allowing grain to mature naturally. Also, I’ve included a handy table to help you estimate the length of time you can store tough grain. I’ll follow up with preventing stored grain insects and some guidelines to drying grain naturally. I’ll finish with fundamental and technical grain market news.
| Harvest Progress | 2010 | 2009 |
| Winter wheat: | 20% | 100% |
| Spring wheat: | 1% | 95% |
| Canola: | 1% | 75% |
| Barley | 2% | 95% |
| Peas: | 20% | 100% |
Trying to predict overnight frost risk? Find out at sunset
The delay in harvest coupled with late maturing crops has left many producers concerned about frost. The threat of heavy frosts increase with every week we’re delayed in September. Understanding the relationship between dew point and air temperature can help you predict frost on your farm.
At the “dew point”, droplets of water form when air is cooled through the night. If temperatures drop below zero, frost will form. Near sunset each day, check your dew-point temperature in relation to air temperature. If a dew point reading of -2C is given while the air temperature is 12C, the overnight air temperature could reach -2C. If the dew point reads 5C while the air temperature is 6C, the potential for frost is less, despite a lower air temperature at sunset. Understanding dew point can help optimize results from pre-harvest herbicide applications and assist in monitoring potential grain-quality issues at harvest time.
Article by Weatherfarm and modified by SL
Winter annuals taking hold during wet fall
After scouting pre-harvest timing on cereals in the last ten days I’ve noticed a large number of winter annuals and simple perennials taking hold in fields. Dandelions, narrow-leaved hawks-beard, cleavers and foxtail barley begin germinating in late August and thrive in moist, undisturbed soil.
If you’ve had a problem with any of these weeds in the past, applying a post harvest application of straight glyphosate or Pre-Pass works really well if the weather allows. Aiming for 1L/acre equivalent will take care of the larger more established dandelions and foxtail barley but a 3/4L/ac rate equivalent of glyphosate will take care of the fall germinated cleavers, hawksbeard and flixweed.
I’m a huge proponent of applying post-harvest glyphosate to control winter-annuals because it almost always eliminates the need for a spring burn off. This allows us to seed right into the stubble next spring without having to wait for temperatures to cooperate. This is a wonderful option on the fields you plan to seed early like peas, lentils or any crop for that matter. If weeds are perky green with at least 60% of the leaf area green, apply glyphosate when the temperature warm up past 10C and not after a heavy frost -3C or greater.
Allowing grain to mature naturally builds yield
I came across a field of wheat just north of Regina on my way to pick up a straight cut header last Friday. After a wrong left turn I discovered a wheat field that caught my eye. What surprised me was the way this crop was maturing. It was a perfect example of what natural dry down looks like in wheat. The heads have turned colour, the kernels are medium to hard dough yet the bottom 90% of the plant is green and still producing carbohydrates.
In most fields you’ll see a green head and stem with brown ripe leaves. THIS IS NOT NORMAL. The reasons for early leaf senescence are many ranging for all sorts of biotic stresses, environmental and mechanical. In the future, remember this photo as the benchmark for what wheat should look like just before harvest. The longer you delay senescence and maintain a wheat plant that looks like this photo, the higher your yields will be. It’s that simple! SL
Preventing grain storage moulds
Some producers may be forced to store tough grain this year and with that, the risk of storage moulds and heated grain. Understanding how long you can store tough grain is key to reducing your risk. The length of time you can store grain before it spoils is dependent on moisture and temperature. The graph you see here gives an estimate of how much time you have to dry grain before it spoils, and how long you can maintain grain quality in storage.
Example 1. Grain is harvested at 18% moisture content and grain temperature is 21°C. How much time do you have before the grain spoils?
Answer. About 20-30 days
If the condition in the bin remains constant, the grain will drop one market grade in about 20-30 days, with the allowable storage time at 18% moisture content and 21°C.
Source: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/agdex4509
Stored Grain Insects Prevention
The first step in preventing bug infestations is to ensure bins are thoroughly cleaned before filling with grain. A typical hiding place for insects is in the space between the edge of the bin wall and the floor. These areas can be treated with a product like Malathion (not for canola storage) or diatomaceous earth before the bin is filled.
Since insect infestations usually begin at the top of the bin, some producers add diatomaceous earth to the last few loads that go into the bin. Diatomaceous earth kills insects by scraping away their protective waxy outer layer and causing them to dehydrate. The product does not deteriorate with time and will remain effective. Remember that diatomaceous earth is a preventative measure and not a curative.
The best solution if possible is to lower the grain temperature below 15C. At 15°C, stored grain insects will stop laying eggs and development stops. Aeration systems used during the night immediately after harvest should have the grain below 15°C in about 2 weeks.
Treatment Information
Detailed information about treatments for grain can be found in the Guide to Crop Protection on the Saskatchewan Agriculture website: http://www.agr.gov.sk.ca/docs/production/CropProtGuide2007_insect.pdf
You can also find information on preventing, monitoring and controlling stored grain insects at the Canadian Grain Commission website: http://www.grainscanada.gc.ca/entomology/control01-e.htm
DO NOT use malathion to treat bins destined to store canola as pesticide residues threaten marketing options. Refer to the following link for details: http://www.canola-council.org/pesticide_link2.html
Natural grain drying guidelines
Many producer will be looking at drying grain through natural aeration this fall. Unfortunately, the weather lately has been unsuitable but if conditions warm up, we will have the option of drying grain naturally. I’ve included some rules of thumb when it comes to estimating length to dry down.
Approximate drying under different conditions
Ideal warm days & dry conditions: 1% per day
Warm days & cool nights: 0.5% per day
Cool days & damp nights: 0.25% per day
Cold days & cold nights: 0% per day
Do not count the first day in the drying process as it takes 14-16 hours for the bin to equalize its temperature.
For the full article on grain drying tips click on: http://www.edwardsgroup.ca/edwards/tips.cfm
Market News
Fundamental News
| Wheat Production in Million Metric Tonnes | Ending Stocks 5-Year Avg | Sep Ending Stocks vs. 5-year Avg | ||||||
| Crop | Production | Ending Stocks | ||||||
| 2009-10 | Sep-10 | Change | 2009-10 | Sep-10 | Change | |||
| Rapeseed | 59.9 | 57.1 | -5% | 6.6 | 5.2 | -21% | 4.6 | 14% |
| Barley | 149.8 | 125.9 | -16% | 36.6 | 21.0 | -43% | 25.7 | -18% |
| Wheat | 643.0 | 643.0 | 0% | 196 | 177.7 | -9% | 138.6 | 28% |
| Corn | 810.9 | 826.0 | 2% | 139 | 135.5 | -2% | 125.9 | 8% |
| Soybeans | 259.8 | 254.8 | -2% | 62.8 | 63.6 | 1% | 54 | 18% |
Technical Analysis
Canola: November futures. The long and the short term trends are up.
HRS Wheat: December futures. The short and long term trends are up.
Corn: December futures. The short and the long term trends are up.
Soybeans: November futures. The short and the long term trends are up.
Crude Oil: August futures. The short term trend is up and the long term trend is down.
Canadian Dollar: September futures. The short and long term trend is down.
US Dollar: September futures. The short term trend is up and the long term trend is down.
