Is this late spring a disaster in the making or simply a springtime blip that will be overshadowed by other growing season events?
There’s little doubt that we’re looking at a late start to seeding over most, if not all, of Western Canada. Southern Alberta and the extreme southwestern corner of Saskatchewan have little snow, but the rest of the prairie region is white.
Crocuses are often pushing out of the prairie by mid-April. This year, they’re still sleeping under a blanket of snow.
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Temperatures have remained far below normal. The sun has some power and the snow pack has settled, but breakup won’t be until the last couple weeks of April at the earliest for most regions.
A slow melt is desirable to avoid flooding, but the melt to date has been minimal. As we move later into the spring, there’s an increasing probability of temperatures that will produce rapid melting.
Spring farm auctions are looking like snowy and mucky affairs. Sale season has gradually moved earlier to accommodate a large number of auctions before everyone is busy in the field. This spring, lots of equipment for the early sales will need to be extricated from snow banks. Air drills in particular tend to become buried.
Cow-calf producers have been feeding for a long time. Snow came early and has stayed late. New grass is still some time away. Hay supplies that seemed abundant are starting to dwindle.
How much will seeding be delayed? Goodness knows, but for most producers the starting date will likely be at least one to two weeks later than normal. This assumes a move to seasonal temperatures and no major precipitation events.
By itself, getting into the field one or two weeks late wouldn’t be a disaster. With good weather, seeding might still be completed in a timely manner. However, all bets are off if the weather doesn’t co-operate.
How much moisture will soak into the ground? How much flooding will there be? How much rain and/or snow will be added to the water from the snow melt?
We can’t control the weather, and early weather concerns often prove to be overblown. Still, it may be time to start making contingency plans.
Is there a friend, relative, retired farmer or high school student that could provide a bit of extra labour? Any time savings can add up, even if it’s just someone who can run for fuel or help move equipment.
If you’ve planned to grow longer season crops, do you have alternates if seeding runs late? Will seed be available if you need it?
Product shortages could be more common with a condensed seeding season. Getting seed, fertilizer, herbicides, seed treatments and inoculants through the distribution network on time is always a logistical challenge. This spring, having the products you need on the farm could be particularly valuable.
Energy market analysts warn that Western Canada’s diesel supply has not kept up with consumption. Spot shortages are expected to occur with increased frequency. Unfortunately, the infrastructure is not designed to bring diesel fuel into the region when there are problems.
Spot shortages have occurred in the past, but they’ve never hit in the midst of seeding or harvest. Perhaps more on-farm fuel storage would be a good insurance policy.
Be as ready as you can to hit the field as early as you can. And hope the weather starts co-operating.
