By Sheila Phibbs
The Haldimand Press
HALDIMAND—Farming is a business that faces many challenges, but there are few greater than the weather. From a wet fall in 2021, to a wet June this year that was followed by a stretch of heat and humidity with little rain through the remainder of summer, the weather has once again been a cause of concern for farmers, their crops, and their livestock.
According to Allan Hedley of Hedley Seeds Ltd. in Canfield, corn and soybean crops that were planted in time in May have had a generally good growing season. However, he says, “Heavy rain in early June forced some later June plantings that struggled most of the summer.”
Hedley suggests that most of the county had good rainfalls later in July and throughout August, which helped with both corn cob and soybean pod development and fill. He acknowledges, “The exception is the north end of the county where rain has been scarce.”
Hedley notes that this year’s wheat harvest was short, with yields that were average to below average. This was caused by a wetter-than-normal fall in 2021 as it reduced the overall acreage of wheat. The shortened wheat harvest is felt not only by grain growers but by farmers with livestock. Bob Phibbs raises Limousin beef cattle in Hagersville. He says, “Straw is scarce due to the lack of wheat this year.”
This year’s first cut of hay was also affected by the weather as he says, “The wet spring killed out a lot of alfalfa. First cut wasn’t as plentiful as normal and not as good a quality for livestock.” According to Phibbs, other areas in the province have larger amounts of hay than what is in Haldimand this season. He was fortunate to have a surplus from last year as he says, “It’s always money in the bank if you have some bales left over.”
Phibbs speculates that corn may be what suffers this year due to the challenge of getting fertilizer combined with the dry weather. He says, “You won’t know until you harvest how good it will be. It’s a big investment with a lot of unknowns.”
He believes, however, that soybeans have tolerated the hot weather, noting that the fields are looking better than earlier in the summer. He says the beans got well-rooted in July and so far there haven’t been issues with spider mites or aphids.
As a cattleman, Phibbs is always aware of how the weather affects livestock. He says, “The drastic change in temperatures from day to day isn’t good for the crops or the cattle.” The hot, dry weather has meant a lack of pasture for half of the summer. Sorghum and grass hay are crop chopped as forage for the cows.
Monitoring the warm weather is also critical at Huitema Egg Farm in Dunnville as well. Charlotte Huitema shares that their hens are fed electrolytes when a heat wave is approaching. The electrolytes go through the water lines, allowing the hens full access at all times.
Huitema says, “Electrolyte drinks do basically the same for poultry as they do for humans. They help to rehydrate and re-balance the cells and organs whenever chickens need it…. This helps to optimize production and health during hot weather while probiotics help beneficial bacteria grow quickly in the digestive tract and aid in digestive health.”
While it can be said that every year is different, when it comes to farming, the weather is always a factor. Generations of farmers have faced and endured the challenges of Mother Nature with unwavering resolve. It is that determination that ensures the seeds are sown, the livestock are tended to, the harvests are reaped, and we are all fed.
