Harvest USA Report

Sarah Nicholson from Sayre, Oklahoma, discusses the agricultural conditions in her area with Hale Broadcasting. The region is experiencing hot and dry weather, which affects crop production negatively, notably for cotton. Rain has been insufficient, and as a result, much of the cotton will not be harvested or "stripped" because the yield is too poor due to the lack of necessary rainfall. Harvest typically begins in mid-October, but this season’s conditions mean many fields will be left, and yields will be significantly lower than usual.
Nicholson also explains the metrics used for measuring yield in cotton farming, which typically involves understanding the number of bales per acre rather than pounds. Standard predictions for cotton yield involve one bale per acre for dry land and three to four bales for irrigated land, although this year’s unfavorable weather limits these yields. She discusses the weight of bales, noting that large round bales used in their operations can weigh between 4,500 to 5,000 pounds.
Furthermore, Nicholson highlights their approach to crop rotation and land management. They coordinate cotton and wheat planting, using specially designed equipment to interseed wheat among the cotton rows. This method, although dependent on rain, allows for a seamless transition between crops, ensuring wheat pasture availability post-cotton harvest. The process, however, relies heavily on the timing and occurrence of rains, which have been unpredictable and scarce this season.
Sarah describes their agricultural setup, mentioning that their farms comprise large fields, often 160 acres (quarter sections) or more, indicating the scale of their operations. Despite the challenges, their innovative farming techniques aim to maximize output and efficiency, maintaining sustainability within large-scale agriculture.

Harvest Progress and Challenges: Michael Torrie from Grassy Lake, Alberta, shares updates on his farm's harvest progress with David Woodruff of Hale Broadcasting. About two-thirds of the harvest is complete, with wheat and lentils finished. However, canola, dry beans, and corn are yet to be harvested. Disease affected wheat quality, with some durum wheat grading no better than number three due to rain impact. Rain challenges were also noted for dry beans and canola, but specific strategies like swathing helped manage wet conditions.
Crop Yields and Fungicide Use: The winter wheat yield was excellent, averaging at 100 bushels per acre. Disease caused by rain affected durum yields, resulting in a potential crop insurance claim due to a 40% yield loss in affected areas. Rust and molds necessitated multiple fungicide applications, although Michael believes timing could have been improved to reduce damage.
Equipment and Harvesting Techniques: Straight cutting was used for most winter wheat while swathing was necessary for others. The use of specialized machinery like picket combines has become popular for dry beans, reducing dirt contamination and dockage. Michael notes these combines are not typically used for soybeans; they originally were designed for peanuts but work well for beans.
Crop Rotation and Seed Processing: Michael grows seed canola and faces volunteer issues from past varieties, which could lead to genetic contamination though roguing crews help mitigate this. Seed companies allocate different varieties among farms to manage cross-contamination risks. The farm strategy remains to grow either all seed or all commercial canola to prevent crop contamination.
Future Plans and Market Considerations: There are plans to use growth regulators on winter wheat to reduce lodging and increase yield. Michael discusses local markets for their grain corn, which is destined for a nearby feedlot, and mentions the option of expanding grain corn production due to market demand in Southern Alberta. Distilleries might also be a market for corn.
Overall, Michael's farm faces typical agricultural challenges with weather and disease, but employs various strategies—from machinery choice to crop rotation—to manage these effectively.

**Sugar Beet Pre-Harvest:** The pre-harvest for sugar beets continues, aiming to manage root temperature around 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Farmers are collecting around one to one and a half tons per contract acre every ten days. The dry weather is affecting the potential weight gain of the beets, which could impact the sugar content negatively if it were to rain significantly and increase tonnage.
**Weather Concerns:** Discussion touched on the challenges farmers face with the unpredictability of weather, expressing a resigned acknowledgment that while weather conditions impact crop yield and quality, they remain beyond control. 

**Soybean Harvest:** Farmers in Wahpeton, North Dakota, are preparing for the soybean harvest as the crops appear to be close to maturity. Some neighbors have already started harvesting early varieties. However, due to difficulty in visually assessing readiness, there is debate about whether to begin using combines for harvesting that day. 
**Weather Impact:** Recent weather patterns have been variable, with significant rain and storms occurring approximately 30 miles east, while the immediate area remains dry. Concerns were raised about drought conditions affecting the crops, as evidenced by cracked ground and dry grass.

J.C. Schemper from Schemper Harvesting in Holdridge, Nebraska, discusses closing the wheat harvest season and preparing for corn harvest. Machines are heading south, and Schemper expects to start corn harvest by the 15th of the month. Transitioning involves cleaning combines of wheat residues, attaching corn heads, changing tires, and maintaining equipment, noting the challenges of wheat harvesting in the southern regions compared to more favorable northern conditions.
Schemper details the importance of gauge wheels and tire adjustments for stability and minimizing damage during harvest. He describes the use of wider headers in wheat harvest and the transition to narrower setups for corn, emphasizing the necessity of robust and adaptable machinery.
They run primarily green and yellow equipment with discussions about gear adjustments for big headers that can reach up to 61 feet. Schemper highlights practices such as straddling rows to prevent tire damage and using dual wheels for better field maneuverability.

Glenn Jones, a farmer from Greenfield, Iowa, detailed his current agricultural activities, focusing on the challenges and planning involved in mid-harvest. After harvesting wheat in Oklahoma and Southern Kansas, Jones returned to Iowa early due to drought conditions, bringing only one combine. He anticipates commencing the local corn and bean harvest in about three weeks and is currently occupied with tasks like cleaning out a bin of beans and chopping silage.
Jones highlighted the impact of extreme weather conditions, including high temperatures and humidity, on agricultural and everyday activities. He attended the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, despite the oppressive heat and humidity. The persistent high temperatures and dew points have been unusual, making outdoor work unbearable. Despite the high humidity possibly benefiting crops by reducing moisture loss, the lack of cooler nights has been problematic.
The conversation touched on widespread weather-related challenges faced by farmers in other regions, such as South Dakota, where drought has seriously impacted corn crops. Weather fluctuations, such as heavy rains leading to potential flooding and dry spells causing crop insurance claims, complicate farming decisions. The discussion included the need for possible crop reallocation depending on weather forecasts and market conditions, with potential shifts from corn to wheat planting.