What's going on in the field

Combines continue to roll on the last of the fields that still have crop on them. The grain is being stored in bins or bags, or is being hauled off the combine to the elevator. But just because harvest is over doesn't mean that it’s not still busy on the farm - there are still weeks of field work left. This can include straw management in preparation for next year’s crop, which can mean a light harrowing of the straw in order to spread it more evenly on the field, especially after growing a heavy cereal crop. Farmers can also use this time to get soil sampling done, where they will test their soil for nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur, and other soil properties such as organic matter. Knowing what their nutrient levels are like in the fall will better help them formulate their fertilizer plans over the winter. Some farmers may apply fertilizer in the fall (once the soil temperatures cool down) in order to save time during seeding next spring. Some farmers may also apply herbicides at this time of the year as well, depending on the type of weeds they see in the field. Winter annual weeds, such as narrow-leaved hawk’s beard or cleavers, and simple perennials, like dandelion, can be more effectively controlled in the fall as the herbicides work better with the biology of these plants as they prepare for over-wintering.

Farmer’s Focus: Insights for the Weeks Ahead

From now until freeze-up, farmers will be focused on getting any field work done that they can - whatever can be completed in the fall is one less task off their list during the always busy springtime. Equipment will also be tended to, with combines and harvest machinery cleaned, washed and tucked away for another year. Grain will continue to be marketed and moved throughout the fall and winter, with bins being regularly inspected for signs of heating or insect infestations (such as rusty grain beetles). Bales will be hauled back to the yard in preparation for winter livestock feeding. And as the day length grows noticeably shorter, hopefully there’s still time to get in that last round of golf or day of fishing - to breathe in that fresh fall air and take a moment to absorb the beautiful autumn colours - before the snow falls on another completed crop year.

Author

Jennifer Bogdan

Agronomist

Bridge to Land Water Sky Living Lab