Crop planning for 2009 all starts with the soil
Wheat harvest has started in many areas across southwest Ontario this past week and it looks as if the intermittent rains may drag it out for a while. Early reports from Peter Johnson, a crop specialist at the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs suggest that yields at least so far, are disappointing. These periodic rains are making it difficult for combining to really get rolling in any meaningful way. Some farmers may have to combine their wheat much wetter than they would have liked and have it dried at the local elevator for fear of fusarium developing which would affect the quality. While farmers try to work around the weather during wheat harvest, they are also already starting to think about next years crop planning.
Record high fertilizer prices will push farmers to the limit in trying to grow profitable crops in 2009. Many experts agree one of the most fundamental ways in making better agronomic, economic and environmental farm practice decisions is a having a good understanding of your soils nutrient values. So many farmers have adopted a site-specific soil sampling program is an investment toward the long-term management and stewardship of their farm. This investment will only become an expense without continuous and regular monitoring and follow up. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs recommends soil nutrient values are to be tested every 3 years.
Once farmers have the soil tests back they are better able to accurately understand the specific nutrient requirements for a particular field, which will help them determine crop selection and fertility requirements. This information proves to be very valuable in assisting them with crop planning and budgeting for capital the following year. So while wheat harvest is just nicely underway, farmers are already planning for the 2009 crop year and it all starts with the soil!
