It has been a tale of two falls!! We had a beautiful warm and sunny September and early October, which certainly was important to get this year’s slow developing crops close to the finish line. This nice weather also allowed for a nice bit of soybean and corn silage harvest to take place. Then on Thanksgiving weekend it rained and rained, and hasn’t really let up that much since. There have been some small one or two day windows to do some harvest, but it has certainly been a battle. Speaking with a few people from Bruce County to Simcoe County, I would estimate that harvest progress is similar across most of the region. As of early November, there is probably 10-20% of beans remaining, with hardly any grain corn off yet. If you still have crops in the fields, I know it is certainly not a great feeling, but try and remember you are not alone. There are plenty of people in the same situation. And as the work and stress starts to accumulate later into the season, remember to not get complacent around farm safety.

As you read through this version of the Georgian Central newsletter, please take the time to read all of the reports and plot data that has been gathered. Thank you to everyone that contributed, it is a great learning tool to have first hand data from our own region.

As we approach the winter months, I encourage you all to attend some of the events offered by Soil and Crop and other ag organizations. Whether it be your county AGM and winter meeting, or some larger events such as Grey Bruce Farmers’ Week or the Ontario Ag Conference, you are sure to learn something new that you can apply to your own farm.

Take care, and good luck with the rest of harvest season!!

Brandon Dietrich, Georgian SCIA President.

Cell: 226-668-1696