How was your summer? Did you get those bumper crops you planned for this spring?
We, at the CLC, achieved surprizingly good crops for the moisture received. Spring sub-soil moisture conditions were excellent, but the surface moisture quickly disappeared with hot late May weather. Then, we didn't get significant rainfall until mid-June, when 1.25 inches fell over a four day period. It was the end of July before any more fell and it continued to rain throughout August. In what was essentially drought conditions, the roots really had to work - this, relatively cool conditions, and August rains saved the crops in this area. Although the flax has not yet been harvested at the time of writing this article, other field-scale crops at the CLC yielded 33 bpa (Teal HRSW), 25 bpa (Highlight yellow peas), 47 bpa (B1215 Barley), and 50 bpa (Biggar CPS wheat).
Due to drought conditions, many of the forage projects seeded this year have had a real struggle getting started - not at all like the easy establishment of '93 and '94! However, they are looking much better after the late summer rainfall. In one experiment, it certainly is obvious where a companion crop was used or not. There was significantly poorer emergence where seeded with a companion crop.
This was also not an ideal year for tree-planting, but the trees planted last year are starting to become more obvious - a little taller and a little greener. We really look forward to the look of the tree projects in just another 3-4 years.
We've also seen some accomplishments in our equipment lineup here over the summer. Thanks to some federal help, we now have more grain storage space and a small tractor with a 3 pt. hitch mower. We also invested in a 25' sprayer, a grain truck, and fuel tanks. We are very thankful for a couple of generous equipment donations. Westfield donated a 41' auger and one of our past SSCA presidents, Gerry Willerth, donated a slightly used Massey combine! You can be sure that in future issues of the Prairie Steward, we will let you know of other items which we may ask for your leads on. At present, we are discussing options for seeding implements for the future. These are some of the things which we are finding make the operation of the farm just a little more efficient.
Field tour season was busy. We decided to spread the weather risk by having several smaller tours, many with a specific focus topic, such as wildlife, forages, or special crops and pests. This approach was very successful, as we were able to have good interaction between the resource people and the producers on the hay racks as we travelled from project to project. The school program is continuing to bring in some of the younger learners - we expect to have 25 school groups visit the CLC in 1995. The program provides a great opportunity to use Project SOILS, an activity-based teachers' resource developed by SSCA staff three years ago.
This has given you a brief overview of the general impressions of the CLC summer. Many of the results of our projects will be described in upcoming issues of the Prairie Steward. Don't forget to continue passing on your ideas for demonstrations and for research projects that you would like to see at the CLC - that's what the CLC is for!