Dear Mother Nature,
As Manitobans, we have developed a deep appreciation for the change of seasons and the wide variety of conditions you throw our way. We consider ourselves hardy, tough and adaptive. Normally, we embrace each season, grateful for the opportunities our environment provides for agriculture.
But this year, sigh… you are wearing us down… You challenged us with the coldest and snowiest winter since 1898.
Eventually spring began a long drawn-out tug of war with winter. You lifted the shroud of white, slowly revealing stubble and soil in surrounding fields. Wisps of fog above any exposed patch of ground spoke to the power of the sun as it released the frost held captive for so long.
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Blocked back roads and snow fences re-emerged. Fields awakened as snowdrifts slowly dissipated. Robins, orioles and goldfinches decorated our backyards with colour and filled the air with song.
You could feel the collective sigh of relief as temperatures jumped to the plus side for more than two days in a row. Then jubilation as we hit double digits!
Yards brightened as flowers and gardens were planted. Striking shades of green contrasted against brilliant blue skies as grass, trees and hayfields came to life. You finally had spring take a stance and make its presence known.
As temperatures soared, conditions improved for many across the province to complete seeding. Unfortunately flooding and excessive rains wreaked havoc for others making it impossible to get their crops in the ground.
To top it off, you made conditions ideal for a population explosion of the small but mighty mosquito. They are here in swarms, forming clouds around us whenever we venture out the door. Checking fields, working on equipment or in our yards is a challenge unless gale-force winds are blowing.
Regarding all things green and growing, forest tent caterpillars are thriving equally as well as mosquitoes, draping our poor trees, stripping away the green and forming grey-black masses everywhere.
Sigh… And then the rain, which instead of being gentle and soaking, you are sending in deluges. Some fields have been transformed into lakes. Emerging crops are struggling to survive waterlogged conditions.
- From the editor of the Manitoba Co-operator: Difficult questions
Mother Nature, we are wondering what exactly is it that we as Manitobans have done to deserve your ire? We are friendly, easygoing, adaptable and rather accepting of what you throw our way. But is a happy medium not possible?
We really don’t mind our four seasons but an equal split among them would be appreciated — winter doesn’t need to dominate for six long months. And when you finally give us warm weather, does it have to be filled with continual trials and tribulations as we attempt to make a living in agriculture? And pests that drive us indoors and once again make us look longingly out our windows?
We were so excited and grateful for the opportunity of another growing season, but the optimism that spurred us on this spring is waning. We love our jobs in food production, we really do, but can you please curtail the challenges? We await your response.
In the meantime, perhaps overland boat tours, dragonfly farming and developing protein pellets from insect pests are worth considering…
Always looking for the silver lining, we remain yours,
The persistent and ever-hopeful farmers of Manitoba
