As longtime readers know, what we do each year first is
Review the one that’s just past, but in doggerel (bad verses)
A look back to review things is usually a good practice gainful
But this year it’s one that feels kind of painful
Ups and downs for farmers here seem only a piffle
Compared to those in Ukraine dodging bombs, drones and missiles
Or to those in Ethiopia and Somalia in their fourth year of drought
And in Pakistan where tens of thousands are still bailing out
So while some things here might need measures corrective
Let’s all try to relax, and put things in perspective
After spending the summer of 2021 asking rain gods to be chosen
Manitoba farmers finally got precipitation, except it was all frozen
Future grandparents will be telling kids, “Why,
“Back in twenty-one-twenty-two, the drifts were sooo… high”
Then it all melted and for a while farmers thought they’d have troubles
To meet insurance deadlines an air seeder would have to blow bubbles
But after avoiding some wet spots and maybe not spraying precisely
Most ended up with a crop that finally turned out quite nicely
I have a vested interest in farm newspapers, so maybe I’m just bitter
But I think some farmers are getting too much news from Twitter
Some tweets claim the government’s plans for the crop-growing sector
Are to restrict application of ammonia to three grams per hectare
But there doesn’t seem to be any reason for the furore
In fact the feds are even offering money to practice fertility 4R
Just about every agronomist says that’s what farmers should be doin’
So maybe it’s time to calm down and do a little less stewin’
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Farming still has digital walls to scale
Canadian farms still face the same obstacles to adopting digital agriculture technology, despite the years industry and policy makers have had to break them down.
Though some say it’s a bit hard to define it precisely
A trend called “regenerative agriculture” seems to be catching on nicely
It’s based on the theory that whether conditions are drier or wetter
If you’ve stored more soil carbon, things will always work out better
But it seems that over the long term if you want carbon storage
Sooner or later your rotation will have to include forage
That’s not just good for the soil, it helps stem the persistence
Of weeds that are showing multiple-herbicide resistance
But if more forage means less annual crop with herbicide to weed, it
Also means we’ll need more cows, steers and heifers to eat it
Based on last year’s ag census, and what I hear in the coffee shop
The number of those who want to chase cattle continues to drop
Now age 55 seems younger each year, at least as I see it
But the ag census reported that 60 per cent of farmers exceed it
Who’s going to take over from them? Many farm kids must be guessin’
The census said only 12 per cent of farms have a plan for succession
For a while the decision to buy land made you look like a hero
But that was while interest rates were almost at zero
They may be trying to hide it, but I think on sellers’ faces I sees
A bit of a smile now they’ve invested their returns in five per cent GICs
And whether you’re a buyer or seller, you’re getting an education
In the problems of having to deal with inflation
Whether it was lettuce at the grocery store or a new tractor tire
The prices last year were going nowhere but higher
And even if you decide to make a deposit and sign with a hand quivery
Because of supply chain disruption it will take two years for delivery
So much for the past — knowing the future for prices is critical
So I took an online course on how to sound grain market analytical
“Sell into a rising market,” it suggested, though I’m still trying to seek
Whether that means selling after it’s risen for a day or a week
“Don’t be afraid to take a profit,” was another, but what they don’t say
Is how to stop kicking yourself when the market’s up again the next day
“Watch what the futures market is telling you” is another suggestion
Except don’t futures just indicate a 50-50 chance of changing direction?
Then there’s “Sell in increments,” which might be sensible advice
But it’s just a fancy way of saying “Just shoot for an average price”
So I guess I can’t say for sure what the future for prices has in store
Except it would be nice to have them stay high without having a war
But after examining the turkey’s innards, and the moss on the tree
The future of weather I’m more able to see
There will be no more blizzards this winter, but enough snow for skiing
It will be gone by mid-April, having left enough moisture for seeding
After that, I’m sure that what the gizzard is saying
Is regular rainfall, but with short breaks for spraying and haying
Around the beginning of August the moisture will stop
Giving you a few weeks to harvest your best-ever crop
That’s it till next year, so from all of us here
We wish you good crops and good prices, and a Happy New Year!
