Stubble is usually all that’s left in Alberta fields this time of year. But about 40 per cent of Justin Bell’s 9,500 acres of wheat and canola crops east of Standard, Alta. are still standing. His combines are stationary.
“On a beautiful sunny day, you would have all six going,” Bell said. “There would be dust everywhere. The carts would be going. It would be nice.”
“The yields are great but if you can’t get it in the bin… It doesn’t do anything for you.”
After his earliest seeding ever, the season is dragging on. Days are getting shorter and the threat of snow is looming.
The problem is widespread.
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“It’s most of the province and a lot of Saskatchewan as well,” Kevin Bender, the vice chairman of the Alberta Wheat Commission, said. He farms near Sylvan Lake where less than half his crops are harvested.
“We’re probably one of the furthest behind here,” Bender said.
According to Alberta Agriculture and Forestry about 70 per cent of Alberta’s crops were harvested three weeks ago, but it’s been status quo since the first snow.
“The wet harvest season has been challenging for our farmers and, in many areas of the province, producers are concerned that they will not be able to harvest until spring,” Minister Oneil Carlier said in a statement Tuesday.
“Our government is committed to supporting our farm families and we take this issue seriously. That’s why our government has taken a proactive approach by providing Alberta producers with Business Risk Management programs through the Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC).”
But farmers suggest this type of crop insurance is difficult to claim.
“You’ll possibly get something but you’re far better off with your crop than to try to get any insurance, that’s for sure,” Bell said.
“We’d be better off if hail had wiped out the whole field.”
As the crops continue to sit, cold, wet weather is continuing to put a damper on grain quality.
“I expect the quality of our wheat is going to be down from where it was just because it’s been laying on the ground for a month under snow and rain and wet weather,” Bender said.
To make matters worse, the wet weather also takes a toll on machinery. So if rain, snow or fog isn’t holding up the process, it’s repairs to farm equipment.
There is hope for some improvement in the forecast for sunnier days.
“I’m hoping the forecast for this week comes true because if that happens everyone will be happy and there will be a lot of acres taken off in the next few days, that’s for sure.”