Harvest completed for most farmers in southeastern Alberta

“To put that in perspective, on the dry land we were right around 35 to 36 bushels per acre,” she added.

“We can see the incredible role that irrigation plays in our region to increase production on our acres.”

Neubauer said they had some issue with the durum wheat falling over, restricting their ability to provide additional irrigation to it.

So even with the great yield, it could have been even better.

She adds a few farmers in the area have still been battling the weather of late to get their crops off.

“We’ve had lots of precipitation, so there still are some peas, beans, and lentils in our region here to bring in, but for the most part, cereals, canola, all of that is finished,” Neubauer said.

With the crops off the ground for the Neubauers and in the bins, they are focussed on planning for next years crop and making sure the necessary maintenance is done on their equipment.

“All of the equipment is in at the mechanics having a look. Semis are getting new tires and just having mechanics look over the combine. The tractor behind me is going to be going in,” Neubauer said.

“In our operation, we like to look after all of our maintenance ahead of the winter, and then that way, when spring comes, we’re not tied down doing a bunch of maintenance and repairs,” she added.

“Sourcing parts can sometimes be a challenge, and so it gives us lots of opportunity for our dealerships to find parts to replace on equipment that may be necessary, and then that way, we can just hit the ground running as soon as the conditions are right in the spring.”

Hauling in grain from their bins when quotas open up at the grain elevators and terminals is another task undertaken over the winter months.

The Neubauers will also keep busy tending to their small flock of hens which produce eggs for them, and their livestock which are brought in from the community pastures the first week of October.

“So there’s roundup and sorting, loading, and then just getting the calves across the finish line. We sell our calves towards the end of October, so that’s kind of right in the middle of the calf run,” Neubauer said.

“The big piece now is just to make sure that everybody stays healthy, and we keep them on feed to optimize their growth so that we have a healthy animal that we can market to the feeders in the fall.”

Neubauer said that with workers at six grain terminals in Metro Vancouver now on strike, it also creates concerns for producers.

“Those services are absolutely essential to agriculture, and we are a food-producing nation, we grow far more food than we need domestically, and it’s very alarming, and very concerning,” Neubauer said.

“It actually compounds the effect of already very weak commodity prices, and now not being able to ship our product is devastating,” she added.

“It’s definitely a result of the increased cost of living, and inflation, and all of the burdens that people are bearing financially, they’re just in a position where they can’t keep up, so I do feel empathy for Canadians as a whole.”

Neubauer adds that to hamstring one of the countries keystone industries with continued strike action is unacceptable.

“I would expect more from leadership, and a lot more serious investment from government to help manage these issues,” Neubauer said.

“Be proactive, so that we’re not constantly in a place where we’re not able to deliver the products we’ve promised to people around the world.”

Neubauer said the recent precipitation has helped with the moisture levels in the soil, which should hold as ground frost and run off in the spring.

A good snow pack would also be welcomed, but there is already optimism.

“Essentially right now, we have enough moisture in the soil to probably germinate crops in the spring, so looking forward with a lot more optimism this year than we have in years previous,” Neubauer said.

Neubauer is also a driving force behind the Irvine School Agriculture Discovery Center at Irvine School, a farm right on the playground that’s managed by the students.

“An opportunity for kids to gain a first-hand understanding of the food production cycle and what it takes to get food on our plates,” Neubauer said.

The group marketed a pair of steers last week that had been raised at the school. Both of the cattle weighing over 1,400 pounds and sold at about $3,000 over market value.

Another auction where small livestock was sold raised about $9,200.

“We are close to $20,000 in our fundraising goal this year, so wonderful thanks and support of community,” Neubauer said.

“The support of that program is made possible thanks to the investment our community continues to make, and we are so grateful that people are stepping up to allow us to do our good work.”

Neubauer added that in spite of all the challenges in agriculture, producers are incredibly resilient, and if given opportunities to have decent weather, it’s truly remarkable what can be grown in this region.

by Jesse Gill

Harvest completed for most farmers in southeastern Alberta

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