Explore every episode of the podcast Harvest USA Report

Glen Jones from Greenfield, Iowa discusses experiencing an unusually high amount of snowfall in December, impacting the completion of harvests. A good week of weather is anticipated, which should allow farmers with unfinished harvests due to equipment issues to complete their work.

Glen confirms that harvest in the area is mostly corn, with no soybeans or swathing. Discussions include weather patterns like Chinooks affecting snow melting, affecting road and school bus conditions, causing mud splattering and window visibility issues.

Overview of the Cotton Harvest in Floydada, Texas: The conversation involves a discussion with Slick Sanders, a farmer from Floydada, Texas, about the state of agriculture in his area. The milo, corn, and cotton harvests have been completed, with ginning (the process of separating cotton fibers from seeds) still ongoing. Sanders is involved in transporting cotton seeds from gins to oil mills, where the seeds are processed to extract oil and create products like cottonseed meal, which is used as a protein supplement for cattle.

- Dave Hermesch, located southeast of Tulsa, discusses the completion of his harvest, which finished before Thanksgiving, except for some cover crop planting interrupted by a mechanical issue. The conversation highlights the challenges and timelines of harvesting, contrasting his earlier finishes with those in colder regions like South Dakota facing snow delays.

- The host shares a personal anecdote from his university days in Alberta, Canada, where he was surprised to learn that spring harvesting is common in certain areas due to snow, portraying geographical variations in agricultural practices.

- Discussion touches on harvesting conditions in Alberta, where snow on roads can delay the process until spring. Surprisingly, yield loss due to rodents was not a reported issue despite these delays.

- The dialogue concludes with the host needing to leave to assist his wife with preparations for a family event, ending on a jovial note about maintaining household harmony, embodying the age-old advice of keeping the peace at home for personal happiness.

Shorty Kulhanek, custom harvester from Colby, Kansas is working in Gettysburg, South Dakota and is experiencing challenges with the corn harvest due to late planting and wet conditions that have been exacerbated by an unseasonable snowfall. Despite some improvements due to warmer weather melting the snow, the moisture content of the corn remains high at 18-18.5%, which exceeds the limit for storage by local processing facilities. As a result, storage options are limited, and Shorty is working with two machines to harvest the remaining 1,100 acres for one farmer and an additional 400-500 acres for another.

Weather and Equipment: A chinook wind has recently helped clear snow from the region, although South Dakota's distance from the mountains reduces its impact. The unavailability of storage and dryers adds to the harvesting difficulties. Shorty uses 12-row headers on his machines. While his equipment, namely gleaner combines, has been performing well, he still faces a significant workload. Hale Broadcasting, the interviewer, extends good wishes and prayers for favorable weather and effective harvest processing conditions.

 Andrew Torsius from Torsius Tater Farms in Grassy Lake, Alberta, discusses the evolution in their potato processing methods, highlighting a shift from dry grading to washing. Initially, potatoes were taken directly from storage for shipment, with the factory handling washing. Over the past 15 years, the farm has adopted washing to reduce transportation costs and manage plant water quality issues in Calgary and Lethbridge by minimizing dirt and mud challenges.

- **Environmental and Operational Concerns**: The discussion touches on the environmental concerns regarding industrial waste affecting municipal sewage systems, specifically the problem of silt and mud from potato washing. To manage waste, Torsius implements a system using settling trenches and pits to clean and recycle water, maintaining efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

- **Logistics and Economics of Potato Processing**: The conversation covers the timeline and resources involved in processing, with around 1,000 tons requiring a week to ten days to wash, depending on factory orders. Comparing the costs and logistics of washing versus dry grading, it is noted that washing is slower and might necessitate specific conditions, but dry grading can be done faster. Staff requirements remain similar for both processes.

- **Miscellaneous Discussions**: Other topics include logistical details about equipment used in operations, with conversation briefly mentioning ropes and tarp handling for transportation. Additionally, there are remarks about the quality of red potatoes used for French fries.

The conversation discusses the impact of a significant snowstorm on agricultural activities in the Canada and Valley City region. Heavy snowfall has delayed corn harvesting, and previous storm damage has affected soybean crops, highlighting ongoing challenges for farmers. The discussion also touches on how unexpected weather patterns have disrupted typical farming operations and logistics. Conditions like sticky wet snow present difficulties in machinery operations, such as freezing in grain combines and impacts on grain carts' efficiency.

Discussants commented on the challenges of storing harvested corn, especially with moisture levels between 21-25%, which forced farmers to use grain bags as a temporary solution due to damaged infrastructure and limited capacity at grain elevators. This was exacerbated by previous storm damage causing widespread destruction to equipment and storage facilities. Moreover, there's a scarcity of dryers, further complicating the harvesting process.

The conversation also touched on personal anecdotes and challenges, such as frozen vehicle doors and the use of a crowbar to access a bus. Discussions about regional weather variations highlighted diverse snow impacts across locations, causing logistical and operational dilemmas for travel and continuous work. The talk concluded with implications of these challenges for future planning and potential systemic adjustments in farming practices.

The interview demonstrates an in-depth understanding of farm operations, challenges faced, and strategic choices made to enhance productivity and manage resources effectively at Jensen Farms.

• Farm Operations and Crop Types: Jensen Farms, located in Finn Castle, covers approximately 5,000 acres and cultivates a variety of crops including potatoes, sugar beets, canola, silage corn, grain corn, and wheat. Previously involved in sweet corn production, the farm discontinued it due to labor intensity and logistical challenges associated with direct sales and distribution.

• Crop Performance and Management: The farm has observed favorable yields this year across its various crops. Silage corn yields were reported to be around 25 tons per acre, contributing positively to local feedlots despite logistic complexities. Roundup-resistant corn has helped manage weed control efficiently. Grain corn yields surpassed regional averages, performing at approximately 180 bushels per acre. Canola yields were good, with a preference for swathing to aid uniform drying. The management strategy also involves selecting varieties for shell resistance due to local wind conditions.

• Sugar Beets and Wheat Production: Sugar beets yielded around 38 tons per acre this year, above the average yield of 30 tons. Sugar content was lower than the factory average, illustrating a trade-off between yield and sugar concentration. Wheat yields were slightly above average with different varieties cultivated, such as hard red spring and durum wheat. Straight cutting is preferred for wheat harvesting as it offers faster operations, utilizing a 45-foot header combine.

• Potato Cultivation and Soil Management: Potato yields were considered satisfactory, typically ranging from 16 to 20 tons per acre. Early potatoes yield less than those harvested later, emphasizing the importance of timing in harvest operations for better yields. Efforts to prevent wind erosion include post-harvest cover crops like oats. Land characteristics vary from sandy to heavier soils, with measures in place to handle soil differences, such as speed discing with oats for ground leveling.

• Interview Background: The interviewee highlighted their background from Montana, indicating familiarity with diverse soil types similar to those they manage at Jensen Farms. The conversation reflects a well-rounded approach to crop management, adapting to local environmental conditions and market demands.

Join our host David Woodruff as he interviews retired custom harvester Dave Hermesch.