Harvest Report

Combining Yellow Peas followed by the baler. Cows love pea straw..

Finally finished combining in late October!  Quality of the Yellow Peas and Red Spring Wheat are very good considering the summer, but the yield was low.  The summer weather was a challenge:
1.  The spring was very dry with only 0.3 inches of rain in May and 0.75 inches of rain late in June.  Germination was not even and some plants got a late start.
2. Finally, during the latter half of July, there was a reprieve with 2.5 inches of rain. :)
3. Late in August (harvest time for peas), the rains came.  :(
4.  From late August on, harvest was a challenge with less than ideal weather conditions and numerous equipment break downs.

The summer DID, however, bring some blessings:

1.   An infestation of the Painted Lady Butterfly caterpillars that had an insatiable appetite for Canada Thistles almost destroying them.

2. Over the years, the weeds here have changed to “softer” varieties like lambs quarter and grasses, but these are still weeds that compromise the yield.  On the bright side, the weed changes means the soil nutrient program is working.

3. The guardians are still here!

For 2020, it is back to the drawing board with more research to increase yields while maintaining quality!  Never Give Up!!

We now have a diversified team with two new members  :)