Camera Clicks and Commentary from a Kansas Farm Wife
Monday, February 29, 2016
Into Each Life, Some Rain Must Fall
"Into each life, some rain must fall." So sang Ella Fitzgerald and The Ink Spots back in 1944.
Could we please have ours now? Our wheat could use a healthy drink of water.
Randy thinks the 2016 wheat crop looks good, but it definitely could use a rain. However, unlike California and other western climes, none of Kansas is currently on the U.S. Drought Monitor. That's good news for us.
Still, with all the warm temperatures and the strong winds that have intermittently appeared during the last few weeks, we could definitely use some rainfall as we move closer to Harvest 2016.
There's an additional concern with the warm temperatures. If it stays warm for an extended period of time, the wheat crop could break dormancy and start to grow, which would make it
vulnerable to a late freeze if a cold snap hits in late March or early April, as it so
often does.
Wheat at the golden hour
That's a whole lot of "ifs," isn't it? As Randy is fond of saying, "There's a long time until harvest."
But the wheat fields sure looked pretty during the golden hour ...
You have to have nerves of steel to be a farmer. The weather can be so cruel. Our summer rains are the poorest in years and like you, we are experiencing strong winds that are sucking the moisture from the soil. Fingers crossed for you that just the right amount falls.
Kim, Sounds like you are facing similar weather issues as we are. It's been warm enough that things are starting to green up. The lilac in front of the house is starting to bud and we have seen several robins.
Today it was in the low 20's and we got several inches of wet snow. They are talking temps in the 40's-50's the rest of the week. Crazy?
I hope you get the timely rains you need and the temperatures are favorable for the cops. Good Luck as you continue calving.
I saw your photos of snow on Facebook. We haven't had enough snow for me to break in the new boots I bought this winter. At this point, we'd rather have rain than snow. Not picky, are we?
As we so often say to each other - these photos of your wheat crop could be taken here at my place in Australia. Even the high voltage powerline running through the paddock!
We all rely so much on rainfall don't we. Here's hoping that you get yours, sooner rather than later.
I hope you get the rain I hope everyone who is waiting gets the rain. It is tough to rely on weather. Take care Hugs B
ReplyDeleteThanks, B! Weather is just one of the many things we can't control. Have a great week!
DeleteYou have to have nerves of steel to be a farmer. The weather can be so cruel.
ReplyDeleteOur summer rains are the poorest in years and like you, we are experiencing strong winds that are sucking the moisture from the soil. Fingers crossed for you that just the right amount falls.
Thank you, Helen. Here's hoping we'll all get some good, gentle rain soon!
DeleteTotally out of the blue yesterday, we got 28 mms.
DeleteYay for you! Our next chances are Monday and Tuesday, but they aren't giving us a lot of hope for anything appreciable.
DeleteKim,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are facing similar weather issues as we are. It's been warm enough that things are starting to green up. The lilac in front of the house is starting to bud and we have seen several robins.
Today it was in the low 20's and we got several inches of wet snow. They are talking temps in the 40's-50's the rest of the week. Crazy?
I hope you get the timely rains you need and the temperatures are favorable for the cops. Good Luck as you continue calving.
I saw your photos of snow on Facebook. We haven't had enough snow for me to break in the new boots I bought this winter. At this point, we'd rather have rain than snow. Not picky, are we?
DeleteAs we so often say to each other - these photos of your wheat crop could be taken here at my place in Australia. Even the high voltage powerline running through the paddock!
ReplyDeleteWe all rely so much on rainfall don't we. Here's hoping that you get yours, sooner rather than later.
There are so many things beyond our control. As I've heard said, "Farmers don't need to go to Las Vegas (or the Australian equivalent) to gamble!"
Delete