‘The grazing season could be shortened’: Neubauer Farms, by Irvine, braces for potentially dry season

Calving is well underway in the region, recent weather and moisture has been positive for the farm, but has also presented some challenges with cattle.

“You have to be pretty diligent as a producer when it’s cold and wet and snowy. Just staying on top of bedding and keeping health conditions at bay is a big deal,” Neubauer said.

“But on the same hand, the grass is starting to grow. Things are greening up. And so the recent moisture actually is fantastic in terms of getting our pastures in condition for some summer grazing.”

Cattle eating hay at Neubauer Farms. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

Fifty to 60 head of cattle will graze the farm, the Neubauer Farms brand will be burned onto the cattle before the majority of them spend time at the Seven Persons Grazing Association, an irrigated pasture over the summer months.

“If the conditions remain dry and the water allotment doesn’t increase, there’s a good probability that the grazing season could be shortened,” Neubauer said.

“Because the cattle have to come home a little early if we don’t have enough water to keep the grass in good shape.”

Making sure the cattle don’t overgraze the land is important for grass to come back the next year.

When it comes to the grain operation at the farm, the recent moisture has brought a positive outlook for this year.

“Last year was a tough year, but certainly we’re hoping for a little better this year with less than four inches of rain in a season it’s tricky to grow a crop,” Neubauer said.

“If we can even just get back to what would be more historical averages, which would be more in that six to eight inch range, well, we can do something with that for sure.”

Seeding will be underway around April 20 for Neubauer Farms. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

Seeding is just around the corner for the Neubauers.

“I got notification from my husband that the seeder’s coming out of the shop this weekend,” Neubauer said.

“We’ll be doing maintenance, getting some seed, some seed treated, getting fertilizer lined up, and I’m anticipating that seeding probably is going to start for us somewhere between the 20th and the 22nd of April.”

The Neubauers will seed mostly durum and wheat on their dry land, these cereal crops have a growing season of about 100 days, but a lack of moisture could shorten that by about 10 days.

Their irrigated land sees a yearly rotation between pulse crops like peas and lentils, then cereals and canola.

Hay is also grown on irrigated land to feed the cattle.

Harvest will take place later in August.

“June is really what makes or breaks a good crop here in southeast Alberta,” Neubauer said.

“Historically, we’ve had some good rain in June, and if that just comes back, that’s really all we need. We found out in recent years, last year was really year seven of drought,” she added.

“We found out how timely rains can actually make all the difference in putting a crop in the bin.”

Moisture will also benefit by helping keep the number of grasshoppers down to help avoid having to spray pesticides on the crops, to avoid the insect from eating the crop.

Having available water is always a concern for producers.

“We haven’t had significant runoff for a good number of years, a lot of dugouts are low or dry. Replenishing dugouts from snow runoff is key. We got a little bit out here,” Neubauer said.

“We have a few dugouts that catch water fairly easily. So we’ll be okay. We have a well that’s still handing in there,” she added.

“Talking with some producers, there’s even concern with groundwater and what that looks like. A lot of folks rely on well water for getting watering their livestock.”

With the irrigated land the Neubauers farm restrictions are in place.

“We are reduced to eight inches at this point in time through the St. Mary’s Irrigation District,” Neubauer said.

Crop insurance is also important for producers to help keep them in business when things don’t go well, although rates have gone up, Neubauer said they are still manageable.

Even with the risks, Neubauer find farming to be rewarding.

“It’s meaningful and it connects you emotionally to the land and to nature,” Neubauer said.

“I think that’s the piece that keeps us all coming back for more because we can see the results of our efforts,” she added.

“Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but when they do, it’s very gratifying.”

by Jesse Gill

‘The grazing season could be shortened’: Neubauer Farms, by Irvine, braces for potentially dry season

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