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• High yield of value-added products (over 3000 lbs/acre).
• High quality oil: Lowest saturated fat of vegetable oils (7%) and high levels of healthy monounsaturated fats (61%) and alpha-linolenic (omega-3) acid (11%).
• New uses such as environmentally friendly bio-based oils and fuels.
• Niche market opportunities (organic/specialty oil) for non-GMO.
• Excellent soil building properties and an alternative crop that provides winter ground cover.
• Flexibility in planting time and diversification for sustainable production.

One of the challenges of producing alternative crops is identifying a secure market. There is a small and volatile organic canola market and increasing interest in growing canola as a potential component of biodiesel (In Europe there are biodiesel plants that process canola oil, but this market is not yet developed in the United States). The export and domestic demand for canola is not consistent and attention to marketing is important.

Canola will provide diversity in terms of flowers, plant residues with unique biochemical compounds and reduced host potential for many plant parasitic nematodes. Another attribute of Brassica family plants often discussed is the potential for bio-fumigation. Many Brassica species such as mustards produce chemical compounds in the roots and leaves, which have biocide effects that inhibit soil-borne diseases. If managed as a green manure crop, where green residues are chopped and incorporated, then a mustard or oilseed radish may improve the root health of subsequently grown cash crops. For more information, see the recent MSU Extension bulletin: Snapp, S.S. K. Date, K. Cichy and K. ONeil. 2006. Mustards: A Brassica Cover Crop for Michigan. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E2956.

It is important to realize that canola grown in a crop rotation is not expected to have the same effects as a mustard grown as a green manure or cover crop. The glucosinolates have been bred out of the canola varieties; these are the plant biochemical compounds that have biofumigation effects. Also, growing a crop to maturity and removing the seed will leave older residues and roots that may have minimal effects on soil organisms compared to incorporating a fresh, green vegetative cover crop. However, canola will provide very different types of root inputs than other plant families such as legumes (soybean, dry bean) and grasses (corn, wheat, oats), and crop diversification promotes a healthy soil community.

Canola production
Canola has exacting production requirements. Soils must be well drained, and soil fertility is important in order to supply the considerable nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur requirements of this crop. The biochemical compounds that are unique to the brassica family are a key reason why these plants require high sulfur availability. Organic sources of sulfur include elemental sulfur and gypsum. Soils will also have good sulfur supplying capacity if they are high in soil organic matter through long-term attention to following soil-building practices such as growing cover crops and adding judicial amounts of manure.

Wet and poorly drained soils are not suitable for production of canola and this is a primary consideration in choosing a field for canola – there should be no standing water problems. It is also important to have no wild mustard weed infestation problems.

For the seeding rate of a specific canola variety, check with the seed source. A general recommendation is to plant 5 to 7 lbs per acre with a drill used for planting small grains.

Canola has a small seed and produces a small seedling that initially may be susceptible to weed competition, so a management strategy for pre-plant and pre-emerge control of weeds is important. Once canola is established, it has a broad leaf and will suppress many weeds. Pest problems are generally minimal although there are some potential disease and insect issues that are summarized by the Great Lakes Canola Association, at http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/canola/. A potential problem is Western Beet Yellows virus, which has the potential to be transferred between sugar beets and canola, so do not produce canola in sugar beet-producing areas.

Canola can be combined directly by a small grain combine, at about 9 to 10 percent seed moisture. Generally, about 95 percent of the pods will have turned brown and seed in the pods will be black at maturity. Slow combine speed should be used to enhance seed cleanliness. To maintain high seed oil quality is important, and processors and market outlets should be consulted to learn of specific harvest or post-harvest storage recommendations.

Resources
The Great Lakes Canola Association has a website with excellent conventional canola production information, see http://www.agry.purdue.edu/ext/canola/

A recent guide on organic production of canola was produced in Australia. For a copy of this review, type ‘Canola’ into the search engine at: www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/nreninf.nsf. Note that the organic production method described is somewhat ‘substitution’ oriented, as organic mined sources of nutrients are described and limited information is provided on building soil fertility with cover crops. It was also developed for a drier climate than the upper Midwest as the annual rainfall is about 15 inches in the region of Australia where organic canola is primarily produced.

United States and regional supply of certified organic fruits and vegetables

Jennifer Dennis and Corinne Alexander, Department of Agricultural Economics,
Purdue University

According to the Nutrition Business Journal (2004), organic produce accounted for $4.3 billion in sales with fresh produce accounting for over 80% of sales. Organic fruits and vegetables continue to be the “gateway” products to organic purchases (Oberholtzer, Dimitri, and Greene, 2005) and one of the key contributors to the success of the organic movement. This article summarizes the currently available information on the United States and regional supply of certified organic fruit and vegetables. The USDA, Economic Research Service has published survey data on certified organic operations through 2003 (ERS, 2005).

U.S. trends in certified organic fruit
Overall, US certified organic acreage in organic fruit has increased by 58% from 1997 to 2003. Tree nuts, citrus, and apples rose by 112%, 92%, and 57% respectively. Grapes had the lowest percentage change at 9%. In 2003, grapes had the largest acreage at 21,041 acres followed by apples at 13,902. California, Arizona, and Washington had the highest apple acreage in the U.S. with 2,893; 1,436; and 8,246 acres.

Regional trends in certified organic fruit
The Midwest region is not a strong leader in organic fruit production. Apples, grapes, and unclassified/other are the three major categories for which data has been collected for fruit that can be grown in this region. Michigan had the highest apple acreage in the region at 597 acres. Michigan’s climate and predominant position as the regional leader for apples makes their status not surprising. The largest organic grape acreage reported was from Minnesota. Ohio and Michigan also had organic grape acreage reported although it was very small at less than 5 acres. Unclassified and other fruit included cranberries, berries, stone fruit, and tropical fruit. Michigan and Wisconsin were the biggest contributors in acreage in that category (Table 1).

U.S. trends in certified organic vegetables
Organic vegetable production has grown 64% from 1997 to 2003. Carrots and lettuce had the biggest growth in organic acreage in the five year period at 139% and 108% respectively. California continues to have the largest acreage of organic lettuce, carrots, and tomatoes. Organic vegetable production in the U.S. is small with two million acres accounting for only four percent of organic production. The largest organic vegetable crop is carrots.

Regional trends in certified organic vegetables
The Midwestern region does better producing organic vegetables with 5,351 acres certified in production. This region contributes to organic vegetable production in mixed vegetables and unclassified or other vegetables. Ohio has the largest amount of organic tomato and lettuce acreage while Wisconsin has the largest reported acreage in carrots (See Table 2). Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin have the highest organic vegetable acreage in the region with 68.3% of the reported acres combined. To expand the types of organic vegetables grown, information should be collected on the types of mixed and unclassified vegetables.

Conclusions
The Economic Research Service reported acreage for the Midwestern region shows organic vegetables are the predominant crops produced. The Midwest contributes 6.8% of U.S. organic acreage for vegetables and 1.8% for fruit. Organic produce is still a viable option for producers, especially in local markets as consumers with young children are looking for fresh sources of produce. Although consumption trends of organic favored West Coast consumers, mainstream products such as organic milk, bread and pasta sauce produced by larger companies have consumers asking for more organic produce throughout the nation. There is room for growth in organic vegetable production as end markets such as food service, local restaurants, and distributors/wholesalers are looking for fresh local products. Direct retail selling at farmers’ markets is also a profitable outlet. Fresh organic produce will continue to be a big component of the organic movement.

References
Economic Research Service (ERS), United States Department of Agriculture. 2005. “Data Sets.” http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/organic/
Nutrition Business Journal (NBJ), 2004. The NBJ/SPINS Organic Foods
Report 2004 , Penton Media, Inc.
Oberholtzer, Lydia, Carolyn Dimitri, and Catherine Greene. 2005. “Price Premiums Hold on as U.S. Organic Produce Market Expands.”
http://www.ers.usda.gov/publications/vgs/may05/VGS30801/VGS30801.pdf

Key diseases in organically produced tomatoes: septoria leaf spot and early blight

Margaret Tuttle McGrath, Cornell University

(Editor’s note: This article was first published by IPM News at Cornell University.)

Septoria leaf spot and early blight are the most common of several important foliar diseases affecting tomatoes grown in the northeastern United States. They are both caused by fungi that can be seed-borne, produce abundance of spores dispersed by wind or water, and can survive in soil thereby perpetuating on a farm once introduced. Their common occurrence even in small home gardens isolated from other tomatoes indicates the ease with which the fungi causing these diseases can be dispersed. Other important foliar diseases in the northeast are late blight, bacterial speck, bacterial spot, bacterial canker, leaf mold, powdery mildew, and tomato spotted wilt virus.

Symptoms of both diseases are small, circular, dark brown to black leaf spots that first form on lower leaves. These spots can have yellow borders. Black leaf spots also develop with bacterial speck and spot, but these are more often on upper leaves when the disease starts to develop. Spots caused by Septoria lycopersici develop a characteristic gray center maintaining dark brown at the border, and they develop tiny black structures in the gray tissue that are visible with a hand lens. Water-dispersed spores ooze out of these black structures under humid conditions, which can be obtained by putting leaves on damp paper towel in a plastic bag over night. In contrast, leaf spots due to early blight become larger and often develop concentric rings that give these spots their characteristic target appearance. Tomato spotted wilt virus can also induce brown leaf spots with rings. Usually these plants will have other symptoms, including dieback of growing tips and brown discoloration on fruit. Dark, leathery, sunken spots sometimes with a velvety spore covering can develop on fruit of plants affected by early blight. Symptoms also develop on stems, petioles and fruit calyx with Septoria leaf spot and early blight. Collar rot can occur with early blight when stem lesions at ground level continue to enlarge causing plants to become girdled, resulting in death. Accurate diagnosis is critical with any disease so that appropriate management practices are implemented. Pictures are available at:

• http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/ under Photo Gallery in the left margin.
• http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&q=Tomato+Septoria&btnG=Search
• http://images.google.com/images?q=Tomato+early+blight&hl=en&btnG=Search+Images

When uncontrolled under favorable conditions, both Septoria leaf spot and early blight can cause extensive death of leaves. Defoliation before fruit are mature results in fruit with poor flavor because sugar content is lower due to reduced photosynthesis. Also, without protective leaves, fruit are exposed to sun and can be injured (sunscald). Fruit production will also decline.

Septoria leaf spot and early blight can be effectively managed with cultural practices that start before planting and rescue treatments beginning at the first sign of these diseases.

Select early blight resistant varieties when suitable. Early-blight resistance has been incorporated into the Mountain series, which includes Mountain Pride, Supreme, Gold, Fresh and Belle. This resistance is controlled by several genes, thus these varieties have moderate but stable resistance. These varieties unfortunately produce smaller fruit than others and are not as suitable for the northeast because they are late maturing; however, where early blight has been severe, these might be worth considering. In the near future, perhaps as early as 2007, varieties will begin to be released by the Cornell Breeding Program that are suitable for the northeast with early blight and late blight resistance. Note that early maturing varieties tend to develop early blight symptoms before other varieties and to become more severely affected, and indeterminant varieties tend to be less severely affected than determinant ones.

Purchase seed and transplants from a reliable supplier. Hot water treat seed right before planting (methods are on-line at: http://vegetablemdonline.ppath.cornell.edu/NewsArticles/All_BactSeed.htm). Inspect purchased transplants for symptoms. Select a field that has not been planted to tomatoes for at least 3 years. Plastic or organic mulch forms a barrier between the pathogen overwintering in the soil and the crop. Mulch with hairy vetch might induce resistance, as demonstrated recently through research. Provide optimum growing conditions. Severity of early blight can be lower when soil fertility is high.

As with most foliar plant diseases caused by fungi, development of Septoria leaf spot and early blight are favored by wet leaf tissue because moisture is needed for spore germination and growth into the leaf. Therefore these diseases will be less severe where cultural practices are used to minimize the time that leaves are wet. Plant rows parallel to prevailing wind. Use wide row and plant spacing. Stake or trellise plants; disinfect used stakes. Control weeds and volunteer tomato plants, which can serve as a source of inoculum as well as promote moist conditions by restricting air movement when allowed to grow unrestricted. Irrigate with drip preferably or overhead irrigate when leaf wetness period will be minimally extended. Work when foliage is dry to minimize movement of Septoria spores.

Inspect plants at least weekly so that rescue treatments can be started at the beginning of disease development. Look thoroughly about a week after favorable conditions (couple days of rain or long dew periods when temperature is 75-85°F). Starting treatment early is critical because once established, diseases are difficult to suppress even with conventional fungicides. There are disease forecasting systems developed for early blight that have also proven useful for Septoria leaf spot and Anthracnose: TomCAST, FAST, CUFAST, and TomFAST. These use temperature and moisture measurements (RH, Rain, leaf wetness, and/or dew) to determine favorability of conditions. Severity values are assigned to each favorable period and accumulated until threshold has been reached, at which point treatment is recommended because conditions have been sufficiently favorable that infection would have occurred if spores were present. Commercial products are available with sensors and software with a forecast program. With these systems it has been possible to achieve similar disease control to a weekly spray program with as much as 50% fewer applications, but note that these experiments have been conducted with conventional fungicides. These systems are not a substitute for crop inspection because there are other diseases, in particular those caused by bacteria, which have different favorable conditions.

There are OMRI-approved fungicides and products exempt from EPA registration that can be used for rescue treatments. OMRI-approved fungicides labeled for early blight in tomato include OxiDate, Sonata, Serenade Max, and the copper-based fungicide Champion. Champion is also labeled for Septoria leaf spot. In New York and other states that require the target pest/pathogen be specified on the label, these products registered through EPA as fungicides can only be used legally for these diseases unless a FIFRA 2(ee) recommendation has been approved for another pathogen. There are also several products defined as minimum risk pesticides through FIFRA Section 25(b) rule because their active and inert ingredients are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). These consequently are exempted from the regulation requirements of FIFRA and thus can be used on any labeled crops for any target since they do not need to be registered as a pesticide.

Several products for managing early blight and Septoria leaf spot in organically-produced tomato have been evaluated in replicated experiments. In Ohio in 2003, early blight and Septoria leaf spot were suppressed most by treatments with copper (Bordeaux mixture, Champion, Storox alternated with Champion) based on disease severity on 26 Sep and AUDPC, which is a summation value for disease severity over time. Based on just AUDPC, Garlic Barrier, Serenade, seaweed extract (SW-3), and Trilogy were also effective. Biodynamic 508, Humega, Kaligreen, Sonata, Storox, Timor and Timorex were ineffective. In an experiment conducted in Iowa in 2003 where both bacterial spot and Septoria leaf spot occurred, disease severity was significantly lower and yield significantly higher in tomato treated with Champion than tomato treated with Serenade or either compost tea tested, which were not significantly different from non-treated tomato grown on straw or plastic mulch. In Massachusetts in 2000, copper hydroxide suppressed early blight and Septoria leaf spot while the microbial-based treatments (Biostart Agricola, Deny, and compost tea) did not. In a series of 3 experiments conducted on a certified organic farm in western New York, foliar disease symptoms were reduced significantly compared with the non-treated control with foliar applications of Trilogy and also Plantshield applied as a soil drench after transplanting when early blight was the predominant disease and conditions were at most moderately favorable for disease development. (Note that Plantshield currently is labeled for use as a greenhouse drench for root diseases).

During a cooler, wetter season when Septoria leaf spot was the dominant disease, foliar application of Champion WP was the only treatment that significantly decreased disease compared with the control. Trilogy (foliar), SW-3 (drench and foliar) and Humega (soil) appeared to provide some suppression of Septoria leaf spot, but while severity was not significantly different from that of Champion-treated plants, it was also not different from the non-treated control plants. Foliar diseases (combination of Septoria leaf spot, powdery mildew, and bacterial speck) were not suppressed by any of the treatments evaluated on Long Island, NY, in 2003 and 2004, which included preventive applications of Sonata and/or compost tea and rescue treatments of JMS Stylet-oil and Champion that followed preventive compost tea applications.

Destroy plant debris at the end of the season to reduce the quantity of inoculum that can survive over winter.

The inclusion of cereal rye as winter cover crop following corn is a valuable nutrient management tool in the typical corn–soybean rotation of the United States Midwest. However, scientists from the Crops Sciences Department at the University of Illinois suggest that little information is available on the effects of rye WCC on the soybean crop.

Nitrate leaching from agricultural fields into surface and groundwater supplies is a critical problem in the U.S. Midwest. It is generally recognized that residual N from excessive fertilizer application is the most important source of NO3-N. Most of the NO3-N leaching occurs during the late fall and early spring months when the soil is fallow and the introduction of grasses can reduce NO3-N leaching in corn-soybean cropping systems.

However, the adoption of rye winter cover crop will be limited if the yield of the cash crop in the cropping system is reduced. There is conflicting information on this question. A study on the effect of rye winter cover crop on soybean grain yield funded by the C2000 program of the Illinois Department of Agriculture is published in the May-June issue of Agronomy Journal.

For this study conducted from 2000 to 2001, scientists looked at several rotations including winter cover crop. The study was conducted under no-till practices in fields that had been previously in a corn-soybean rotation for at least five years.

The authors concluded that the large amount of rye biomass produced and its N content, which was highly correlated to soil residual NO3-N content demonstrate that rye winter cover crop planted after corn has the potential to reduce NO3-N leaching. For corn producers it is important to keep in mind that as the N rate applied to the previous corn crop increases it will eventually increase rye winter cover crop biomass and N content.

The authors stated that “Rye winter cover crop was introduced without affecting soybean light interception during the growing season and grain yield. The ability of rye to respond to increased N availability combined with other potential benefits—such as soil erosion reduction and improved weed management—provide valuable environmental services when used in the traditional corn–soybean rotation of the United States Midwest.”

Indiana report
Southeast Indiana—Gary Reding
All is well here in southeast Indiana right now. We have had some very timely rains that came at the break of the heat wave. We had a nice cooling shower last week as the popcorn tassels were emerging and the soybeans were blooming. The popcorn is now pollinating and pod-set has begun on the soybeans. There is a lot of potential in both crops at this point and could be a very good year for us if we don’t get an early frost. This week is dedicated to rouging the soybeans of weeds. We have had good control with cultivation and rotary hoeing but had an outbreak of pigweeds in all the fields (not bad enough we cannot rogue them however). The beans are about hip high and nearly a perfect stand everywhere. The next two weeks will be mainly the rouging and then praying for “timely” rainfall and optimal temperatures until harvest. We are seeing a few Japanese and Mexican bean beetles but a lot of ladybugs and other natural predators while in the fields. Leaf damage is less than five to 10 percent. I think having 50 ft. wide buffers all around the fields may be helping with insect control by providing a habitat for beneficials year-round.
           
Questions
As far as questions I might have: We are looking into aflatoxins in popcorn when under stress. We have some production in the West Plains and are concerned about heat stress causing aflatoxin problems. Are there any known organic management strategies to minimize the contamination and can it be separated in the cleaning process to get below the 20 ppm level needed for human consumption? If you know of anyone in the country who could help us with these and other related questions, contact me so I can discuss it further.

Illinois Report
Southwest Central Illinois—Floyd Johnson
The weather has been very dry and not just farmer grumpy dry. We have only mowed the yard twice this summer, and once was just for weeds. I haven’t noticed any heat stress, but I know crops would be growing better with water. One neighbor did a field survey of conventional crops and he is expecting 80 bushels when they normally get 200. During the next two weeks I need to finish mowing weeds, pay bills and catch records up. During the spring it is too busy to keep up with. I am looking at some larger equipment that would help me keep up with stuff, but wonder if I’ll be able to finance it. I plan to cultivate soybeans for a second time, if I don’t trim roots too much. Then I plan to plow oat stubble and sow a cover to hold it.

West Central Illinois—Anne Patterson
We went into a modified work schedule for six days due to high heat index and had one morning last week with one-half inch of rain. Total rain since July 25 is 0.6 inches. Lost most of the last lettuce transplants even with shade cloth and watering, just too hot to survive. Cloudy and in mid 80s today.

It’s all pretty much harvesting at this point, with the exception of weekly lettuce transplants.
Onions are all out of field. Picking tomatoes, tomatillos, squash, beets, carrots, eggplant, watermelon, pears, peppers, cucumbers, beans and herbs: cilantro, thyme, basils, borage blossoms, anise hyssop, tarragon and sage.

A University of Wisconsin Dept of Ag field study is showing fertilizing hazelnuts is resulting in poorer results than not fertilizing. This is contrary to what I have read. I’m finding out that growing hazelnuts in the Midwest is a true experiment with not enough scientific or field knowledge. The most important factor seems to be adequate water, which I haven’t had in the five years since I planted them. So watering is more important than anything else, besides deer browsing prevention. I’m glad I haven’t yet put manure on hazels this year.

In the next two weeks we will be clearing old beds and waiting until September to put in a winter cover crop. We also will be working on new woodland plant propagation beds, which have been started, but not finished. We will continue harvesting.

West Suburban Chicago—Steve Tiwald
We received 1.5 inches of rain during the past week, and are okay for now.

Current activities include:
Harvesting: We are in our ninth harvest week for our CSA. We do harvesting on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. This occupies a large amount of time and resources. The tomatoes have started as well as eggplants, peppers and cucumbers. Other vegetables being harvested these days are lettuce, kale, Swiss chard, beets, radishes, summer squashes, cabbage, kohlrabi, leeks, onions and garlic, plus herbs—basil, thyme and sage. We have begun the potato harvest and it will continue through this week. The Kennebecs look pretty good. The Dark Red Norlands seems to be having a low yield. We will know more when all the potatoes are in and weighed. Seeding: Weekly seeding of lettuces in the greenhouse for later transplanting to the field. Transplanting: We put out the fall bok choi. Cultivation: Mowing of the walkways and hand-weeding in the beds (we cannot use mechanical cultivation because of the drip-tape for irrigation). Mow-down of finished strips (broccoli, cauliflower, spinach, peas, lettuce) followed by scarf pass of rototiller, then planting of summer cover crop, either buckwheat or sorghum-sudan grass. Insect control: the annual invasion of western corn rootworm beetles has come, and they are badly damaging our summer and winter squash.

In the next two weeks we will finish the potato harvest and set it up to cure in the corn crib loft. We’ll also be harvesting onions and setting them up to cure in the hayloft on drying racks. Transplanting: Finish transplanting the fall crops of pac choi, continue the successions of lettuce, continue the harvesting and seeding of lettuce and cultivation.

Northern Illinois—Dave Campbell
We had five consecutive days (July 28 – Aug 1) with temperatures in the upper 90 to 100º range with humid and windy conditions. We also received one and one-half inch of rain on Aug. 2, which was very welcome after a dry July. Temperatures are forecasted to be in the average range for the next week or so.

I finished combining oats last week; yields were disappointing in the 65 bu/A range. I finished combining wheat a week and a half ago with yields in the 75 bu/A range, and quality was good as well. I also just finished baling oats and wheat straw last week.

I will start cultivating beans for the third time tomorrow. Within the next day or two I will start walking soybeans to cut out broadleaf weeds in the rows. I will put up second hay cutting, hopefully soon, once I get my baler fixed. I will also be cutting weeds along with trimming around field borders and waterways.

Iowa report
Northwest Iowa— Paul Mugge
It finally rained. I received more rain in the first week of August than May, June and July combined (4.25 inches). The beans have been helped tremendously. There is irreparable damage to the corn, but at least the bleeding has been stopped. The temperatures have moderated somewhat and the humidity is not quite so unbearable.

I am still trying to finish up combining flax. Where the weeds were bad, the rain on the windrows is a problem. They don’t dry underneath and are starting to mold. If it rains on them again I think the flax will be unusable. I only have about five acres left. Yields are surprisingly good considering the conditions—about 20 bu/A. I am also trying to finish up some cover crop planting. I can finally do that since it has rained.

Over the next two weeks I have a lot of manure to haul. Solid from a neighbor that will be composted and liquefied. Manure from my pigs will be knifed in on small grain fields going to corn next year.

Michigan report
South Central Michigan—Anthony Cinzori
The weather has been very hot, 90 degrees plus, but everything looks good. Currently harvesting and planting fall greens. Two weeks ago we harvested oats at about 60 bu/A. In the next two weeks we will plant fall greens, harvest, disk oat ground after straw baled, and planting green beans, zucchini and summer squash one more time.

East Michigan—John Simmons
We’ve had rain, lots of rain. Two weeks ago we received three to four rainy/thunderstorm days with rain totaling about five inches. Just perfect for late July/early August. Small grain harvest is proceeding nicely with good quality grain. Last week we saw thunderstorms with rain ranging from two to nine inches in one night, followed by another inch the next day. Many low fields were flooded, but the major damage was sprouting of spelt/wheat remaining in the field. The rain has also hampered hay and straw harvest and is encouraging growth of clover cover crops and weeds in small grain fields (oats/barley/spelt/wheat/rye). Wet fields are stunting growth of recently planted buckwheat. Dry weather will allow recovery, but weeds will have a chance to gain a foothold.

Currently we are continuing harvest of spelt, pasture rotation and painting the barn. In the next two weeks we will finish spelt harvest and harvest oats and rye.