The Rural Voice, 2019-08, Page 68prices, the farmer may opt to sell the
mixed grain at a discount and
maximize profits from the straw.
“The rumour mill is saying straw
is being delivered into the yard for 12
to 14 cents a pound,” says Peter.
“And I heard straw was selling for
$100 a bale for a big square,” added
Harry.
“But what is a ‘big square’”asked
Peter with a chuckle, citing a bunch
of common sizes ranging from three -
by-six to four-by-eights “I always
say that you shouldn’t be the first one
to tell a story at the coffeeshop
because it won’t be a big enough lie.”
Rye can be a tough crop. Peter
said there is a hybrid rye which is
shorter and higher-yielding and less
likely to lodge. However, seed
companies have proprietory rights
and most of it ends up being grown
for Hiram Walker in Windsor to
make whiskey.
“The base alcohol for their
whiskey is made from corn but like
pepper adds flavour to corn, rye is to
whiskey. They need about 10 per
cent rye to add flavour,” said Peter.
As farmers looked into the rye
heads they found different insects
including a cereal leaf beetle and the
ladybird larvae. The cereal leaf beetle
is very common and its larvae look
like a brown dab as it quite literally
covers itself with its own poop.
Hence, the brown marks on Peter’s
pants after striding through a grain
field. This year, he is finding
ladybird larvae because the grain
fields are being eaten by aphids.
Ladybugs love aphids.
Though still below acceptable
thresholds, the problem with aphids
is that they spread the barley yellow
dwarf virus. This viral disease can
lead to a 50 per cent yield loss so it
has serious repercussions.
Another farmer discovered leaves
with rusty streaks. Was it wheat leaf
rust, which can also decrease yield?
“Here is a diagnostic tool. Run
your finger along the leaf. If your
finger turns rusty, then those are
fungal sports. If it doesn’t, then it’s
physiological. By that, I mean it is
sunburn on the leaf. You will notice
that the rusty streaks are worse where
the leaf is bent and facing the sun,”
explained Peter.
August 2019 65
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