Farmers always complain.

The rain either doesn't come or comes too much, it's either too hot or too cold, etc. But this year has truly been one for the record books. Most every farmer has been able to find something to complain about just about all growing season.

First we had record rains and flooding this spring, so it was very late getting crops in. The ones who got their corn in early lost large areas with the flood water setting on it. By the time the floodwater receded enough to replant, it was too late to replant corn so they put in beans. The summer was unusually cool and mild. Don't think we had a day over 90 and not the humidity that we usually encounter.

Now the beans should be all out this time of year and corn should be well on its way to being out. Some farmers have hardly started corn because they cannot find any that is dry enough. Farmers with dryers are trying to keep their dryers full day and night. Can you imagine the cost of propane to do that?

After paying terribly high contract costs for propane tankers, the price has now fallen and the price of the commodities have fallen. Plus there are so many crops left in the field, waiting for it to dry and waiting for drier weather. Seems like every 2-3 days we get rain, even though it isn't much it slows the harvest down. What we are now worried about is snow or sleet, could spell disaster for any beans left in the fields.

What does all that have to do with raising Red Deer? Because of the late spring and all the flooding we got 4 crops of hay, usually we like to get 5. One crop got rained on and when that happens you don't get a very nutritious product for the Deer. This will mean we will have to find hay, as we won't have enough to last until next May-June. Cost of the grains will rise if farmers are not able to get them out of the field. All amounting to higher cost of operation. This must qualify me as a "real farmer", I can complain.