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Mark Matyasovszky posing in front of a pair of combines at his farm southwest of Portage. PortageOnline/Jared Thiessen
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Mark Matyasovszky posing in front of a pair of combines at his farm southwest of Portage. PortageOnline/Jared Thiessen
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A family farm southwest of Portage la Prairie is still drying out after a powerful overnight storm, but harvest plans are moving forward.

Mark Matyasovszky farms about 3,600 acres, running a mixed operation of grain and cattle. He says they were spared from some of the heaviest rainfall reported around the region.

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“There was a lot of thunder and lightning in the night in our area,” notes Matyasovszky. “On our farmyard, we kind of lucked out. We only had an inch and a half, but other areas around Portage had it a lot harder.”

 

The storm also dropped hail in some spots, though Matyasovszky remarks that it was minimal where he farms.

Crops show promise despite delays

Harvest is only just beginning on the Matyasovszky farm. They are combining wheat and cutting second-crop hay, though the storm has brought a temporary halt.

Despite the rain, he says crop conditions remain encouraging.

“From what we’ve seen already, they’re pretty good. I think a good average, if not above in some areas. It’s looking promising if we can get it off dry and in good condition.”

This year, the farm is growing corn, beans, oats, wheat, and forages for their cattle. While earlier summer rainfall provided a boost, the latest downpour is less helpful.

“Earlier rains we had helped fill them. We didn’t really need this last one,” continues Matyasovszky. “The only thing that might benefit, maybe the pastures, help them keep going.”

 

Rainfall concerns across the region

Around Portage la Prairie, some farms reported four to five inches of rain, a level that could spell trouble.

“It can cause damage and degrade the wheat, some of the quality in it, and hopefully it’s not going to be a problem,” mentions Matyasovszky.

He adds that while some lodging, where crops get flattened, has been spotted closer to Portage, his own fields were not as badly affected.

The wet fields will slow down progress, but only for a few days. “For us, maybe we’re hoping Sunday or Monday, to get back into it (harvest),” says Matyasovszky.

Harvest timing and market challenges

Matyasovsky had hoped to start earlier this year, but the rainfall means things are falling back to their usual schedule.

 

“We were hoping to get going a bit earlier, the wheat was coming in a bit earlier than usual,” notes Matyasovszky. “But now with the rain, I think it’ll maybe push us back to just on time.”

Alongside the weather challenges, market issues are also top of mind.

Matyasovszky grows canola and says the tariff discussions remain important for farmers.

“Hopefully they can get it resolved shortly and guys who priced ahead of time have a bit of time on their hands to hopefully get the government to straighten it out,” continues Matyasovszky.

Looking to the rest of the season

Despite setbacks, Matyasovszky reflects on the farming year so far with optimism.

“Every year is different and I guess next year will be different again. It was a pretty good year so far,” he mentions.

 

As combines and swathers prepare to roll back onto drier ground, farmers across the Portage area will be watching the skies closely, hoping the next stretch of weather holds fair.

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