The crops, at least in Prince Edward County, are flourishing this year.
Farmer and director of District 13 Grain Growers of Ontario Lloyd Crowe says he’s never seen the County look so lush in the middle of July in his 50 years of farming.
Though that doesn’t necessarily translate financially.
“Last year was our best year ever, with yield, even though it was dry. And this year’s shaping up to be every bit as good, except for the prices. Every day the prices keep dropping, I think because the old saying ‘rain makes grain’ so the commodity markets are thinking that way too.”
The rain and the heat this summer have created ideal growing conditions.
“The soybeans are amazing, the corn is just, you’d think we are in Iowa. We’re just as good as the midwest in the States. And, that’s not always the case.”
But other areas, even those in the Quinte region aren’t faring quite as well as the downpours of rain have left some extremely soggy fields.
Crowe also notes that some farmers have had difficulty getting their hay off the ground because of the frequent downpours that leave it wet.
He adds that traditionally Prince Edward County is one of the driest counties in the province but so far this growing season they’ve seen exactly the right amount of rain.
Grain farmers will be appreciating a dry week this week as they try to get the wheat harvest off their fields.
Crowe says too much rain can affect grading of the crop and while Prince Edward County is faring well, he says some farmers around the Belleville area are having less success.
