By Shaun Penner

Harvest Underway

Weekend rain too little, too late for Peace Region farmers: GGC Chair

Aug 24, 2021 | 1:36 PM

The chair of the Grain Growers of Canada says the heavy rainfall in the Peace Region over the weekend was too little, too late for most farmers who have dealt with drought conditions this year.

Valhalla Farmer Andre Harpe says while he was certainly happy to see nearly 40 mm of rain fall between Sunday and Monday, it came at a time when most farmers in the region have already begun to harvest their crop.

“On the grain side of things anyways it’s not going to help a whole lot. It might help fill some of the later crops, but on the whole… it’s helpful for next year and get us back to more on average,” said Harpe.

“For the cattle guys, this is great news. It’s good for the pastures and good for the hay land to rejuvenate a little bit.”

That rain fell as area farmers begin a harvest that is set to yield them quite a bit less than the five and ten-year average.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

In the latest Alberta Crop Report, yields were estimated at 32 per cent below the five-year average in the Peace Region. The report adds that yield estimates have spring wheat at 34.4 bushels per acre, barley at 27.7, oats at 45.9, canola at 23.5 and dry peas at 31.1.

Harpe says while he knows overall yields will be quite low, the full impact of the hot and dry summer is still yet to be determined.

“We’re not really going to feel the pain until the winter. We’re just getting out harvest off, it is for the most part quite a bit lower than average,” said Harpe. “This next year is going to be a tough one.”

He adds the best thing farmers can hope for to get their crop off to a good start in the spring is a bit more rainfall, followed by a good bit of snow.

“I think all anybody wants right now is just a good, average winter. It’s all we really need,” said Harpe. “Average snowfall, average temperatures, and that’s all we really need to kind of get back on track.”

Crop conditions in the Peace, as of August 10, are also well below the five and ten-year averages. As of that date, only 13.3 per cent of all major crops in the region (spring wheat, barley, oats, canola, and dry peas) were considered in good to excellent conditions.

The five-year average sits at 71.1 per cent, while the ten-year average sits at 64.5 per cent.