Dry summer cuts B.C. Peace yields in half

I talked this morning with Bruno Osterwalder who farms near Fort St. John, B.C. with his wife, Ruth. The farm had two inches of rain in total from May 1 to July 31, and most of it was a tenth at a time. Then they had about an inch and a half in August and a bit more in September -- just enough to slow harvest. "The lawn is green again and the fescue is recovering," he says. But it was too late to help his annual crops. 

Bruno is finished his peas and almost finished his wheat. Yields for both are around 50 per cent of the 10-year average for his farm. Quality is very good, so that's at least one positive. As for the whole area, he says it is "incredibly variable." In some places, farmers are getting 80 per cent of a crop. In others, farmers will harvest "absolutely nothing," he says.

Bruno still has barley, oats and canola to combine. He expects half a crop of canola, but hopes for slightly better results from his oats and barley.

Ross Ravelli expects similar yields

Ross Ravelli, president of the Grain Growers of Canada, farms near Dawson Creek, B.C., about 80 km down the road from Fort St. John. He is 70 per cent done harvest, which is ahead of most farms in the area. His hard red spring yielded 18 bushels per acre, compared to the crop insurance average of 45. His barley yielded 45 bushels per acre, compared to his insurance average of 75. And he hopes to get 15 to 17 bushels for his canola, which he has not combined. The insurance average is 36.

Thanks to Marianne Stamm

Marianne Stamm from Westlock, Alta., is a regular reader of my blog. She called this week to offer her services as a writer. She pitched some great article ideas, so you'll hopefully see her byline in Grainews a few times in the coming months. She also reminded me of the dry conditions in the B.C. Peace region and gave me Bruno's phone number. Thank you Marianne.