Southwestern Ontario farmers optimistic about this year's crop yields

Many agriculture producers in the southwest region are heading into Thanksgiving feeling thankful this year for a successful growing season.

A number of producers say they are expecting average to above-average crop yields this year, after a wetter-than-usual start to the growing season.

"We've had a really good run of harvest so far," said Nathan Saarloos, an agronomist and farmer who owns Kingsmill Gardens near Aylmer, Ontario. His farm grows a variety of pumpkins, squash, and gourds, as well as hay, wheat, corn, and beans.

Saarloos said the season started out very wet in the spring and delayed planting for some crops until early July. The season stayed wetter than usual, but he added that was an advantage in helping support shallow root systems until conditions became drier in late summer.

"I think overall the crops look excellent in our area despite the late planting and now it's sort of dried out for harvest, which is what you want," said Saarloos.

"I would say we've received enough heat to finish each of our crops that we grow, and in this part of the world, I would say we'll end up with better than average yields across the board."

Saarloos said so far they have seen positive results in yields from their pumpkins, soybeans, and hay production.

For Charles Lambregts, the wetter weather is posing some challenges for his crops. Lambregts is the farm manager for Caradoc Mountain Pumpkins, a small farm that grows pumpkins and squash in Strathroy.

He said the past two years have seen more precipitation than normal and has led to higher rates of rot and disease in his pumpkin crops the longer they stay in the fields.

Lambregts said they started harvesting early in September and so far they have been successful in bringing in what they can, prompting good sales, but noted not as much of their crop will be as usable as they would like.

"It looks like we have tons in the field. But you know, a lot of it is rotten and you kind of end up just having to pick what you can get," explained Lambregts.

He said the hotter, drier conditions this fall has been beneficial in slowing down the process of rot on the pumpkins and he is optimistic they will end up with an 'okay' yield.

Many producers are saying higher crop yields, especially for grain, will be needed to offset lower commodity prices, which dropped this year due to inflation rates, global conflicts, and supply and demand problems.

Lower commodity prices are a worry for Matt Versteegh, who owns Field and Flock Farms south of Aylmer and produces corn, soybeans and winter wheat.

"Inputs haven't come back in relation to commodity prices and the high land prices with the interest rates and everything, putting pressure on everybody."

Pricing and a wet start to the growing season that delayed planting are the biggest challenges he said he's faced this year. Despite that, Versteegh said he is also expecting average to slightly above-average crop yields this year thanks to a drier and warmer fall.

"Every year you're faced with different challenges," said Versteegh. "It's part of the business I guess."