Advertisement

‘Mixed bag’ of weather hits Manitoba, farmers expect ‘varied’ harvest: KAP president

Click to play video: '‘A mixed bag’: Varied weather creates mixed feelings on this years harvest'
‘A mixed bag’: Varied weather creates mixed feelings on this years harvest
Manitoba agriculture producers are hopeful when it comes to this years harvest despite a 'mixed bag' of weather conditions this summer. Jill Verwey, president of the Keystone Agriculture Producers joins Global News Morning to talk about this years harvest outlook – Aug 9, 2023

The president of Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) says that although harvest is right around the corner for Manitoba farmers, the results of the growing season will vary from producer to producer, as weather patterns have fluctuated drastically in different regions.

“In speaking to a number of producers right across the province — even on our own farm — from one corner to another, it’s been a mixed bag, so to speak,” Jill Verwey told Global Winnipeg.

Verwey’s family farm is near Portage la Prairie, where it’s been dry, she said. But that’s not the case for all regions of Manitoba, and it’s not just rain. Many Manitoba farms were hit with extreme weather, including hail, earlier in the season.

“For the most part, farmers adequately insure themselves, but you certainly don’t want to see devastation of hail coming through, and it does impact you as a farmer when you have that,” she said.

Story continues below advertisement

“Usually, it doesn’t affect all of your land at once. It’s usually isolated, but the damage is certainly there.

“With the hot weather usually comes these large system cells that come through … and you could be on the (cusp) of it where you don’t get any rain on one side of the road and on the other side you get two or three inches of it. So it’s very variable.”
Click to play video: 'Farmers hoping for better weather ahead of harvest'
Farmers hoping for better weather ahead of harvest

Verwey said despite some early concerns, supplies of livestock feed are strong in Manitoba, but shortages remain elsewhere in western Canada.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“Most producers have adequate feed, or access to it, coming off last year, but definitely May and June was dry so (producers) were concerned going into pasture,” she said.

“I think it’s going to be sufficient this year, but certainly to the west, there are huge shortages out there. Hopefully, there’s enough to fill the gaps for everyone, because at the end of the day, we want to make sure that all the livestock has sufficient feed.”

Click to play video: 'Impact of heavy rain on farms'
Impact of heavy rain on farms

 

Advertisement

Sponsored content

AdChoices