Darren Dalrymple of Dalrymple Enterprises, a local farm, has shared the positives about this year's harvest despite facing some initial weather-related challenges. He oversees the family-run business alongside his sons, and addressed the concerns they had earlier in the year.
"It started last winter when there wasn't much snow, we had new dugouts at the pastures and we were concerned that they wouldn't be filled enough and have enough water for the summer. But that all changed in late spring with some snowfall, and good rains."
However, the cool and damp conditions in early spring did delay their corn planting, which was not started until June 8 which is later than usual. Dalrymple explains.
"That's the latest we've ever put corn in the ground. Our saving grace there, however, was that it was in the ground for just a few days and then grew right away and didn't sit in the ground for weeks. Otherwise, then it comes out a weak plant. So, it has done quite well."
Dalrymple praised the favourable conditions for their pastures this year and explained that the grasses in the pastures have actually grown incredibly well, and the alfalfa and grass they harvested and cut for winter feed are the best they have ever seen. The late summer heat has further aided the corn's maturation, with the crop expected to be ready for harvest in the next two to three weeks.
Looking ahead, Dalrymple emphasized the need for future moisture.
"We eventually will need rain again. I'm not sure that we need rain right now, but we will need some moisture again. We will need a good snow cover this winter in order to have moisture to put the crop in the ground, make the grasses grow for all the things that we do here with the livestock."
He ended off with expressing what a privilege it has been for he and his wife Myrna that they can farm with their children and that the next generation wants to be involved in agriculture.