‘Long winter’ ahead for organic growers

By Adam Peleshaty
Glacier FarmMedia staff

Just like snow in parts of the Prairies, bids for organic crops have been hard to find during the month of November.

Ken Richmond, a farmer from St. Andrews, Man. and procurement manager for Regina-based O&T Farms, said demand for organic crops has been slower at this time compared to past years and prices have seen little change.

“I think some people have contracts they are committed to and they are using them up. There’s the odd guy buying a little bit, but nothing serious,” he added. Richmond also suggested that flax growers were “shopping around” for the best price, including in the United States.

• READ MORE: Organic price quotes: Late November

The main focus for growers and buyers this winter is to be covered when it comes to grain. According to Scott Shiels, grain procurement manager at Grain Millers Inc. in Yorkton, Sask., some are already looking ahead to next year.

“We’ll expect to have new crop (pricing) early in January as growers try to start planning their crop rotations for next year,” he said. “Right now, it’s mainly getting samples off the buyers, getting analysis done on the crop that’s in the bin. For producers, it’s doing all that fall cleanup work that really is important.”

Shiels also said that snowfall in January and February will be critical for next year’s crop after November’s above-normal temperatures in parts of the eastern Prairies, but it’s too early to worry about another dry year.

(In spring), we will have a better idea on what other countries have done for growing. – Jason Breault

That sentiment was repeated by Jason Breault, manager of RW Organic in Mossbank, Sask. He also expects growers to hang onto their product until business picks up in February or March.

“(In spring), we will have a better idea on what other countries have done for growing,” he said.

On Nov. 20, SaskOrganics announced that Michelle Beckett will be their newest executive director, replacing Marla Carlson.

Beckett was raised on a third-generation organic family farm near Yorkton before earning her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Saskatchewan and starting a career in digital media and marketing. She also co-founded Saskatoon-based software company Levis Tech.

“When this job popped up into my radar in September, this seemed like a great opportunity to learn more about the business around being part of the organic community and what that means in Saskatchewan,” she said.

Beckett added that while organic products and agriculture are becoming more popular across Saskatchewan and Canada, more needs to be done to raise the sector’s profile. SaskOrganics’ goals include better data collection, more consistent messaging, gaining new members and having better financial stability.

“There’s so much agriculture research across Saskatchewan, but so little of it is dedicated to the power of organics and soil regeneration,” she said. “(Tapping) into more opportunities for those research dollars and just trying to be a better voice for our members going forward.”

Organic Council of Ontario director-at-large Rob Wallbridge said a wet fall and a late frost has delayed the corn harvest in the southern half of the province, with some acres still yet to come off the ground.

“Yields are really good for corn, but moisture levels have stayed high with the rains. So that’s been the biggest challenge,” he said.

It’s a very, very soft market for feed soybeans, feed corn and feed wheat. – Harro Wehrmann

Harro Wehrmann of Wehrmann Grain and Seeds in Ripley said it’s possible to continue harvesting for corn in December if needed. He added that prices for organic crops are moving downward and demand is weak, at times near non-existent for feed grains.

“It’s a very, very soft market for feed soybeans, feed corn and feed wheat. The mills are all booked up until the middle of the summer,” he said. “The entire feed sector looks bleak…Right now, people that have (feed) in storage, I think it’s going to be a long winter.”

The Canadian Organic Trade Association (COTA) held its flagship event, the Organic Summit, at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa on Nov. 20 and 21, welcoming members of the organic industry and parliamentarians.

COTA has lobbied the federal government to adopt and implement a policy framework for organic markets and agriculture. The organization has also drafted its own Organic Action Plan.

“A policy directive and framework are crucial to recognize the benefits of organic and unlock support for our sector-led Organic Action Plan for innovation and growth,” said COTA executive director Tia Loftsgard.