Rain welcomed by organic growers

By Adam Peleshaty
Glacier FarmMedia staff

Seeding across the Prairies is more than halfway finished as farmers prepare for further crop emergence in June. While heavy rains have hindered their efforts to put organic and conventional crops in the ground, they’re still seen as welcome considering last summer’s persistent dryness.

“Talking to the farmers, they’re fairly happy with this moisture. It’s very widespread (across the Prairies),” said Ken Richmond, who farms near St. Andrews, Man. and works as a procurement manager for O&T Farms in Regina. “The only thing (farmers) need now is a little bit of time to finish seeding and then the heat can come, because it’s been a little bit cold (in May). But the rains are more than welcome across Western Canada.”

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Scott Shiels, grain procurement manager for Grain Millers Inc. in Yorkton, Sask., added the current conditions are especially needed for organic crops as growers are restricted from using certain tools to maximize yields.

“Weeds are coming up. (Farmers) are able to get a kill with some tillage before they seed. A lot of people are using cover crops now, so they’ll be working those in for the nutrient benefits,” he said. “There are more and more organically-improved soil amendments like fertilizers. So there are some options people can look at.”

Jason Breault, general manager of RW Organic in Mossbank, Sask., said he is seeing farmers in the surrounding area put in plenty of wheat acres. However, buying activity remains quiet as it had been all spring.

“The price of the wheat has stayed up, so that helps,” he said. “As far as buying, there’s less activity, but there is need for grain and prices certainly haven’t fallen.”

The price of the wheat has stayed up, so that helps. – Jason Breault

Richmond said organic peas have been a recent rise in prices, with feed and yellow varieties selling at more than 200 per cent premium compared to conventionals. He cited increased demand from China as a primary reason.

“Lots are moving. I think the Peace River region (in Alberta) is pretty well empty right now. They’ve sold everything, at least that’s what I was told,” Richmond said.

Organic chickpeas are seeing a greater than 300 per cent premium, according to one bid. Meanwhile, buyers are well-covered when it comes to organic oats and are now looking towards new crop pricing, according to Shiels.

“There are bids out there again. People can do some contracting for fall now and have an opportunity to move some grain after harvest,” he said.

We’ve seen more farmers than usual who are looking for alternatives to corn and soybeans. – Rob Wallbridge

Rob Wallbridge, director-at-large for the Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) said recurring rainstorms have delayed plantings in southern parts of the province. He added that growers are sticking to their staples: corn and soybeans.

“We’ve seen more farmers than usual who are looking for alternatives to corn and soybeans, but the market isn’t particularly strong for anything right now,” he said, adding there have been “light upticks” in demand for feed corn and soybeans, but demand is still “lower than normal”.

“Some growers are probably thinking about putting in a spring cereal, but with the way the weather’s been, it hasn’t been cooperative to that.”

However, Wallbridge added winter cereals and forage crops are growing very well at the moment and the rains will replenish the soil, which had been parched over the past winter due to less snow.

“We haven’t run out of time (to finish seeding) yet. As long as we get a dry stretch, we’ll be alright,” he said.