More rain needed for Simcoe County farmers
The irrigation systems are running full blast in the Holland Marsh as farmers grapple with dry conditions.
Avia Eek grows carrots and onions on 85 acres of land. She said the farm is ahead of last year's pace when it comes to seeding, but the lack of rain is a growing concern this year.
"Right now, the challenge we are faced with is it is dry; it's really, really dry," said Eek.
She said farmers tend to irrigate through the night to avoid heavy winds and evaporation from the sun. Although, she says farmers are now forced to irrigate during the day.
"You can see irrigation running now, and that just tells you just how important it is to get that water on the crops," said Eek.
Jim Partridge is a farmer with 1,400 acres in Oro Medonte, Ont., and he says he is also facing challenges with the recent dry spell.
"Nothing grows without water—it's as simple as that," said Partridge.
Partridge grows soybeans, corn and wheat and similar to many farmers, he doesn't have an irrigation system, so he depends on rain. He believes that local farmers are experiencing a moderate drought, and it could soon affect produce supply.
"It will certainly equate to a shortage of product which of course increases prices like supply and demand. That's what will happen if it doesn't rain soon," said Partridge.
Several local farmers told CTV news the crops being harvested right now are in pretty good shape considering the lack of rain. The corn, for example, at Partridges farm is almost up to his knees, which according to him, is usually a good sign for the season.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What's a Barnacle? It's yellow, sticks and screams if you try to pry it off your car
Barnacles, bright yellow devices used to make sure parking scofflaws pay their tickets, could soon be making their way to cities across Canada.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
A Nigerian chess champion plays the royal game for 60 hours - a new global chess record
A Nigerian chess champion and child education advocate played chess nonstop for 60 hours in New York City's Times Square to break the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.