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
Fluid in eye cells can 'boil' if you watch the eclipse without protection: expert
Millions of people in parts of Eastern and Atlantic Canada will be able to see the rare solar eclipse happening on April 8. But they should only look up if they have proper eye protection, experts say.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
NEW More unauthorized products for skin, sexual enhancement, recalled: Here are the recalls of this week
Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled various items this week, including torches, beef biltong and unauthorized products related to skin care and sexual enhancement.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
Do these exercises for core strength if you can't stomach doing planks
Planks are one of the most effective exercises for strengthening your midsection, as they target all of your major core muscles: the transverse abdominis, rectus abdominis, external obliques and internal obliques. Yet despite the popularity of various 10-minute plank challenges, planking is actually one of the most dreaded core exercises, according to many fitness experts.
Grandparent scam: London, Ont., senior beats fraudsters not once, but twice
It was a typical Tuesday for Mabel Beharrell, 84, until she got the call that would turn her world upside down. Her teenaged grandson was in trouble and needed her help.
Polar ice is melting and changing Earth's rotation. It's messing with time itself
One day in the next couple of years, everyone in the world will lose a second of their time. Exactly when that will happen is being influenced by humans, according to a new study, as melting polar ice alters the Earth’s rotation and changes time itself.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
NEW 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire': A crowd pleaser that turns it up to 11
Hot on the heels of last year's 'Godzilla Minus One' comes 'Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,' the first ever Academy Award winner in the giant reptile's decades-long film career.