P.E.I. farmers feeling positive, optimistic mid-way through 2023 season

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The 2023 farming season in P.E.I. has had its ups and downs, however total, some farmers within the province say they’re happy with the climate situations up to now. 

July was a record-breaking month for top temperatures on the Island, in accordance with a publish issued on the Setting Canada website, which confirmed temperatures to be greater than 3.3 C above common, half a level above the earlier file set in July 1947. 

Potatoes

Nevertheless, the province additionally noticed a number of important rainfalls all through the month, which Greg Donald, common supervisor of the P.E.I. Potato Board, stated has created superb rising situations in some areas. 

“We had greater than regular rainfall within the jap a part of P.E.I. from East Prince to East Level, after which west we had lower than regular,” Donald advised SaltWire on Aug. 3. 

It’s a reverse scenario from the beginning of the season, the place there was heavier rain in Prince County, western and far of Queens County, he added. 

“West and central may positively use a shot of rain, however that apart, the crop seems to be fairly good thus far proper throughout the Island.” 

For potato farmers, the center level of the season, which falls in late July and early August, is a crucial time as it’s usually when the crops start to supersize. 

“We’re in that crucial interval of tuber bulking,” stated Donald. “From now till fall, it’s about ensuring they’re bulking correctly.” 

Potatoes will not be the one crop in P.E.I. benefiting from the recent and moist climate. 

Different crops

Lori Robinson, farm supervisor at Eric C. Robinson Inc. in Albany, advised SaltWire on July 5 her crops of soybeans and barley have additionally been having fun with the situations seen all through July. 

“It’s type of been a topsy-turvy rising season, however within the coronary heart of the rising season we’ve definitely seen some enchancment in climate,” stated Robinson. 

Robinson is a sixth-generation farmer and has been farming for greater than 30 years. Regardless of the current heat climate, she stated the beginning of the season was one of many coldest and driest she had ever witnessed. 

“Particularly within the southern a part of P.E.I., Might was positively one of many driest months. Then June got here alongside, and I wouldn’t discuss with it as horribly moist, nevertheless it was type of crabby and dreary,” she stated. 

“The heavy rainfalls will not be superb for rising, however once more, you’re getting the soil damp and the foliage damp, and in these excessive heats it definitely helps to chill them down and create an surroundings the place the crops can thrive.” – Lori Robinson, farm supervisor 

The heavy rains seen all through July have been good for her vegetation, however since soybeans require little moisture and barley vegetation may be top-heavy when in foliage, the showers have brought about some harm. 

“A few of these heavy downpours can create flat spots on crops with heavy kernels shaped on the prime,” stated Robinson. 

“The heavy rainfalls will not be superb for rising, however once more, you’re getting the soil damp and the foliage damp, it definitely helps to chill them down in these excessive heats and create an surroundings the place the crops can thrive.” 

Feeling optimistic

That stated, Robinson stated she feels optimistic about the remainder of the season. 

“As growers, we’re all the time involved in regards to the climate and patterns,” she stated. 

“You by no means actually know with a majority of these issues.” 

Donald agrees. 

“The fields look stunning, we’ve obtained super vegetative development, however that would all change with an early chilly snap. We’re preserving our fingers crossed.”  – Greg Donald, P.E.I. Potato Board 

“The fields look stunning. We’ve obtained super vegetative development however that would all change with an early chilly snap,” he stated. “We’re preserving our fingers crossed.”

Rafe Wright is a reporter with SaltWire in Prince Edward Island. He may be reached by e mail at [email protected] and adopted on Twitter @wright542.