Winemaker happy; cash croppers crying
North Aylmer farmers cursed with drought
Since the start of spring, precipitation is down 40% from last year. This dry spell is a blessing for certain cultivators, but a curse for others.
“A couple of days ago we had to install a surface irrigation system on 50 acres of pumpkins, just off Baillie Road. They were no longer growing. It cost us close to $10,000,” said Gaston Palerme, the patriarch of the Palerme family which farms in North Aylmer.
The Palermes own thousands of acres of farmland in North Aylmer, and focus on soy beans, barley, and canola, while keeping some land for livestock. The family is also one of Quebec’s top pumpkin producers, supplying Loblaws, Canada’s largest food retailer.
Mr Palerme explained that pumpkins require lots of heat and sun and an enormous amount of water. The family was able to use an old quarry to supply their water.
In April 2016, the Ottawa region received 26 mm of precipitation, 44 mm in May and 66 mm in June, for a total of 136 mm. In 2015, totals for April reached 64 mm, 62 mm for May, and 100 mm for June.
Mr Palerme added that pasture for livestock is also extremely dry and that their first hay cut was disappointing.
“It was miserable, and we still haven’t started our second cut. Our cereal grain is very short-stemmed. The barley, the corn and soya are all affected,” he said.
According to the 85-year-old farmer, this drought is among the worst, if not the worst, he’s seen. “I don’t remember it ever being this dry, and there’s no heavy rain in the forecast. What we’ve had, only a few drops, has barely cut the dust,” he noted.
According to John McCart, Quebec Farmers' Association (QFA) president and Lachute farmer, this drought was lining up to be one of the worst, until June 27.
“We got more rain in those two days than in the previous two months. The winter started off and finished dry. Spring was dry and cold. I got maybe two inches of rain from April 25 to June 25 -- and two inches in the last few days,” he told the Bulletin.
“Other parts of the province are not as bad as in Western Quebec. Historically, as in 2012, West Quebec has been dryer than other regions,” added McCart.
McCart says hay crops are most affected, with yields down 40 to 50%. “Most grain crops look OK in my area (Lachute),” he said.
Dave Reford, who raises beef in North Aylmer, is also worried. “We’re at a danger point. I have cut hay fields that have about half their normal volume. The growth in some pastures is so minimal that we are supplementing with hay from last year and some from the first cut,” he told the Bulletin.
Apart from hay, Mr Reford’s livestock and his family’s garden are also affected.
“Several of my seasoned cows have either had poorly performing udders or a drastic reduction in milk volume,” he said. “We delayed planting our vegetable garden as the soil was dust.”
One PERSON’S misfortune is another’s happiness
The lack of moisture is benefiting Aylmer wine producer Raymond Huneault from Clos Baillie.
“This drought means fewer fungal diseases in our vines -- less mildew, gray and black molds, etc. And fewer insects in the vines. We have some Japanese beetles, but these conditions are not ideal for them,” said Mr Huneault.
The North Aylmer winemaker reports that in the 2012 drought, his grapes produced superior wine.
“Our vines like dry weather. They go deep into the soil to get their water. The roots can go 10 metres down,” Mr Huneault told the Bulletin.
“It’s a great season so far. The grapes will mature and produce excellent wine! The same for our apples –- our cider orchard looks very promising. In 2012, our cider was so good it sold out quickly.”
Mr Huneault also has vines in Montbello which are doing well, but not as well as in Aylmer. “There’s more moisture there,” added Mr. Huneault, who has a stand in Aylmer’s Sunday Farmers’ Market.
