Company Award for Ingleside Kraft Employee

The doom and gloom being predicted for area farmers at the height of this summer’s drought, has not come to fruition locally and most area farmers are now wrapping up an early harvest season.

Archie Mellan, local councillor and Hulbert cash crop farmer, spoke with The Leader Monday about this year’s harvest. “Generally, I think most are pleasantly surprised,” said Mellan.

This year the soybean crop was about average on his farm. “The beans came through amazingly well,” said Mellan, explaining that they are more resilient to the drought conditions experienced this summer.

On his farm, the corn yield was about half a tonne per acre below the normal average. 

Mellan said the corn yields this year are very sporadic and directly reflect the amount and timing of the rain, explaining that those farms a little to the north of his farm seem to have even lower yields, while those to the south seem to have slightly higher yields.

“Those sporadic rains really made a difference,” said Mellan.

Although the corn harvest was below average, Mellan said, “We are satisfied with what we got. It’s a lot better than the doom and gloom they were forecasting back in July and August.”

The dry weather did allow the corn to mature and dry down quickly.

This year, his corn harvest was finished by the end of October, which is two or three weeks ahead of schedule for an average year.

Because prices are driven by the US market, droughts in that country mean that prices have been driven up. 

“So, the price makes up for the yield lost,” said Mellan.

“In this area, everybody’s down a bit, but we’re not too bad off. In other areas yields are down, 1-1.5 tonnes per acre, and it’s hard to recoup that.”

The farmers most affected by this year’s drought locally are dairy farmers, as there is a real shortage of forage. 

“The second cut of hay this year, was basically non-existent,” said Mellan. “I’ve seen them taking off hay into October, because they simply need the tonnage of feed. Maybe they can make up the difference with corn silage.” 

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A wave of residents, businesses, service clubs, and organizations have come together in recent days to support their fellow Canadians in need. The “Dundas County Supports Fort McMurray” Benefit Dance and Silent Auction will be […]

With all the exhibition spaces sold out in advance, and hundreds coming out to visit the annual show, the organizers of this year’s Home & Trade Show, held at the Morrisburg Arena April 17-18, count it a real success. 

There were 80 booths set up in the arena, the largest number of business and community entrants ever. The show was organized by the Chamber of Commerce. Tracey Veinotte chaired the 2015 Trade show committee made up of Chantal Burke, Canadian Tire, Grace McDonough, BIA  co-ordinator, Geraldine Fitzsimmons, general manager of the Chamber of Commerce and Clark Perry, Season Plus. Donnie Bowes of Upper Canada Playhouse, a member of the Chamber, chaired the Friday night opening ceremonies.

“There were a lot of new people at this year’s show,” said Geraldine Fitzsimmons. “I think the free admission, and the fact that exhibitors give out great gifts and prizes really have an effect on attendance. The feed back from the exhibitors was all positive. And I think that numbers of visitors were up from last year.”

“This is a great event,” said Tracey Veinotte, “and a new record of 80 booths set up: there was even a waiting list. Everyone involved worked very hard.”

Carl McIntryre, South Dundas Chamber of Commerce president, thanked the township, the council and all the exhibitors for their support of the Trade Show.  

Evonne Delegarde, mayor of South Dundas and all the members of the South Dundas Council joined the crowds in visiting the wide variety of services and businesses available in this area.

MPP Jim McDonell described the show as a “great job by the organizers,” while Eric Duncan, aide to MP Guy Lauzon said that “every year the Morrisburg Home & Trade Show just gets better and better.”

Singers from Timothy Christian School, led by principal Gary Postma, sang the national anthem to officially open the Trade Show. Visitors could also find a wide variety of food and beverages to sample throughout the event.

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