Cold weather affecting B.C. farms, could lead to price increases
Vancouver Island's less-than-perfect spring weather is doing more than dampening people's spirits, farmers say it is also having a significant impact on their operations.
At Sieffert's Farm in Comox, B.C., staff are preparing to open their produce stand for the season on June 7, far past when it normally opens.
"We're opening our farm market tomorrow and that's the latest in over 40 years," said owner Bob Sieffert.
"It's probably the worst sustained cold and wet spring that I remember," he said.
The 2022 growing season is behind schedule by several weeks and vegetables like corn, which should be 'knee-high' in height, are only centimetres tall.
"Things like spinach that would normally love this weather didn't like it, it was too cold, so I don't know that we'll open with spinach," said Charlene Sieffert.
"You got to have the ground that you can get on. We're sinking tires in places that should be bone-dry right now, we should be irrigating," she says.
REGIONAL CHALLENGE
It's not just farmers in the Comox Valley nor Vancouver Island that are experiencing problems. Coombs Old Country Market produce manager Hayley Jansen says she's hearing consistent complaints from the dozen or so growers she deals with in B.C. and Washington state.
"They are struggling to even give us information as far as what the summer's going to look like, price-wise, quality-wise, availability," Jansen said.
She says in addition to the delays, some pricing increase will also need to be passed along due to transportation costs.
The company's assistant manager says local produce is only now starting to hit their shelves.
"A lot of it is still imported from the southern states right now," said Benoit Lefebre.
"We're just starting to get the local stuff. Normally we're in full flight, June and July, where the majority of our store is local."
A woman shops in a grocery store in Coombs, B.C., on June 6, 2022. (CTV News)
Given the weather, worker shortages, and increased costs, Jansen says this is a good opportunity to support island farmers.
"It is a great time to support the local farmers 'cause they're still working just as hard as they always do, if not harder then they always do and I think we better be there and support them," she said.
When the Sieffert Farm stand opens Tuesday it will be done with a shortage of staff the owners are still looking to fill.
The B.C. government says it offers farmers annual insurance for crop protection. Details and applications for the insurance can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.