Ontario farmers face wilted crops, lost profits due to severe drought
TORONTO — Farmers are facing smaller crops and higher costs as parts of southern and eastern Ontario suffer through severe drought that is having an impact on fruit and vegetable production.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) says the regions northeast of Toronto and south of Ottawa have reached levels of drought only expected at this time of year once every two decades.
The federal department, which gauges drought based on precipitation, temperature and evaporation data, says some corn and soybean farmers have already reported wilted plants and predict smaller crops this growing season.
Jason Verkaik, chairman of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, says it’s the most arid transition from June to July that he’s ever seen.