"Canada: "Organic crop yields higher than average"

Organic farmers typically run on a slightly later seeding and harvesting schedule than conventional farmers, but they are still well into harvest. “My harvest is about halfway done,” said Ken Kessler, who farms near Pangman. Kessler grows organic barley, oats and flax and he is pleased with his crop so far. He said his flax has done the best of all his crops. “The yields are definitely above average, for sure,” said Kessler. He said organic farming doesn’t typically produce yields as high as conventional farming, generally about 20 per cent less, but that he still has “pretty good crops.”

Kessler is hoping he’ll be done with harvest in about two weeks, but said that time frame is heavily dependent on weather. “Weed control was a challenge this year,” said Kessler. He said the insects were numerous in some areas but didn’t seem to do a lot of damage.

“Prices (for organic crops) are starting to soften a bit but they’re still above the 10-year average,” said Kessler. “I can’t complain.” Grain movement in the organic sector is moving smoothly also. Kessler said he takes most of his crops to Lang or Mossbank and they get sent on from there, but he has had no trouble delivering any of his crop.

Source: weyburnreview.com