The risk of frost is still a concern, but the dry, sunny weather in the forecast this week could be just what the doctor ordered for farmers across the region.
Heavy rainfall from Thursday through Saturday soaked the region last week, falling on soil that was already saturated with water. The rainfall totals from the storm were as follows: 49mm in Windsor, 69mm in Belle River, 52 mm in Chatham, 50 mm in Harrow, 35 mm in Sarnia, and 47 mm in London.
Kent Federation of Agriculture President Ron Faubert says some fields may need to be replanted as a result of the heavy rainfall and the wheat crop could be in trouble too.
"Some of the areas that were struggling from water damage over the winter and early spring where it was just starting to turn around -- now they're back under water," says Faubert, adding the damage could still be limited. "Only where the water is laying -- that's where it's drowning out the wheat."
Farmers who have good drainage systems in place should come out OK, though, and so should the ones who decided to hold off on planting until after the storm passed.
"There's still lots of time for all crops to be planted," says Faubert. "Mother Nature always seems to turn things around and we can get going again."
That certainly appears to be the case this week.
Environment Canada calling for sunshine right up until Saturday and even then there is only a 40% chance of rain over the weekend.
Farmers who decided to start planting before the downpour are expected to be hit the hardest. Several crops are already in the ground including corn, soybeans, sugar beets, brussel sprouts, carrots, and onions.
Faubert says if any of those crops are lost because of the rain, it probably won't have an impact on the price you pay at the grocery store -- but it could have a direct effect on your neighbour's income this year.
"We're just a small area in this big world... what happens here may little or no impact on the availability of certain commodities," says Faubert. "But it definitely could affect the economy in this area... poor crop results means less money is being made by the agricultural community, which keeps going down the chain."
