Quebec's beet growers are harvesting their crop right now after a lengthy delay to the season. Current conditions have been favorable for the crop however, and growers say the fields are healthy and the beets are in good condition. The expectation is for a reasonable harvest volume.
"We have already started harvesting our beets and the crop is so far looking good," shared Real Paquin of D Farm. "Our season started in August and we typically have beets available until February or March, although some growers will go longer. This year's crop is certainly not a bumper crop, but we have reasonable volume and quality is good."
D Farm owners Martin Herren and Ines Thoos
Rain was a problem
The rain was not on the side of growers this year. The initial cause for the delayed season was rain and cool weather at planting time. The result of this was a two to three week delay right up until harvest. "When we planted we had horrible weather, with cold temperatures and rain causing the delay," Paquin noted.
He went on to say that the growing season during summer saw very little rain, which is unusual for Quebec. The warm and dry weather was not what growers had hoped for, but in the end, the crop has turned out well. "We lacked water all summer. So this year, it rained when we didn't want it, and then it didn't rain when we did. But thankfully, this has now passed and in the end we had a good result."
Johanne Lavoie and Real Paquin
Storage crop harvest to start soon
Currently, growers are packing out beets for the fresh market, but shortly they will begin stockpiling it for the coming months. For Canadian growers, it's vital that all beets come out of the ground before the first frost, as that may be the last opportunity to harvest before winter sets in and the ground freezes.
"When we start our harvest season, we only harvest what we need for selling," Paquin explained. "Now that October is arriving, we will start to harvest our storage crop for the coming months. Many of our beets are sold on the export market. We also have our waxed rutabagas and parsnips on offer."
For more information:
Real Paquin
D Farm
Ph: +1 (450) 439-2983
real@dfarm.ca
www.dfarm.ca