Think cool wet summers reduce crop yields? Think again!

[Glacier]

Last summer the Cariboo experienced one the wettest and coolest summers in a very long time (much like the Okanagan is experiencing this year). One the largest and most productive ranches up there, Alexis Creek Ranch, had so much hay that they bought all the calves they could from the many surrounding ranches, and fattened them up over the winter with their excess hay. (They paid the other ranches quite handsomely).

Usually, they sell all their calves in the fall, but with so much hay, they could afford to not only keep their own calves, but those of nearby ranches as well.

Source: a rancher, and former employer, who sold his calves to the C1 Ranch (Alexis Creek) last year. This 80 year old rancher tells me that he also produced record amounts of hay last year. It was also the first time in all his years of ranching that he didn't have to irrigate.

[Lady tehMa]

That area usually has a more arid summer though, right?

My tomatoes and peppers are struggling. Cool weather plants are doing okay though, swiss chard and kale particularly.