Bill Mowat summed up his surprise with this year’s corn crop in Ottawa-Carleton with "We live in the garden of Eden". Farmers there are harvesting 140 to 150 bushels an acre and it’s all number 2 or better. Moisture is measuring between 22 per cent and 25 per cent.

Statistics Canada estimated that grain corn yields have dropped below 100 bushels an acre for the second consecutive year, below the level where corn can be profitable. But in Ontario quality is higher almost across the board.

Dundas County didn’t do as well as Carleton. Yields were averaging between 110 and 120 bushels an acre, but moisture levels running between 19 per cent and 22 per cent translate into much lower drying charges than last year.

With prices running higher than last year, farmers in the county will be netting between $125 and $130 per tonne, Greg Vanden Bosch estimates. Last year after drying charges some farmers were getting as little as $80 per tonne.

Farms along rivers and lakes from Port Hope to Prescott County benefited from the "lake effect" receiving more rain and consequently higher yields. Larry Reaburn farming alongside the Ottawa River in Renfrew County will reap 120 bushels an acre but at nearby Douglas yields are expected to dip below the county average.

Prince Edward is the exception to the "lake effect". Most parts of the county stayed as dry as a bone. Rick Bean, foreman at Trenton Grain Elevators, says that while the corn is all Number 1 or Number 2, yields are running between 70 bushels and 80 bushels an acre. At Pontypool, Scott Swain with W.D. Thompson, says "There are a lot of sad faces". While some farmers are getting between 110 and 150 bushels an acre, the corn yield is down 30 per cent from a normal year. However, the corn is grading Number 2 and moisture level is normal. "We’re having trouble drying because we have a real full kernel," he said.

At Northumberland Grain, Dexter Harder says he’s competing with livestock farmers for the tight supply of grain corn. He estimates he’ll handle about 50 per cent of what he would have in a normal year.

In contrast, Prescott, Russell and Glengarry have fared better than they thought they would. Eric Metcalfe, elevator manager with MacEwen Grains, says yields are a little below average. But quality is excellent and moisture levels are running between 19 per cent and 23 per cent.

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