Taber corn fields on June 18 (left) and July 4 (right). (Supplied by Johnson Fresh Farms)

By David Opinko/Lethbridge News Now

Taber corn should be ready by late July but weather could impact supply

Jul 8, 2020 | 11:09 AM

TABER, AB – You might only have to wait a few more weeks to enjoy the region’s world-famous Taber corn.

James Johnson, Owner and Operator of Johnson Fresh Farms, says they hope to have some stands set up by late July or early August.

Recent storms, however, have impacted some of their crops.

LNN reported last month that the Saturday, June 13 storms saw approximately 45 mm of golf ball-sized hail hit the Barnwell area.

Hail damage at Johnson Fresh Farms’ fields on June 14, 2020. (Johnson Fresh Farms)

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With 500 acres of growing area, Johnson told us that about half of their crops were impacted by the hail. Of that, he thinks around 50 per cent should still be sellable.

“It’ll be kind of a challenging year as far as the marketing will go this year because we’ll have times where our corn’s going to probably bunch up on us now. We’ll go from having none to a bunch because of the hail all of a sudden, you know, stuff we should’ve been selling at a certain time now will get pushed back and it’ll be coming on the same time as stuff that didn’t get hit with hail.”

This season has been cooler and wetter than usual, so he is hoping to see a couple of hot and sunny weeks right now.

He assures that they will be implementing social distancing measures at all of their corn stands, but the exact details have not yet been determined. You can follow Johnson Fresh Farms’ social media accounts for updates.

Johnson also discussed his recent conversations with Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter.

They talked about some of the challenges many farmers are facing right now such as hail damage and what the provincial government could or should be doing to support the agriculture sector.

He says last week’s announcement that Highway 3 will be twinned from Taber to Burdett was great news that will improve their capacity to move product out east.

Johnson was also happy to learn that the province is studying massive investments into the region’s irrigation system. He says, with what they have now, they’re “maxed out.”