Why it's such a good corn season this year in Ontario
There's no shortage of corn this year in southern Ontario, thanks to some favourable growing conditions this season.
According to Shelley Hanes, the owner of Hanes Corn Maze in Dundas, the right amounts of rain, sunshine and heat has helped corn stalks grow faster than other years.
"Nothing grows in dry conditions, [it] needs water and sunshine and heat. So this year, we're very lucky," Hanes said.
Corn being sold at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market on Aug. 3. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)
According to the Eric D. Soulis Memorial Weather Station at the University of Waterloo, last month was the wettest July since 2014. Most of the month also saw temperatures in the high 20s.
Hanes said corn growth was well above knee high before the fourth of July this year. Adding the weather this summer has been almost opposite to last year.
"[it was] very dry last year. We had a lot of crops that just didn't produce. It was hardly worth running the combine over to get anything," Hanes said.
The Hanes Corn Maze in Dundas, Ont. was able to open early this year because of the crop's quick growth. (Dan Lauckner/CTV Kitchener)
Hanes was able to open her corn maze earlier than usual because of the quick growth. She has already created the corn maze this year, using a seven wonders of the world theme for customers.
"You'll bring your phone, and QR codes actually take you down from Google Earth, and you'll actually see the seven wonders at the different checkpoints," Hanes said.
Corn for sale at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)
At the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market, there is no shortage of corn being sold by vendors. Customers have been able to buy in bulk and are seeing some lower prices than other years.
"This guy here, I think stepped over the line. It's $1 each for the candy corn. I bought 10, and then he threw in about six that he told me are good for stir fry. So, I think I've come out ahead," Edward Avery, who bought corn at the market said. "It's fresh, it's right off the stock, and it's very good. Very tasty."
Aimee Wyman and Tender Wyman buying corn at the St. Jacobs Farmers’ Market on Aug. 3. (Colton Wiens/CTV News)
Other customers at the market were excited to get their fill of corn on Thursday.
"We usually, about every other day, have corn when it's out," Aimee Wyman said.
According to Grain Farmers of Ontario’s latest Market Trends Report on July 24, “it looks to be a very big corn yield” in the province, but it could be reduced if August sees very hot dry conditions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
‘I’ll make sure you live forever': Bill Vigars, the publicist responsible for promoting Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope passes away
Vigars passed away peacefully in a B.C. hospital earlier this week. He was 78.
Picture-perfect engagement under Manitoba northern lights
Sometimes love is written in the stars, but for one couple, it’s written in the aurora borealis.
5 things not to say to a grieving friend
It’s almost impossible to know what to say to someone in the throes of grief. We all want to say something comforting. Very few of us know what that is.
Report says at least 55 children died or disappeared at B.C. residential school
A British Columbia First Nation says at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending a residential school near Williams Lake, more than triple the number recorded for the institution in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register.
A vehicle dropping off a shooting victim struck 3 nurses, critically wounding 1
A vehicle fleeing a Philadelphia hospital after dropping off a gunshot victim early Saturday struck three nurses who were trying to treat the patient, injuring one critically, authorities said.
Murder charges for two men in connection with Old Montreal fire
Two young men are facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal fire in Old Montreal that killed Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her daughter Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie on Oct. 4.
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.
Possible Listeria contamination leads to the recall of Rana brand sauce: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.
Prime minister faces mounting pressure to step aside from inside caucus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will face mounting pressure from his caucus this week to step down from the leadership of the Liberal party.