This year’s bitter harvest includes major delays and losses for
Alberta’s bean industry.
About 70 percent of the 55,000 acre dry bean harvest remains in the
fields of southern Alberta.
“We need two weeks of chinook weather to get them off,” said Cam
Bjerkseth at Agricore United’s bean plant at Bow Island.
A cool, wet spring and unsettled weather in August and September slowed
crop development. The beans are mature, but they are carrying between
19 and 20 percent moisture. They need to be less than 16 percent for
safe storage.
In a normal year the bean harvest is finished by the end of September.
However, frequent showers, snow and cool weather prevented many farmers
from getting onto fields.
