Local farmers say they’re ready to take on extreme weather fluctuations

Niagara farmers remain optimistic as they face the challenge posed by Canada’s often extreme fluctuations in weather.

Local farmers say the phrase “expect the unexpected” is quite familiar to them.

“Farming in Canada is not for the faint of heart,” said Phil Tregunno, chairman at the Ontario Tender Fruit Growers.

Farmers who have been at this for a while know that weather fluctuations are a mainstay of their industry.

Tregunno says you have to get a really hard freeze to take out an entire crop.

“One degree will take out a percentage, a couple of degrees below freezing will take a little more,” said Tregunno. “Unless you have a really severe freeze or something, you won’t lose a whole crop.”

There are many ways farmers manage changes in the weather, with one of them through planting different varieties.

“Some varieties we are growing now, compared to the last number of years, they’ll blossom a little later in some cases, so it gives us a little time,” said Tregunno.

Another method are wind machines, which tower above the plants.

“What they are designed to do is bring down that warmer air and it’s positioned ten metres up higher,” said Tregunno.

We all plan our lives around the weather, but farmers are especially tied to it financially.

They get into knowing that weather is going to fluctuate, and know that it might adversely affect their crops.

“It’s really hard to prepare for fluctuations, but as farmers you are prepared for the unexpected,” said Jack Romagnoli, co-owner of Romagnoli Farms.

Romagnoli and his farm is in the Niagara region. He understands that extreme fluctuation in the weather can damage crops or reduce overall production, but he says a farmer who’s all-in knows how to ride this wave.

“Three days ago, we had 27 degrees Celsius for one day,” said Romagnoli. “We had lots of wind and that actually caused our cherry blossoms to just completely pop out in one day.”

Romagnoli says some farmers even keep a journal to track weather and crops from year to year.

He says those with experience know how to plan ahead and to take whatever comes their way.

WATCH MORE: Niagara winery plans to expand as ‘elbows up’ movement bolsters sales