Corn harvest yields promise of healthy profits for local projects
Clear skies and warm temperatures on Tuesday, October 20th, provided the perfect backdrop for a day of hard work and community spirit as volunteers gathered to harvest a field of corn planted to raise money for Grow Glenboro.
Grow Glenboro is an annual community initiative that brings people together for the common purpose of raising funds for local projects. Fifty per cent of the proceeds is earmarked for Glenboro Minor Sports, with the remaining funds going toward selected community projects.
With the corn field ready to harvest, three combines provided by Green Valley, Drummond’s Farm Equipment and Swan’s Fleet headed to the field on the north side of Highway 2, across from Apple’s Esso. Grain carts were provided by Wytinck Farms, Hamco Farms and D.S. Ag while trucks arrived in the morning to haul the harvested crop.
Trucks were provided by Cy River, G & R Transport, Jim Steele and Under the Hill Farms whose contributions kept the harvest moving.
Volunteers were kept fueled throughout the day thanks to the generosity of local businesses. Nutrien Ag Solutions sponsored the lunch of subs, doughnuts and drinks from the Glenboro Bakery, while D.S. Ag and Nutri Grow sponsored chicken and pizza from Chicken Chef in Carberry.
Volunteers didn’t just show up for the harvest though. The fundraising efforts began in the spring, when Under the Hill Farms seeded the crop and Derrick Shearer of Shearer Agronomy monitored the field throughout the growing season. Hamco Farms provided the NH3 application. Wytinck Farms, Jefferies Seeds and Herrmann Farms did the spraying while Mowat Farms took care of the fall disking.
Seed was provided by DS Ag, Pride and Nutrien Proven while BASF Bayer supplied crop protection products. Pembina Co-op took care of the fertilizer tank rental and delivery, as well as delivered fuel to the field. Guild Insurance covered the crop’s hail insurance premium.
Frank Stevens, one of the organizers, commented that it was not only a perfect day weather wise, but the yield was also looking very promising, at 176 bushels per acre on a dry basis. When asked how this year’s profit margins compare with last year’s crop of soybeans, Stevens replied that he expects the corn to generate even greater profits than last year.
While the final allocation of the proceeds has yet to be decided, 50% will support Glenboro Minor Sports. Members are also considering directing the remaining funds towards a special community project, continuing Grow Glenboro’s commitment to investing in the community.
Combines donated from Green Valley, Drummond’s Farm Equipment and Swan’s Fleet took off the corn crop on the north side of Glenboro for the Grow Glenboro project. Numerous businesses and individuals worked towards another successful fundraiser. PHOTO BY SUZANNE PADDOCK
