Canada Has Some Very Nice Farmland

My wife and I just got back from a five day motorcycle trip into British Columbia, Canada.  Our original plans called for us to make it all the way to Jasper and then work our way back down through Banff and then home.  However, Mother Nature decided  to throw one full day of rain at us and the weather forecast for Jasper called for more rain. 

Based on this, we decided to spend most of our time in the Okanagan Valley of Central British Columbia.  This is one of the major fruit and vineyard growing areas of Canada and I can tell you that it is also some of the most scenic country in North America.  The vineyards at the southern end of the valley are great to look at and visit.  Lake Okanogan is  over 85 miles long, but never gets wider than about 4 miles.

Our part of the Northwest is unlike most of the rest of the country.  Our rainfall is ahead of normal and most of our rivers are running at full capacity.  The Kettle River which runs into the Columbia River appeared to be twice as wide as normal since many pine trees had river water at least three feet or higher on their trunks.  The Columbia River is expected to reach full capacity by the end of the week and the dams will be letting the excess water overflow.

Based on this moisture, I am expecting the Soft White Wheat crop in the state to be near record yields.  Driving through the Palouse Country, the wheat and related legume crops all looked good.  Harvest will be starting soon.

If you ever get a chance to go to British Columbia, make sure to visit the Okanagan Valley.  You will not be disappointed.

 Paul Neiffer