Image: L. Gomes / PML / Brett Sparkes of Sparkes Corn Barn.

By Laurice Gomes

Corn Season

Despite delayed start, Chilliwack farmer optimistic about corn season

Jul 27, 2022 | 3:38 PM

CHILLIWACK — That first tender crunch of Chilliwack corn can signify the dog days of summer, but residents in the Fraser Valley have had to wait until the end of July this year.

Brett Sparkes of Sparkes Corn Barn said thanks to wet weather their initial harvest was pushed back a couple of weeks. Sparkes said this has been the “latest” year yet.

“The crops were a bit delayed because of all the rain,” he said. “But now, with all the heat, everything’s probably going to pile up—it’ll all come at once.”

Tuesday morning (July 27) was the first day of corn sales for Sparkes Corn Barn, and the Chilliwack farmer said the response has been encouraging.

“Sales have been good the first day,” he remarked. “It’s a short window, and it really slows down around Labor Day.”

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Usually, by mid-July, the corn crops are fully grown and ready to be harvested and sold, but this year, Sparkes said, it was July 25, forcing the farmer to play catch-up.

“We’ll just keep the water on it and size up the cobbs,” he said. “Our yields so far haven’t been too far down; the crops look good.”

Sparkes said it is too early to determine how much of a loss will be incurred this season but commented that he is optimistic.

“We’ve lost two to three weeks of a six-week season,” he said. “We’re trying to move through all the fields we planted and leave as little waste as possible.”

For more information on corn sale locations, people can visit Sparkes Corn Barn.

Image: L. Gomes / PML / Tuesday morning (July 27) was the first day of corn sales for Sparkes Corn Barn.