Curling Club’s harvest fundraiser for a new ice plant

Ireland Farm Equipment hit the field last Saturday to harvest in a fundraising effort for the Vermilion Curling Club’s ‘Growing the Ice Plant Fund’.

“It’s great to be a part of raising funds for the ice plant because it benefits the whole community,” said Dylan Baddock, Ireland Farm Equipment (IFE) salesman.

This spring the Ferbey family donated land that was later seeded with Syngenta wheat, and the proceeds going to support the project.

In need of long term solution, the new ice plant will cost over $2 million.

With moisture level and straw conditions now adequate for harvest, Ireland Farm Equipment set out with a Fendt IDEAL 9 combine with a 40FT Honey Bee AirFLEX header for approximately eight hours. Southview Trucking used Rusylvia Transport trailers to haul six loads of grain to the Cargill elevator.

Throughout the year, several local people and businesses donated their time and equipment.

“Out of 104 acres of crop we harvested 5,800 bushels of wheat,” said Baddock.

“There was a good protein level and the grain received a number two grade which is average this year due to the early frost.”

IFE co-owner Audra Baddock said they’ve had great harvest weather and farmers are approximately 80 per cent done harvesting so they are beginning to be less stressed. In comparison, for the last four years she said they haven’t got their crops off before winter.

“There’s dry grain and decent yields. We’re very pleased with what the Ferbey family has done and with all of the local businesses that have contributed to make this a success,” said Baddock.

So far, the Town of Vermilion has committed $500,000 towards the project, and the Facility Enhancement Committee has raised $133,000.

The group should know in a couple of weeks what the fundraising total is from this yield.

To involve the community, the Curling Club had a sponsor board at the Vermilion Credit Union where people were able to purchase a one acre square for a $100. A few of the 100 squares remain so if you would like contribute you can stop by or call 780-853-2822.