‘Timelines did not allow for a delay’: Report released on Wilmot corn-crop destruction

There just wasn’t enough time to save a field of corn in Wilmot.

That’s according to a staff report coming before Regional Councillors next week.

The report is detailing the decisions behind the corn-crop destruction on farmland purchased by the Region this summer.

It’s a report councillors called for after community backlash about the crop being ploughed over in July.

The corn was 10-16 weeks away from being destroyed, and “due diligence timelines did not allow for a delay to allow the crop to reach full maturity,” according to the report.

The field on the 160-acres of farmland was in the process of undergoing an archeological assessment back in July.

Before any crops were destroyed, the region did reportedly look at numerous options to save the corn.

This includes reaching out to multiple livestock feed producers and a biofuel company.

“Prior to the removal of the crop, the Region made multiple efforts to arrange for the completion of the technical work without disruption before or after crops were planted or harvested,” reads the report.

Those efforts were found to not be viable.

The report notes, “due to various requirements of the parties associated with the land assembly process, it was not possible to delay the removal.”

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The details around those requirements or the parties involved is confidential, though the report does add, “This site is being assembled for future investment from a major employer. This land assembly is not occurring for any business/end user in particular at this time, yet on-going due diligence must continue to ensure the site is shovel ready.”

Currently, talks with Wilmot landowners continue as part of the Wilmot Land Assembly.

The reports concludes all future land preparations, such as ploughing, will be brought to Regional Council’s attention before getting underway.

Regional Council will discussion the report on Wednesday, September 25.