troubleshoot concerns, realize their yield potential and enhance soil health. “We offer the whole package — complete farm care,” he says. BUILDING TRUST AND BOOSTING THE BOTTOM LINE Every farmer has been faced with increasing production costs, and in many cases, outsourcing field work makes financial sense now more than ever. “Especially for livestock farmers,” says Luymes, noting many OPACA members are geographically located in livestockconcentrated areas of the province. “Many customers focus their attention inside the barn and trust their fieldwork to us. Between production costs and labour shortages, farmers are increasingly relying on us to provide our expertise and technology to complement their farm operations.” Like VanZandwyk, the average OPACA-member client might operate 500 acres or less. In many situations, these farmers have limited family or labour support or work off farm and rely on a contractor for help. “I can’t even afford an older model combine or used equipment parts when I compare what I spend on custom operators,” says VanZandwyk, explaining that while cost is a factor in his decision to outsource planting and harvesting, he believes the agronomic advice and access to new equipment, like precision planters are the greatest advantages of working with a professional agri-contractor. VanZandwyk says he is seeing yield increases that can easily be attributed to the custom operator’s equipment and an increase in input efficiencies — both key factors that support his bottom line. Handing over the responsibility of cropping and caring for the land can be challenging for some farmers. VanZandwyk admits it takes a different mindset and new communication skills. Like many who outsource services, he says his greatest challenge is not knowing when his contractor is coming, especially if the field is set to plant, rain is in the forecast, or the wheat is ready to be harvested. “Farmers aren’t patient, and it takes getting used to a new way of working; that’s why building trust and a relationship with your contractor is so important,” VanZandwyk explains. Working with two agri-contractors, one who manages his corn, wheat, and soybean acres and a second who takes care of his alfalfa, VanZandwyk has experience developing working relationships with each of them. Since VanZandwyk still manages his own tillage, fertilizer, and manure application, he relies on his grain crop contractor to build a customized cropping plan each year that accommodates the division of responsibilities. “We’re both ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 19 SEPTEMBER 2023 The agronomic advice and access to new equipment, like precision planters are the greatest advantages of working with a professional agri-contractor. Women’s Grain Symposium November 27 - 28, 2023 continued on page 20 Location: Delta Hotel, Guelph, Ontario Cost: $100 (includes 1 night hotel accomodation and all symposium events and meals) Full details and registration available at: www.gfo.ca/womens-symposium Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Women’s Grain Symposium is an event designed for our farmermembers and women in the grain sector of agriculture business. The symposium is an opportunity for meaningful networking, professional development, and leadership development. The 2023 Symposium will feature a workshop on developing a personal strategic plan and include sessions on risk management, the grain markets, and financial planning.
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