Always read and follow label directions. Miravis® Neo refers to Miravis® 300 SE fungicide. Miravis®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2025 Syngenta. Harness the power… Give corn yield & quality the jolt it needs. LEARN MORE ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER COVER STORY 9 “With sustainability, it’s certainly good for the soil, so if keeping the soil green is good for the environment, then it’s really good,” says Barlow. “I also like winter wheat because I underseed it with red clover every year, which adds another cover crop that will continue to keep the field green after the wheat comes off. It does a lot of good for the soil and makes nitrogen for next year’s crop.” As for whether this review can help boost the number of winter wheat acres in Ontario, Barlow again points to the economics: if wheat prices were $8 to $10 per bushel, it might be different. “I still think farmers know best,” he says. “We’re all trying to do our best for the environment and the best for our businesses, which, for the most part, are the same thing. Whatever we’re doing to get better yields is making the soil and the environment better.” IN CONCLUSION “Winter wheat has a tremendously balanced impact across the three dimensions of agricultural sustainability, Environmental, Economic, and Social,” says Mohammed. “Including it in the rotation is one of the most efficient ways to enhance the sustainability of grain production in Ontario.” Mohammed says that the environmental benefits of including winter wheat in the rotation is especially evident in Ontario, where spring storms are common. Having an established crop in the field during that period can help reduce the incidence of erosion. And from an economic sustainability standpoint, Mohammed points out that while the revenue tradeoff from growing winter wheat may not be immediately obvious, this highlights the need for incentives to encourage its inclusion in rotation systems. Doing so helps maintain the environmental benefits. Winter wheat also increases residue quality residue in rotation, which supports soil carbon sequestration—a key climate mitigation strategy. “This makes a strong case for promoting winter wheat as a climatesmart practice that benefits both farmers and the environment and should be considered in investment programs that support the adoption of sustainable farming practices,” concludes Mohammed. •
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