AUGUST 2025 www.OntarioGrainFarmer.ca ENVIRONMENT APRIL/MAY 2026 The power of 4R Ontario farmers are adopting science-based nutrient management
29 Business side Conversations with business experts 13 Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists APRIL/MAY 2026 volume 17, number 6 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER is published 9 times a year (December/January, February, March, April/May, June/July, August, September, October, and November) through Grain Farmers of Ontario. Distribution is to all Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmer-members. Associate Membership Subscription available upon request. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policies of Grain Farmers of Ontario. Seek professional advice before undertaking any recommendations or suggestions presented in this magazine. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065283. Return undeliverable items to Grain Farmers of Ontario, 679 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 4S2. © Grain Farmers of Ontario all rights reserved. Publisher: Grain Farmers of Ontario, Phone: 1-800-265-0550, Website: www.gfo.ca; Managing Editor: Kristy Nudds; Creative Specialist: Nicole Koopstra; Advertising Sales and Sponsorship Consultant: Joanne Tichborne 6 ON THE COVER Stormy skies ahead Treena Hein WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024 From the CEO’s desk FEEDING THE WORLD 4 A year in review Laura Ferrier 10 Market review 2022 - 2023 Blair Andrews 12 Business side Conversations with business experts 9 GrainTALK newsletter An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events 16 What do Canadians think about food? Mary Feldskov 14 Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists 23 European trade policies Ontario Grain Farmer 18 More winter barley acres Matt McIntosh 20 Grain contracts guide Mary Feldskov 22 Ontario Agricultural Conference 2024 Ontario Grain Farmer 24 Stronger leadership Rachel Telford 26 Good in Every Grain Updates on our campaign 30 Farming for world hunger Rebecca Hannam 28 172024 ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETINGS CHECK HERE FOR DATES AND TIMES DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024 volume 15, number 3 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMERis published 9 times a year (December/January, February, March, April/May, June/July, August, September, October, and November) through Grain Farmers of Ontario. Distribution is to all Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmer-members. Associate Membership Subscription available upon request. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policies of Grain Farmers of Ontario. Seek professional advice before undertaking any recommendations or suggestions presented in this magazine. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065283. Return undeliverable items to Grain Farmers of Ontario, 679 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 4S2. © Grain Farmers of Ontario all rights reserved. Publisher: Grain Farmers of Ontario, Phone: 1-800-265-0550, Website: www.gfo.ca; Managing Editor: Mary Feldskov; Production Co-ordinator: Kim Ratz; Advertising Sales and Sponsorship Consultant: Joanne Tichborne BIODEGRADABLE POLY 15-03 OGF DecemberJanuary 2023-24_OnGrainFarmer 2023-11-09 11:04 AM Page 3 4 From the CEO’s desk 18 GrainTALK newsletter An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events 34 What’s new with the Good in Every Grain campaign Putting the 4Rs to work on Ontario farms Owen Roberts 6On the cover INDUSTRY NEWS 10 Seeing where Ontario grain really goes Ibrahim Mohammed AGRONOMY 26 Decoding weed pressure in corn Ralph Pearce 30 Growing yields, sharing knowledge Alexandra Dacey SUSTAINABILITY 14 Are drains also habitat? Matt McIntosh 20 Pushing the intensity on wheat production Ralph Pearce 22 Europe adopting near-zero residue limit for agricultural imports Matt McIntosh
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER FROM THE CEO’S DESK 4 From the CEO's desk In an uncertain world, reliability matters. Global agriculture is increasingly shaped by geopolitics, supply chain disruptions, and shifting trade policies. In recent years, input costs, particularly fertilizer costs, have been affected by export restrictions, shipping disruptions, or conflicts half a world away. Yet every spring, Ontario grain farmers still head to their fields with the same goal: producing safe, sustainable crops that feed people, fuel transportation, and support economies here at home and around the world. That reliability starts with stewardship. For years, Ontario grain farmers have been focused on responsible fertilizer use. That approach is not only good for the environment -- it’s good business. Fertilizer is one of the largest input costs for grain farmers, and efficient nutrient use helps ensure every dollar invested delivers value. But those costs are under pressure. Global fertilizer markets are facing volatility driven by several factors, including tariffs imposed on imports to Canada, export restrictions in China, reduced production in Europe, and shipping disruptions in major fertilizerexporting regions in the Middle East. For farmers in Eastern Canada, this challenge is unfortunately not new. Grain Farmers of Ontario has made resolving this issue a priority in discussions with both the federal and provincial governments — including directly with our Federal Minister of Agriculture, Ontario’s Premier and Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. The message is straightforward: access to fertilizer is fundamental to food production in Eastern Canada. The recent volatility in global fertilizer markets is exposing the very challenge farmers have been warning about. Without reliable access to fertilizer at a reasonable price, farmers face greater uncertainty just as they prepare for spring planting. For several years now, Grain Farmers of Ontario has raised concerns with government about fertilizer supply risks and the structural disadvantages Canadian farmers face compared to competitors in other jurisdictions. Tariffs and sanctions on fertilizer from Russia and Belarus continue to increase costs for Canadian farmers. At the same time, producers in the United States and other countries can access these inputs without similar restrictions. That creates a clear competitiveness gap. Farmers cannot influence geopolitical conflicts or global shipping routes. But they can control how responsibly they manage their land and inputs. In Ontario, the results of that stewardship reach far beyond the farm gate. Ontario corn, for example, plays an important role in Canada’s growing biofuels sector. Ethanol blended into gasoline helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions while strengthening domestic energy security. Biofuels are an important market for farmers, and a significant environmental success story. Policies such as Canada’s Clean Fuel Regulations have helped drive demand for ethanol, creating a stable market while improving the carbon footprint of transportation fuels. With the right investment environment, Ontario has an opportunity to expand that success even further. New investment in ethanol production would support rural economies, strengthen domestic fuel supplies, and help Canada meet its climate goals. Crosby Devitt, CEO Grain Farmers of Ontario When input markets are destabilized, it becomes harder for farmers to plan and invest with confidence. Soybeans grown in Ontario tell another part of the sustainability story. Through the Canadian Sustainable Soy program, developed by Soy Canada with Grain Farmers of Ontario as a founding member, international buyers can verify that Canadian food-grade soybeans are produced using responsible environmental and labour practices that meet rigorous sustainability standards. Initiatives like this, along with 4R nutrient stewardship and biofuel production, demonstrate that Ontario farmers are already delivering the environmental performance that markets are asking for. But those efforts depend on a policy environment that supports long-term investment. Farmers make decisions years in advance. Investments in soil health, crop production systems, and farm equipment are long-term commitments. When input markets are destabilized by tariffs or global disruptions, it becomes harder for farmers to plan and invest with confidence. The solution is not more uncertainty – it is policy stability that allows farmers to keep doing what they do best. Ontario farmers are demonstrating that productivity and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. And in a world looking for reliable suppliers of food, fuel, and agricultural products, that leadership matters more than ever. •
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Owen Roberts Putting the 4Rs to work on Ontario farms The renewed 4R program links profitability, sustainability, and verified practices ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 6 Renewed industry collaboration and growing retailer certification are expanding Ontario’s 4R Nutrient Stewardship program, giving grain farmers practical tools, trusted advice, and stronger environmental credibility.
continued on page 8 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 7 Efficient nutrient management is an economic, environmental, and personal priority for northern Ontario grain farmer Jason Seed. The District 15 director for Grain Farmers of Ontario believes science-based management approaches and tools, such as the AgriSuite tool from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Agribusiness (OMAFA), that promote sustainability are good for his family, for his bottom line, and for Ontario’s environment image. Seed works closely with experts at Coop Regionale de Nipissing- Sudbury’s office in Thornloe to create a nutrient management plan suited for his family farm. And with sustainability in mind, Seed is enthused about the co-op’s efforts to achieve 4R Nutrient Stewardship program certification, to give his farm’s stewardship plan an even stronger foundation. The program, which received its third renewal in Ontario in January, has grown steadily since its inception in 2018. It now involves almost 40 agricultural retailers and 75 certified crop advisors who certify 1.5 million acres of farmland in Ontario for having sound stewardship management. With fertilizer prices skyrocketing and farming practices under increasing scrutiny, Seed believes the 4R program is now poised to attract more producers. “The drive for sustainability is here to stay,” says Seed, who consults on his nutrient management plan with local agronomist and crop specialist Tanja Seed at the coop. “Most farmers are already involved in some 4R practices, and this evidence-based program gives our management decisions even more rigour, credibility, and a firm foundation.” Adds agronomist Tanja: “We want to be involved in the certification program, to be able to pass on more knowledge and support to our customers.” 4R certification is a voluntary program that evaluates Ontario agricultural retailers and nutrient service providers on sustainable 4R Nutrient Stewardship practices. Not all retailers are certified – only those who go through a certification process. Retailer practices are evaluated every two years through a private third-party audit by the Agri-Chemical Warehouse Standards Association that analyzes the four pillars of accreditation: training and education of staff, nutrient recommendations, nutrient application, and documentation. Marty Vermey, senior agronomist with Grain Farmers of Ontario, says the only way acres get certified is through a certified retailer. A certification program ensures customers can access recommendations from experienced nutrient service providers rooted in the 4Rs. “4R certified retailers are trusted advisors of both 4R knowledge and sustainable practices,” says Vermey. “When growers work with 4R certified retailers, they should know they are getting the most up-to-date information about responsible nutrient stewardship as certified dealers are required to maintain their 4R knowledge with continuing education as part of their accreditation.” The program is built on four principles for optimal fertilizer application, which are well known to Ontario grain farmers: Right Source, Right Rate, Right Time, and Right Place. Vermey says these principles help growers apply nutrients more efficiently, supporting strong crop performance while minimizing nutrient losses to the environment. NEW YEAR, RENEWED AGREEMENT In January, Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, Fertilizer Canada, the Ontario Agri Business Association, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture and OMAFA renewed a memorandum of cooperation for the 4R Stewardship program. Through the memorandum, Fertilizer Canada says the involved parties will advance the implementation and adaptation of the 4R program in Ontario in collaboration with 4R certified retailers. “This effort supports farmers in completing 4R Nutrient Stewardship Management Plans and ensures the delivery of 4R-aligned agronomic advice,” it says. Crosby Devitt, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario, calls the agreement a “powerful example” of what can be achieved when farmers, industry, and government work together. In the big picture, he says 4R program collaboration improves soil health, protects water quality, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions in support of climate-smart agriculture. “The program’s renewal reflects our continued commitment to nutrient management practices that protect the environment while supporting productive, resilient grain farms across Ontario,” he says. “It’s a very creative, novel approach, involving all stakeholders. Jason Seed and son Elliott speak with agronomist Tanja Seed at Coop Regionale de Nipissing- Sudbury’s outlet in Thornloe.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 8 continued from page 7 The agreement reinforces the shared commitment of industry and government to advance sustainable agricultural practices that protect Ontario soil and water, while supporting farm profitability.” Participation in the 4R Nutrient Stewardship program is voluntary. It’s practiced nationally, but provinces individualize parts of their own agreements to reflect their agricultural production systems and unique regional climatic, soil, and operational conditions. Ontario’s approach is unique. It’s the only province whose program is based on actually certifying nutrient service providers -- including agricultural retailers and certified professionals -- on their implementation of 4R practices through independent third-party audits of almost 40 protocols. These protocols include auditable recommendations and documentation for nutrient management, nutrient applications onto soil, and staff and grower training. HERE’S HOW IT WORKS Growers work with a crop advisor at a 4R certified retailer to create tailored nutrient plans based on individual soil tests that reflect each farm’s soil conditions and variabilities. Tillage and fertilizer application practices and timing are discussed – for example, avoid fertilizer applications on snow-covered ground and incorporate fertilizer after applications-- along with product recommendations such as nitrogen stabilizers, and practices like cover cropping. Russel Hurst, executive director of the Ontario Agri Business Association, says about 40 hours per year of administrative work is required on retailers’ behalf to represent the 4R program. But, he adds, it’s worth it, because growers’ interest in 4R certification is expanding. Some participating retailers say they have doubled the number of soil samples they’ve analyzed since becoming part of the 4R program. As part of the program, they are privy to a bevy of research and field advice that they can then share with clients. Hurst believes the renewed agreement reflects the changing role of extension, and farmers’ desire for evidenced-based practices that add credentials, prestige, comfort, and confidence to production. “Growers are counting on retailers more now for agronomic advice,” he says. “Ontario Agri Business Association members, who serve as fertilizer suppliers and trusted advisors, are providing sustainable third-party programming. They underscore that science-based nutrient management is good practice and part of farmers’ corporate responsibility. It’s fundamental to the long-term sustainability of Ontario’s farms, watersheds, and environment.” ONTARIO FARMERS ARE TUNED INTO 4R CONCEPTS The most recent Fertilizer Canada fertilizer use survey, from 2023, shows that more than 80 per cent of the 500 farmers surveyed are either somewhat familiar or very familiar with 4R concepts. A little over 70 per cent said they believe their fertilizer practices comply with 4R stewardship. The same percentage say the main benefits of having a 4R plan in place is using the best environmental stewardship practices. However, just 43 per cent say they are working with a 4R certified dealer, and even less, 35 per cent, are working with a 4R nutrient management specialist certified crop advisor. According to the Fertilizer Canada survey, 43 per cent of respondents say they don’t have the right equipment. Just over 30 per cent say they lack information and knowledge to adopt 4R practices, and 21 per cent believe it’s too expensive. Survey respondents said the main barrier to putting a formal 4R plan in place is a lack of incentive, followed by a lack of information and knowledge, and the feeling that a 4R plan is too complex or onerous to implement. BEST PRACTICES FOR NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT • Conduct soil tests at least once every four years in areas no larger than 25 acres. • Do not apply nutrients on frozen or snow-covered ground. • For all nutrient recommendations and/or applications, include a minimum setback distance near known sensitive areas, such as tile inlets, wellheads, gullies, and water bodies. Document and discuss the setbacks with the fertilizer applicator. • Urea or UAN broadcast on bare ground or not applied to a growing crop must be incorporated within 24 hours. It is recommended that it be applied with enhancedefficiency nitrogen sources. • Phosphorus injection, subsurface banding, or broadcasting with immediate incorporation are the recommended placement methods unless the risk of phosphorus loss to surface water has been demonstrated to be low. • No broadcast applications of crop nutrients should occur if the weather forecast indicates more than a 50 per cent chance of rain over one inch in the next 12-hour period. • Record all nutrient management planning recommendations and applications.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 9 - Quicker germination - Enhanced root development - Increased abiotic stress tolerance visit us online: alpinepfl.com or call: 1-844.655.BIOK (2465) ALPINE G421-S 7-24-4 1S Powered by: ADDRESSING PUBLIC CONCERNS The 4R Nutrient Stewardship program was launched in 2008, in response to some troubling circumstances. Lake Erie’s western basin was experiencing nutrient-fed algae blooms, giving agriculture a black eye. Phosphorus- and nitrogen-laden farmland runoff from both sides of the border was not the only culprit. But generally, the public was angry at agriculture, fueled by the neonicotinoid insecticide controversy. Rumblings were surfacing about legislation to limit input use. Public outcries to keep the Great Lakes “drinkable, swimmable and fishable” echoed everywhere, bringing Canadian and U.S. agricultural interests together on an action plan. After a test run in Ohio, the program expanded to Ontario and the 4R certification program was born. And now, changing weather patterns are causing problems. A 2024 study by University of Waterloo researchers Nandita Basu and Nancy Goucher of 300 streams in the Great Lakes basin showed an increase in dissolved phosphorus concentrations. which they attribute to warmer winters. “When climate change results in warmer winters, the soil thaws earlier, releasing phosphorus or nitrogen that would otherwise remain bound until spring and summer,” they wrote in The Conversation. “But the plants are dormant during the winter, so the phosphorus released runs off into streams and lakes, where it sits until temperatures rise, providing ready fuel for the algal blooms. This differs from the past when phosphorus wasn’t released until spring and summer, allowing plants to absorb it for growth and preventing it from running off into rivers.” They say this means we will see algal blooms occur earlier in the season and more frequently. Plus, they say blooms will more widely appear in lakes across the Great Lakes basin, including previously unaffected water bodies such as reservoirs and small pristine lakes. Off-farm concerns about sustainability and good production continue to grow. In February, members of the Canadian Centre for Food Integrity appeared before the federal Standing Committee on Agriculture and Forestry, as part of its of food security study, and underlined the need for public trust in the food system. “Strong public trust in Canada’s agriculture and agri-food system is essential for innovation , economic growth and national resilience,” said Centre representatives Ashley Bruner and Lisa Bishop-Spencer. “Public trust is not just communication, it is our social license to function as a society. When Canadians trust their food system, they are more willing to support the innovation that allows Canada to feed the world.”•
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER INDUSTRY NEWS 10 A behind-the-scenes tour of the fertilizer terminals, processors, research stations, and export infrastructure that connect Ontario farmers to global markets. For most Ontario grain farmers, the journey of their crop ends when the truck leaves the yard. From that point forward, grain enters a complex supply chain network of processing facilities, transportation networks, manufacturers, and global markets — systems most producers rarely see firsthand. The Grains in Action tour offers a rare opportunity to step inside this broader agricultural ecosystem. Over several days, participants follow Ontario grain and crop inputs through fertilizer terminals, processing plants, export infrastructure, research institutions, and finally back to seed production. Grains in Action is a program developed by Grain Farmers of Ontario for young farmers, providing them with the opportunity to gain knowledge about the end uses of the grains they grow. Participants also learn about the role of Grain Farmers of Ontario within the grain industry. I had the opportunity to join tour participants for the 2026 Grains in Action event, held Feb. 9-12. The experience revealed just how interconnected modern agriculture has become, and how central Ontario farmers are to keeping the entire value chain moving. POWERING PRODUCTION: FERTILIZER SUPPLY AT SCALE One of the early stops on the tour highlighted the immense logistics behind nutrient delivery at Sollio Agriculture’s Hamilton terminal. The first thing we noticed at the fertilizer terminal is the size: those storage domes rising like low mountains along the water. Ibrahim Mohammed Seeing where Ontario grain really goes The Grains in Action tour gives young farmers a firsthand look at the vast network that moves Ontario grain through the global food system Photos: Nicole Koopstra
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER INDUSTRY NEWS 11 Somewhere behind the scenes, product that arrived by vessel headed toward fields across Ontario. It’s easy to think of fertilizer as something that simply appears each spring. Standing inside Sollio Agriculture’s Hamilton terminal makes it clear how much coordination it takes to make that happen. Five massive domes hold thousands of tonnes of dry fertilizer — urea, MAP, and potash — while nearby tanks store liquid UAN, some of it blended on site to meet regional demand. During peak season, the terminal runs around the clock, loading truck after truck in a tightly choreographed operation. Behind every timely nutrient application is an industrial system working continuously. And this was only the first layer of the grain value chain. FROM FIELDS TO FACTORIES If the fertilizer terminal shows how crops are powered, the processing plants show what those crops become. At ADM, grain moves through milling and export systems where nothing is casual. Moisture levels are checked. Falling number and protein content matter. Uniformity isn’t a preference, it’s a requirement. A small variation in grain quality can ripple through an entire processing line. At Ingredion, corn is no longer just corn. It becomes starches, sweeteners, and specialty ingredients used in foods most Canadians eat every day, such as bread, beverages, sauces, and packaged goods. What struck many participants wasn’t just the scale, but the precision. Each product stream requires consistency that starts with how grain is grown and handled on the farm. Ontario grain, it became clear, isn’t simply sold, it’s engineered into food systems. GRAIN AS CRAFT The tour then shifted from industrial scale to craftsmanship. Inside J.P. Wiser's, grains are fermented and distilled into Canadian whisky, where consistency of raw ingredients is essential for maintaining flavour year after year. Nearby at Paris Beer Company, barley and specialty grains shape smaller-batch beers, where subtle differences in grain profile influence taste. The same crops grown across Ontario fields end up powering both global food supply chains and local craft production. It was a reminder of just how versatile grain really is. WHERE GRAIN LEAVES ONTARIO The value chain doesn’t end at processing. Along the waterfront, bulk vessels line up at export terminals, waiting to be loaded. At the St. Lawrence Seaway, grain moves through one of the most efficient transportation corridors in North America, connecting Ontario farms to international markets. At G3 Hamilton, grain is received, stored, and loaded with precision to meet customer specifications worldwide. Discussions with London Agricultural Commodities made it clear how global forces shape local outcomes. Weather in South America, shipping disruptions, political tensions, and currency shifts -- all of these influence what Ontario farmers are paid. The grain in those ships carries the weight of global markets.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER INDUSTRY NEWS 12 35 Stronger Crops. Lower Stress. Higher Yields. Scan to See Real Farm Results CropBooster® RESEARCH THAT FEEDS THE SYSTEM Between production and trade lies research, the quiet work that improves every season. At the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, one of our tour stops, crop trials, soil health studies, and agronomy training connect science directly to on-farm practice. Students move between classrooms and fields. Plots are measured, sampled, and compared. It’s here that yield improvements, nutrient efficiency, and climate resilience are tested long before they reach commercial fields. BACK TO THE BEGINNING: SEED PRODUCTION The final stop brought the tour full circle, back to where the grain value chain truly begins. At Pride Seeds, participants walked through the intricate process of seed production, a level of management far beyond standard grain farming. Seed corn fields are carefully mapped, planted with male and female rows, and managed intensively. Timing is everything. Male plants must release pollen exactly when female plants are ready to receive it. Crews move through fields detasseling. Off-type plants are removed to preserve genetic purity. Fungicides are used to protect developing seed. Once pollination is complete, male rows are destroyed so resources flow into seed development. Harvest doesn’t wait for full field drying. Seed is taken at specific moisture levels and dried at the plant to preserve quality. Seed soybeans follow a similar and equally controlled path, from pedigree selection to plot management, rogueing, sampling, and strict quality checks. What stood out was how much labour, planning, and precision goes into producing the genetics that drive Ontario yields. Every hybrid planted across the province begins in fields like these. THE BIGGER PICTURE The Grains in Action tour wasn’t about visiting impressive facilities, though there were many. It was about understanding how deeply connected Ontario agriculture has become. Fertilizer arrives by ship and is blended overnight for spring planting. Grain becomes food ingredients, beverages, and exports within months. Research improves next season’s performance. Seed systems determine long-term productivity. Each step relies on the one before it. For farmers, the takeaway is simple but powerful: Ontario grain is not just grown, it moves through a living system of infrastructure, people, technology, and global markets. Quality matters. Timing matters. Sustainability increasingly matters. And behind every bushel is an entire network working to keep grains in action. Ibrahim Mohammed is Grain Farmers of Ontario’s sustainability and environmental specialist. •
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER CROP SIDE 13 With support from the Grain Farmers of Ontario, an Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA)-led project tested 95 fields for herbicide-resistant weeds in 2025. KEY FINDINGS FROM THE PROJECT Group 5 resistance: • Most pigweed species tested were resistant to atrazine (a triazine), but still controlled by metribuzin (e.g., Sencor — a triazinone). Waterhemp: • 47 new field populations were tested. • All were herbicide resistant. • Most had multiple group resistance. • Since 2020, Ontario has found 20+ new resistant waterhemp fields every year. Pigweed (Group 14 resistance): • 15 new populations resistant to Group 14 herbicides (e.g., Reflex) were found in: Brant, Chatham-Kent, Hamilton-Wentworth, Huron, Oxford, Perth, Prescott, and Russell United counties. Common ragweed: • Five populations resistant to Group 14 herbicides were found in: Middlesex, Oxford, and Prince Edward counties. • Two populations in Middlesex and Prince Edward counties were resistant to Groups 2, 5, and 14. Ryegrass (Lolium): • Two glyphosate-resistant populations were confirmed in the Region of Waterloo. Palmer amaranth: • Two new detections: Lambton and Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry United counties. • The Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry population was resistant to Groups 2, 5, 9, 14, and 27 (Pursuit, Aatrex 480, glyphosate, Reflex/ Blazer, Callisto). The Lambton population has not yet been tested. Herbicide-resistant weeds found in 2025 Mike Cowbrough Crop side with... Mike Cowbrough, Weed Specialist – Field Crops with OMAFA MANAGEMENT RESOURCES Integrated weed management strategies and herbicide options are available on OMAFA’s Crop IPM and Crop Protection Hub websites. Search the resistance database yourself A searchable database with 30 years of Ontario resistance testing is available at the Crop Protection Hub (scroll to the bottom of the home page). You’ll also find instructions on: • What resistance tests are available • How they differ, and • Where to send samples. The majority of bioassay testing in pigweed species, such as Palmer amaranth shown here, was resistant to atrazine, but susceptible to metribuzin. Photo: supplied.
Matt McIntosh Are drains also habitat? Water management professionals support rethinking incentives for improved agricultural drains Two-stage designs, Species at Risk pressures, and questions about cost-sharing are prompting fresh debate about how municipal drains serve farmers, communities, and ecosystems. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 14 Photo: Courtesy Town of Innisfil
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 15 continued on page 16 Southern Ontario’s drainage network is characterized largely by straight, trapezoid-shaped drains. The design has been in use since European colonists began clearing land in the area for agriculture. While necessary to move water off farm fields, these drains have also become important habitats for Ontario flora and fauna, including many Species at Risk. But two veteran drainage experts argue that creativity in policy could make many Ontario drains even better habitats, while simultaneously performing their core water-moving function for farmers. Critically, however, they also say farmers should not have to bear the full costs of drain improvement. DIFFERENT DESIGNS Ian Smith, a fluvial geomorphologist, highlights Species at Risk legislation as a potential sore spot for farmers, as the legislation can conflict with drain maintenance. In cases such as Fort Erie’s Beaver Creek, for example, portions of the creek were identified as critical for the reproductive cycle of a key fish species. Clearing the drain the typical way — by dredging it with an excavator or dragline, and trimming all bank vegetation — would have ensured water could be moved quickly. But this process would make conditions untenable for the endangered fish, causing friction with the Endangered Species Act. Indeed, Smith compares clearing drains by conventional means to “a nuclear weapon hitting the stream.” Beaver Creek was, thus, a conundrum — one Smith was hired to solve. What followed was a long process of consultation between himself, local government, ecologists, drainage engineers, and the local agricultural community on the best way to ensure the drain remains effective at moving water while also protecting the biodiversity present. It was decided that a two-stage ditch, characterized by a central flat bottom or V-shaped channel within a wider trapezoid-shaped channel and featuring reed and stone beds, could effectively accomplish both tasks. Compared with the standard, standalone V-shaped or trapezoidal drain design, the wider twostage drain also created conditions for greater animal and plant life beyond the Species at Risk originally identified. Two-stage ditches are, of course, “What’s the harm? There is no harm. Can we do things better? Yes, we can. - Sid Vander Veen, Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario WHAT IS ONTARIO’S DRAINAGE ACT? Ontario’s Drainage Act has its origins in the Ditches and Watercourses Act, dating from 1835. This act was repealed in 1963. Sid Vander Veen, former drainage co-ordinator with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, says municipal drains, which were constructed under the Drainage Act (occasionally also known as the Municipal Drainage Act), were first developed in 1859. According to the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, current drainage legislation covers the regulation, maintenance, and repair of approximately 45,000 kilometres of municipal drains. Approximately 1.75 million hectares of cropland are serviced by these drains. By and large, the cost of constructing and maintaining drains is borne by the landowners and road authorities being serviced by the drain. The province maintains a cost-share program for agricultural landowners, covering one-third the cost of drain construction and maintenance.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 16 continued from page 15 more expensive to construct compared to standard V-shaped drains. While farmers have traditionally borne the cost of drain maintenance, a result of them benefitting from the drain moving water away from their land, Smith thinks biodiversity restoration goals and Species at Risk legislation make the question of who benefits more complex. In part for this reason, he believes Ontario’s Drainage Act, originally established in 1835, should be revised. “The costs of drainage are borne almost entirely by the farming community. If we’re going to start calling drains habitat — and they are habitat — it’s not just the farmers that benefit, it’s humanity in general,” says Smith. “It’s 2026, and the Drainage Act may need a good look given the body of knowledge we have beyond farming science.” “Let’s not tar and feather the Act, let's act wholesomely and say, ‘We understand humanity is part of the natural ecosystem.’ Not every farm should be turned back into a forest. We need the coexistence of food production and habitat. There should be a mechanism in the government, the legislation, that acknowledges the coexistence of competing interests for those resources.” The Beaver Creek drain immediately after excavation in 2011, and in the spring of 2014. Photos: Ian Smith
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 17 1.6% of Canadians farm. But who says the few can’t be the mighty? UNCOMMONMIGHT.ca ALWAYS FOLLOW GRAIN MARKETING AND OTHER STEWARDSHIP PRACTICES AND PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Bayer and Bayer Cross are trademarks of Bayer Group. Used under license. Bayer CropScience Inc. is a member of CropLife Canada. ©2026 Bayer Group. All rights reserved. LANDOWNER SUPPORT For Sid Vander Veen, currently with the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario, and retired drainage coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, incorporating more nature-friendly designs into drain construction and maintenance has long been a topic of discussion. He does not, however, consider it necessary to change the Drainage Act to do so. “There’s nothing in the Drainage Act that says drains need to be straight and trapezoidal. There’s ability to do other things, but it all comes back to willingness, politics, the property owner, and cost. Those are big hurdles,” says Vander Veen. “Is it a problem with the Act? I don’t think so. But there is the ability to levy costs from property owners, and the province provides a one-third cost grant to property owners on agricultureassessed lands.” Vander Veen adds that while the province does provide a grant covering one-third the cost of drain construction, there is no specific incentive for more environmentally beneficial project designs. Cost savings for inclusions such as buffer strips, riparian areas, and two-stage ditches are only available through some Conservation Authorities, willing local governments, or other external organizations. In their absence, the full cost is borne by the property owner. “I still would prefer to see an incentive to encourage some of these practices, but it doesn’t exist right now,” says Vander Veen. “Conservation Authorities do stream rehabilitation projects, where they spend money to rehabilitate streams to make them pristine. Better for habitat, water quality, they do all these things. You can accomplish the exact same thing under the Drainage Act, and have the further benefit of having it codified with a municipal bylaw.” Vander Veen says drains are incredibly important for rural agriculture in Ontario. In his mind, a perfect drain provides drainage for farmers, but that’s also habitat. “What’s the harm? There is no harm. Can we do things better? Yes, we can,” he says. •
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GRAIN TALK 18 Grain Your Grain Farmers of Ontario Team Here is our next installment of profiles of your Grain Farmers of Ontario staff to help introduce you to the team. Kristy Nudds Managing Editor/Editorial Specialist Kristy Nudds joined Grain Farmers of Ontario in January 2026 as Managing Editor/Editorial Specialist. In this role, she will manage content for the Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine and collaborate with communication team members to help build a relevant communication strategy and content for member. She also works with each internal department to understand editorial opportunities for story-sharing with farmer-members through the magazine and e-newsletter, as well as providing editorial services to the organization to ensure copy is concise, error-free and has consistent messaging. Kristy brings more than 20 years of experience in agriculture media and communications to the role. She has served as editor of several leading agriculture publications, including Canadian Poultry, Food in Canada, and most recently, Farmtario. She holds a Master of Science degree from the University of Guelph and is a current class 21 participant in the Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program from the Rural Ontario Institute. Grain Farmers of Ontario attended Commodity Classic 2026 Last month, Grain Farmers of Ontario CEO Crosby Devitt, Chair Jeff Harrison and Executive Board Members Josh Boersen, Julie Maw, and Steve Twynstra attended the Commodity Classic in Texas. With more than 12,000 people on site, it’s one of the largest gatherings of farmers and ag leaders in North America. It was great to reconnect with Ontario farmers who made the trip south, as well as farmers from across the U.S. Grain Farmers of Ontario had excellent discussions with American Soybean Association and National Corn Growers Association board members, as well as representatives of the National Association of Wheat Growers. Thank you to our U.S. colleagues for the warm hospitality. Key takeaways: Despite farming in different countries, we share many of the same challenges and opportunities: • Crop input prices remain stubbornly high, raising real concerns about 2026 crop margins. • Demand growth is essential. Canada and the U.S. have significant potential to expand biofuel production—supporting the economy, the environment, and our food and feed customers. • Farmers continue to champion free and fair trade. A level playing field lets us compete. Renewing the CUSMA agreement is critical. • As equipment automation advances, the real question becomes how farmers capture a return on these investments.
Photo: District 6 (Haldimand, Brant, Hamilton, Niagara) donated $20,000 to support the Haldimand–Norfolk hospice project through Grain Farmers of Ontario Community Investment Program. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GRAIN TALK 19 District 6 supports Haldimand-Norfolk hospice project Grain Farmers of Ontario District 6 (Haldimand, Brant, Hamilton, and Niagara) supported the Haldimand–Norfolk hospice project through the Grain Farmers of Ontario Community Investment Program. Currently, there are no local hospice beds in the region, requiring families to travel outside the region to access hospice and palliative care services. This project will help address that gap by bringing compassionate, home-like care closer to home and ensuring individuals and their loved ones can remain in their community, surrounded by familiar faces and support. The new centre will include residential hospice beds, in-home outreach services, and expanded caregiver and community programs, strengthening end-of-life care options across the region. Grain Farmers of Ontario is proud to invest in initiatives that strengthen the health and wellbeing of rural communities across the province. Grain Farmers of Ontario – Corteva Farmer Leadership Program In February, 25 Grain Farmers of Ontario delegates and three emerging leaders from within the grain sector came together at Ivey Business School to strengthen their leadership skills, build connections, and grow as advocates for Ontario’s grain farmers through their participation in the Grain Farmers of Ontario – Corteva Farmer Leadership Program. The program is funded with support from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). The program focuses on collaboration, negotiation, how to pitch your ideas, and public speaking skills. Participants from across all 15 Grain Farmers of Ontario districts were encouraged to work together in small group sessions and one-on-one learning activities, fostering a shared sense of purpose and connection. One of the goals of the program is to help create a strong, unified voice for our organization and the grain sector. Grain Farmers of Ontario would like to extend its appreciation to both Corteva and OMAFA for their ongoing commitment to fostering agricultural leadership and supporting the growth of future leaders in Ontario. • Photo: The Grain Farmers of Ontario - Grain Farmers of Ontario Leadership Program included 25 delegates and three emerging leaders in Ontario's grain sector.
Pushing the intensity on wheat production Ralph Pearce Planting dates, growth regulators, and desiccants are all part of the picture Five years of Ontario field trials reveal how nitrogen, planting date, and plant growth regulators affect lodging, yield potential, and the economics of wheat production. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 20 Measuring success in winter wheat production in Ontario has had plenty of support over the past three decades. Long-term studies in the province, combined with complementary research and intensive management practices from the U.K., have provided plenty of data and information to help assure growers of the benefits of including winter wheat in rotations. To build on that detail, researchers with the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus have completed a five-year study that includes planting dates, nitrogen applications, the use of plant growth regulators (PGRs), and desiccants on the previous soybean crop. The work was funded in part by Grain Farmers of Ontario, with support from Syngenta Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. Research on winter wheat, particularly its inclusion in rotations, is growing in importance. In addition to its effect on subsequent corn and soybean yields, more growers recognize its benefits, as indicated by the million-plus acres seeded in Ontario in six of the past seven years. With costs for seed, equipment, fuel, the carbon tax, and land all continuing to rise, farmers are encouraged to maximize revenues and profits. PUSHING THE LIMITS The five-year project to optimize winter wheat for increased cropping-system resilience was conducted by researchers Joshua Nasielski and David Hooker and began with the 2020 fall planting at Ridgetown, Arva, and Winchester. In some years, changes were made to the plot locations. In 2021, planting was carried out at Ridgetown, Arva, Exeter, and Winchester. In other years, one of the research sites was near Lucan. Two soft red varieties and two hard red varieties were planted early to increase lodging potential during June and July the following year. In the first year, the project had two primary objectives:
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER SUSTAINABILITY 21 • Determine the impact of the newest plant growth regulators (PGRs) on performance and profitability, including lodging, yield, and quality. Nasielski and Hooker also examined the effect of PGRs with applied nitrogen (N) rates. • Determine the effect of PGRs, using an integrated approach, to increase profitability, reduce lodging, increase grain yields, and maintain or increase quality. • A third component, incorporating desiccants, was also part of the project. “The main goal was to improve the profitability of winter wheat in a rotation,” says Nasielski, an assistant professor at the University of Guelph. “With desiccants, the work aimed to support earlier planting dates (to increase yield and winter survival). With planting-date research, the work looked at interactions between planting date and intensive versus conventional management.” By combining PGRs and N rates, researchers tried to determine whether growers could increase nitrogen application rates without increasing the risk of lodging. Higher N rates can raise lodging risk, and PGRs can help strengthen stems. LODGING They determined that lodging was moderate to high at Arva and Winchester in 2021, and low at Ridgetown the same year. It was near zero in all treatments at Arva and Ridgetown in 2022 and 2023, and at Winchester in 2022. The study’s 2025 report summary says: “One of the biggest factors for determining lodging potential is the weather, which was a major contributor of variability across site-years.” Although all nine site-years were managed for high lodging potential through early planting and high seeding rates, significant lodging occurred at only four of the nine sites. Where there was significant lodging potential, the use of a PGR (Moddus or Manipulator) increased yields compared to untreated controls due to less lodging. In susceptible varieties, PGR use reduced lodging by an average of 20 per cent while recording a three- to seven-bu/ac yield increase. Where the potential for lodging was low or zero, the effect of PGRs on yield was negligible. The use of a PGR shortened stems and reduced lodging on average. But in one cultivar in particular, it shortened it considerably more than expected. Overall, the use of PGRs increased stem density by seven per cent, improving straw yield. NITROGEN RATE From 2021 to 2023, nitrogen was applied at rates of 0, 100, 150, 200, and 250 kilograms per hectare (0, 89, 139, 178, and 223 lb. of N per acre). The 2025 summary says: “There were only marginal increases in yield with a PGR where lodging was not an issue. In sites that did experience lodging, the wheat variety had the greatest impact on lodging, followed by N rate.” The use of a PGR had the least effect of the three management factors. The conclusion with N rate was that an integrated approach is necessary to manage yield losses and declines in quality. “For PGRs, we saw very big interactions with winter wheat,” notes Nasielski. “The results indicate farmers should check with the seed company or sales representatives about any potential adverse PGR interactions.” PLANTING DATE Early planting remains one of the most reliable ways to maximize wheat yield, much like in corn or soybeans. But according to Nasielski, management decisions such as higher N rates or the use of PGRs tended to have similar effects regardless of when the crop was planted. While earlier planting dates generally produced higher yields than later ones, trials with multiple planting dates did not show that additional nitrogen or PGRs could make up for the yield lost from delayed planting. “The early planting dates, compared to the late dates, increased yield, so lodging risk would increase a bit, but not much,” says Nasielski. “The research shows how important timely planting is for yield potential; you can’t manage your way out of the yield penalty.” DESICCANT In 2020, 2021, and 2022, Nasielski and Hooker ran desiccation trials at Ridgetown and Exeter to test the effects of planting date and whether a preceding soybean crop could be planted with full-season varieties. Using a desiccant, diquat, salflufenacil, and borax, could effectively shorten maturity and allow for timely early planting of winter wheat. “On average, long-season maturity groups (MGs) reached maturity three to 15 days after adapted MG varieties, as we expected,” says Nasielski. “However, when diquat was applied at R6.5, long-season MGs were often able to reach harvest maturity earlier, or at the same time as, untreated adapted MG soybeans. In other words, a farmer could plant a long-season MG, apply diquat at R6.5, and harvest soybeans at the same time as, or earlier than, planting a full-season MG with no desiccant applied.” Small reductions in yield are expected with an application of a desiccant at R6.5, although the reduction isn’t always statistically significant. The summary recommends that growers balance the cost of the product against any possible reduction in yield and the overall benefits of earlier wheat planting. SOYBEAN MATURITY GROUP Another key finding from the study is the potential to plant soybeans from an adapted maturity group ahead of winter wheat. With the use of diquat at R6.5, growers can plant an adapted maturity group variety instead of an untreated short-season maturity group variety and achieve higher yields with a similar, or earlier, harvest. •
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