Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine is the flagship publication of Grain Farmers of Ontario and a source of information for our province’s grain farmers.

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Posts

Are drains also habitat?

Water management professionals support rethinking incentives for improved agricultural drains

April 2026 - 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. Southern Ontario’s drainage network is characterized largely by straight, trapezoid-shaped drains. The…
Herbicide-resistant weeds found in 2025

Agronomic information from Ontario's crop specialists

April 2026 - 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: Waterhemp:…
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

April 2026 - 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…
Putting the 4Rs to work on Ontario farms

The renewed 4R program links profitability, sustainability, and verified practices

April 2026 - 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. Efficient nutrient management is an economic, environmental, and personal priority…
From the CEO’s desk – April/May 2026

From the CEO's desk

April 2026 - 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…
Dealing with corn’s most persistent pest

Keeping corn rootworm in check

March 2026 - Livestock-dense counties, including Huron, Perth, Middlesex, and Oxford, are among those dealing with the heaviest corn rootworm infestation. Dr. Jocelyn Smith has a favourite insect, and it’s one Ontario corn growers love to hate. As…
Rethinking the rules

From fertilizer economics to maturity group selection, fresh data is refining best practices for soybean production

March 2026 - New Ontario trials are refining fertilizer rates, maturity group selection and sulphur use—highlighting where small management shifts can protect yield and improve returns. From optimizing fertilizers to cropping practices, there are many long-held standards for…
Cover crops before corn

Studies recommend their use before corn…but select wisely

March 2026 - Besides providing N benefits, researchers also found that harvesting a cover crop for forage only slightly reduces corn yield the next year. Ontario corn producers interested in cover crops’ nitrogen benefits can take heart: Research…
What to consider before expanding the farm

Conversations with business experts

March 2026 - HOW SHOULD FARMERS APPROACH EXPANSION, TO SET UP THEIR BUSINESS FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS? At Farm Management Canada, we define farm expansion more broadly than simply getting bigger – it’s any intentional change meant to strengthen…
Are spray drones getting ahead of themselves?

This novel technology is advancing much faster than our understanding of its applicability and efficacy

March 2026 - As the enthusiasm for spray drones grows, this expert raises some fundamental questions about using them. With proper use, drones could offer a revolutionary technological advantage in spray applications. But what’s the right way to…