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4 The Business of Ontario Agriculture Better Farming | January 2025 INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE INSIGHT FROM THE INSIDE LETTER FROM THE EDITOR OFA’S LEADERSHIP; OSCIA DEEP DIVE One statement that stuck with me following the OFA’s recent AGM in Toronto came from a former Board member. “There’s a real sense of confidence here this year, and a feeling that our work is important,” she said. “What we are doing has meaning.” Indeed, through all the policy debates, information updates, and informal discussions at the AGM, there was a strong theme of business management and professional development. No doubt this comes from the top down. Dairy and crop farmer Drew Spoelstra was re-elected to a second one-year term as president at the meeting, while Sara Wood was re- elected to a second three-year term as a director-at-large. The broiler chicken and crop farmer will serve a second year as vice-president. Dairy farmer Ethan Wallace, who previously held the executive member position, was elected as vice-president. And Paul Maurice joins the executive committee as executive member for the year ahead. “Food and farming touches all Ontarians in many different ways,” said Spoelstra after the election. “It’s a major pillar of the provincial economy so it’s important for Ontario agriculture’s voice to be heard by decision-makers and we will continue to make that a priority in the year to come.” Former OFA Board member Eleanor Renaud dropped by at the AGM to chat about the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s own AGM, coming up on Feb. 4 and 5 in Kingston. Day 1 will feature various OSCIA updates, learning sessions, lunch and dinner, and awards presentations. The second day is going to be a MicroSmart Deep Dive. “The key will be education,” said OSCIA first vice-president Renaud. “And it’s all one topic; we’re going to get real insight into the role that micronutrients play in soil health. We’ll really be learning.” Details at ontariosoilcrop.org. “My father listened to my ideas and was willing to move forward with new ideas and methods. He always said, ‘Don’t be the first to try the new, and don’t be last to give up the past.’” - Geoff, Bruce County, Page 10 “Farmers need to put that focus on the weed and disease management perspective to maximize the quality of the beans. It will ultimately end up benefiting them, and they’ll produce a crop they’ll get paid well for.” - Matt Underwood, Page 19 “The thing that triggered me the most was getting a call from the media asking us, ‘What does it feel like being responsible for the death of seven people?’ When, in fact, that wasn’t true.” - David Biesenthal, Page 23 “Just because they couldn’t bear weight on all four legs doesn’t mean they were garbage animals meant for deadstock. The rules and regulations around animals that couldn’t be butchered was what got us into this business.” - Karson Hennick, Page 24 1-888-248-4893 90 Woodlawn Road West Guelph, ON N1H 1B2 PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR PAUL NOLAN ext 202 Paul.Nolan@Farms.com ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER & EDITORIAL DIRECTOR LESLIE STEWART ext 265 Leslie.Stewart@Farms.com AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISTS MARY LOGGAN EMILY MCKINLAY CONTRIBUTORS TO THIS EDITION MOE AGOSTINO CAMPBELL CORK DALE COWAN ABHINESH GOPAL PAUL HERMANS PATRICK LYNCH MARIANNE STEIN RALPH WINFIELD ADVERTISING TEAM GLENN RUEGG JEFF McKEE JENNY LONGSTREET SCOTT FARHOOD SAMANTHA RENAUD JOAN SPIEGELBERG DESIGN & PRODUCTION TEAM TANYA MYERS GREG MARLOW SHAUN CLARK ANDREA WILLIAMS www.BetterFarming.com Better Farming magazine is mailed as a member-benefit to all farmer members of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. If you are not an OFA member, subscribe at: 1-888-248-4893 ext 281 Subscriptions@BetterFarming.com ISSN 1498-9344 (Printed) Canadian one-year subscriptions: $41 (11 issues; includes $4.72 HST). Two-year: $74 ($8.51 HST). U.S. subscriptions: $72 annually. International: $121. Single-copy back issues are $12. GST Registration #868959347RT0001 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AgMedia Inc., 90 Woodlawn Road West, Guelph, ON N1H 1B2. Publications Mail Registration #1156. Publications Mail Agreement #40037298. Copyright ©2025 by AgMedia Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content without written permission of the publisher is forbidden. Acceptance of advertising does not constitute endorsement of the advertiser, its products or services, nor do Better Farming, AgMedia or Farms.com endorse any advertiser claims. The publisher shall have no liability for the omission of any scheduled advertising. We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada. Follow us on @BetterFarmingON Cover: Scott Biesenthal photo, Kristen Edwards photo
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6 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | January 2025 SYNGENTA BRINGS BIOSTIMULANT TO ONTARIO’S FARMS Syngenta is bringing a new product to Canadian farmers to help increase yields. Starting in 2025, corn, soybean, wheat, canola, and other row crop farmers can add YieldON to their toolboxes. This product is designed to be applied at a very specific time, said Christopher Dumigan, biologicals technical lead at Syngenta Canada. “It’s a biostimulant meant to be mixed with a foliar fungicide application,” he recently told Better Farming. “After it’s applied at the reproductive stage of a crop’s lifecycle, so like around heading time in wheat, it amplifies the process that plants naturally do when they move sugars from their leaf tissue into the sink at seed formation.” The product combines biomolecules from plants and seaweed, with trace elements of manganese, zinc, and molybdenum. It also has a four-hour rainfastness. YieldON trials have shown the product can help increase yields. But the increases aren’t uniform across the board. “In cereals, so wheat, durum, and barley, we’ve seen an average of 2.9 bushel per acre increase over fungicide alone,” Dumigan said. “In canola, we are 1.8 bushels per acre above fungicide alone.” It’s too early to identify how YieldON will help 2024 corn and soybean acres in Eastern Canada, Dumigan adds. A small trial plot at the Honeywood Research Facility in Plattsville, Ont. in 2023 showed a six-bushel advantage over fungicide alone. That’s in line with results out of the U.S. “Our U.S. friends have done well over 100 trials in corn, and they’ve seen an average of seven bushels per acre,” Dumigan said. BF The Canadian dairy industry opposes a recent amendment to a bill designed to protect supply management. In its original form, Bill C-282 protects supply management in all future trade negotiations. However, the Senate Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committee passed an amendment on Nov. 6 by a 10-3 vote proposing protecting supply management only in new trade negotiations. Canada could still concede market access in existing agreements, renegotiations or ongoing trade talks. This means access to Canada’s dairy market would still be available to the U.S. and Mexico in the scheduled 2026 CUSMA renegotiations. And because Canada is working out a trade deal with Britain, dairy access could still be on the table there too. Organizations say lawmakers must reject any amendments that put Canada’s dairy market, industry, and food security in a vulnerable position. “Bill C-282 is important to not only our farmers but also the stability of our domestic food system,” Dairy Farmers of Canada told Better Farming in an emailed statement that includes national egg, chicken, turkey and hatching egg producers. “This legislation is about safeguarding our domestic dairy, poultry and egg sectors in future trade negotiations, all while ensuring a stable and predictable supply of these goods.” Other members of the ag industry, however, support the change. With so much of Canadian ag, about 90 per cent, reliant on trade, providing negotiators flexibility to do business helps support the industry, the Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) says. “The Senate Committee has recognized the threat to our sector by recommending an amendment that protects our core interests in the North American and other key trading relationships,” CAFTA president Greg Northey said in a Nov. 12 statement. “We continue to think the Bill should be rejected, but the amendment significantly reduces the risk that our country simply cannot afford in the current international environment.” The amended version of C-282 still needs support from the full Senate. If that occurs, the amended bill will move back to the House of Commons for consideration. BF - Diego Flammini C-282 AMENDMENT SPARKS DEBATE Leslie Stewart photo Beyond the Barn
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8 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 Beyond the Barn Four new members were inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame (CAHFA) during a recent ceremony in Toronto. The 2024 inductees – Dr. Bruce Coulman, Dr. Michael Eskin, Ontario’s Paul Larmer, and Dr. Charles Vincent – were recognized for their groundbreaking contributions to agriculture. Phil Boyd, CAHFA chair, praised the inductees during the ceremony for their remarkable careers, which span various fields, including forage crops, canola, cattle genetics, and entomology. “We are so proud to shine a bright spotlight on the achievements these individuals have made throughout their careers,” said Boyd. Paul Larmer’s leadership in cattle genetics has positioned Canada as a global leader. As the former CEO of Semex Alliance, Larmer played a pivotal role in transforming the company from a Canadian exporter to a major international player in cattle breeding. The past chair of the 4-H Ontario Foundation and the OAC Alumni Association was nominated by Semex. Dr. Bruce Coulman, a renowned forage crop researcher, has spent more than 40 years advancing forage varieties that have shaped the cattle feed industry. His innovations, including bloat-reduced alfalfa and hybrid bromegrass, were crucial in improving the profitability of forage production. Dr. Coulman was nominated by the University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre. Dr. Michael Eskin, a leading canola researcher, revolutionized canola oil’s quality and stability, helping to establish it as a healthy dietary choice and expanding its global market. His work has had a lasting impact on both the economy and the health of Canadian consumers. Dr. Eskin was nominated by the University of Manitoba. Dr. Charles Vincent, an expert in agricultural entomology, has spent decades researching insect pests, developing sustainable methods to control them. His innovations have significantly reduced the use of chemical insecticides, benefiting crops like apples, grapes, and blueberries. The longtime research scientist with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada was nominated by the Co-Lab R&D division of Ag-Cord Inc. These four inductees join over 250 other members of the hall of fame. BF SEMEX’S LARMER ENTERS HALL OF FAME Paul Larmer at the recent 2024 CAHFA ceremony in Toronto. A FARMING LIFE: PATRICIA HASTINGS Farmer, businesswoman, musician, teacher, wife, mother, and grandmother. Born Sept. 6, 1939; Died Sept. 29, 2024. Patricia Hastings of Cooper was a first-generation producer who lived a busy life before buying her farm in the late ’90s. She was a teacher and a musician, playing lead viola in the Peterborough Symphony Orchestra. While she had no prior experience with farming, Patricia’s daughters Nicky and Katherine Hastings explain that she had a green thumb and always loved being outside in nature. “She had always been a fantastic gardener, and I think she passed that on to us.” Nicky says. In 1999, Patricia accompanied her son-in-law’s brother to visit a farm that was for sale. He was visiting from Germany and was considering starting a farm in Canada, but it was Patricia who ended up purchasing the farm. “After all the kids left, she took on a second career,” Nicky says. “Most people would retire, but she started something new at 60.” Patricia worked hard to turn the property into an organic grain farm where she would mill and sell flour. She grew winter wheat, spelt, barley, buckwheat, rye, and most notably, her in-demand Red Fife wheat. “She was involved in everything,” says Katherine. “She learned to drive tractors and operate machinery – she designed the packaging, bagged flour, delivered, and sold flour.” “People would assume Dad was the farmer, but they didn’t know she was out there putting a lot of time, and work into it,” explains Nicky. “It was hard back then, but I hope it paved the way for future women farmers.” BF - Leslie Stewart Patricia Hastings Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame photo
ofa.on.ca | @OntarioFarms | OntarioFarms | OntarioFarms | ontariofarms | ontario-federation-of-agriculture OFA’s Board of Directors is ready to work for you in 2025 Ethan Wallace, Vice-President Ethan Wallace was elected as Vice-President after serving one year as Executive Member. Representing Zone 7 (Huron and Perth), he farms just outside of Seaforth with his wife Joanna and children Cole, Liam and Bree, where they grow crops and milk Jersey cows. Drew Spoelstra, President Drew Spoelstra was re-elected to a second one-year term as president of the OFA at the Annual General Meeting in November. Representing Zone 5 (Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth and Niagara), he farms with his family in Binbrook, growing crops, raising horses and producing high quality milk and beef. Sara Wood, Vice-President Sara Wood was re-elected to a second one-year term as Vice-President of the OFA, serving on the board as a Director-At-Large since 2021. She farms with her husband Chris, mother Deb and son Logan in Mitchell, Ontario, where they raise broiler chickens and grow crops. Paul Maurice, Executive Member Paul Maurice was elected as Executive Member of the OFA, having served on the board since 2021 representing Zone 13 (Peel, Simcoe and York). For 50 years, he and his wife Louise were dairy farmers. Today, they raise broiler chickens and grow crops and hay, together with their son Alex. As the leading voice for Ontario’s farmers, the OFA continues to advocate for the betterment of the province’s agriculture sector.
10 Better Farming | January 2025 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON Better Farming recently asked Ontario producers about mentors or family members who inspired and taught them to be better farmers. The answer is simple for many: Farming has been passed down through families for generations. The stories shared by producers reflect a deep connection to their roots, where the lessons learned from parents and grandparents continue to influence how they approach the land today. Whether passed down from generation to generation or cultivated through community bonds, the mentorship stories in Ontario agriculture reveal that farming is as much about relationships and shared wisdom as it is about the land itself. So, who was your mentor? Jon, Niagara Region: “My dad taught me to do things when the time is right and properly. Don’t put something off until tomorrow that can be done today. He also taught me to not worry about things you can’t control.” Tony, Lennox and Addington County: “I greatly respected my father, who led and managed our farm and family through many bad times, good times, and those in between. He cared deeply about his livestock and often could be seen watching the calves play or the piglets running around silly or snuggling up to the sow. He taught me that pennies do count. However, you needed to enjoy your life, community, family and farm, as those things were most important. I’m now in my senior years and think of him often when working on our farm.” Geoff, Bruce County: “My father taught me the value of working efficiently and managing properly. He listened to my ideas and was willing to move forward with new ideas and methods. He always said, ‘Don’t be the first to try the new, and don’t be last to give up the past.’” Ken, Simcoe County: “My father … who farmed all his life.” Ken, Niagara Region: “My father. He taught me what not to do and showed me the right things about farming. Farming was an art and a way of life. Digging Deeper WISDOM IN THE FIELD: MENTORS MATTER Ontario farmers credit key figures for their farming success & insight. By Mary Loggan ‘It’s nice to have people around you to help and answer questions.’ Emily McKinlay photo
11 Better Farming | January 2025 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON Today, it is a business and a science.” Dave, Lambton County: “I learned from a long, hard childhood of working. With the occasional beating for being lazy. Twenty minutes, you could leave the barn to get the bus for school; 15 minutes when you got home to get back to work. Sure, Dad made me a farmer, but at what cost to me? It would have been better to help me grow as a person, not a workhorse. I woke every day to work.” Marina, Bruce County: “I have to give all the credit to my husband for making me the farmer I am today. When I met him, I knew nothing about agriculture, and slowly through the years, he’s had the patience to teach me everything – from how to drive the equipment to picking different crop varieties. As young farmers, we are growing to be better together.” Joe, Kent County: “Dr. Don Huber opened my eyes. Graeme Sait was teaching me how to start the change.” Troy, Wentworth County: “My grandfather was a great inspiration for me growing up. His passion for farming and example of a healthy family/work life balance always stood out. My grandfather started the family farm from almost nothing two generations ago, and now I can be on it today and farm it with my young family. “Growing up, I had the opportunity to work alongside my father and grandfather. They taught and showed me the importance of being good stewards of the land, being resourceful with what you have and being the best shepherd you can be to your livestock. “I now hope to inspire my kids and others as I strive to be a better farmer myself.” Bill, Elgin County: “There was no ‘one’ individual. I just watched and learned.” Ron, Essex County: “My grandfather. I started at five years old with my grandfather when my dad was growing tomatoes for Heinz with baskets. My grandfather put me on the seat of the tractor to drive when they were loading the baskets.” Tom, Prince Edward County: “My older next-door neighbour farmer was quiet, very intelligent, well-read, and successful. We would often talk, and he would give you ‘his experience,’ especially if you asked. He would frequently bring me books about agriculture that he thought were worth reading, but at a level above periodicals. They required thought. “You knew it was time to cultivate, seed, or bale if he was in the field. His crop yields would always be the best in our area despite poor weather. His dairy cattle were export quality. “He was always ready to give new ideas a try. “After he retired, we often looked at crop fields around us and wondered what he could have achieved with the new genetics and technology available at that time if he was still farming. We often say, ‘outstanding in their field’ – he was, and he did.” Joan, Wellington County: “I’ve had many people inspire me to learn and improve at whatever I work. Being open to lifelong learning has been critical as I entered full-time farming after completing another career. I find a lot of value in listening to speakers at conferences. Two come to mind: Temple Grandin (FarmSmart Conference) and Dr. Kip Lukasiewicz (Canadian Beef Industry Conference). They influenced how I effectively handle cattle on our beef farm.” Lloyd, Bruce County: “Grandfather. He had patience and an interesting farm. And college was essential for me.” Larry, Haldimand County: “I have had a few mentors who have taught me lots since I started farming on my own in 1999. My grandparents and parents always inspired me for the sacrifices they made, so I would have the opportunity to farm. “I can only imagine how many struggles they experienced throughout their farming careers, from the introduction of the dairy quota, to transitioning from Holsteins to Jerseys, to experiencing the high interest rates in the 1980s, and poor crop prices. I am forever grateful to them, and I wish my grandparents were still here today to see the advancements and success I’m having due to their struggles and dedication to our family farm.” Luke, Huron County: “My neighbours taught me the most about farming. From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a farmer. I didn’t grow up on a farm but lived in a small farming town. “When I was 19, my parents helped me buy a country property with a barn and some land. “When I got to know the neighbouring farms around me, they taught me how they farm and care for livestock. This inspired me to start my beef operation. It’s nice to have people around you to help and answer questions.” Allan, Peel Region: “My father had a huge impact, and a neighbouring farmer also affected me. My father always pushed me constantly to keep improving from the year before, from crops to cows, and if not, he’d ask why, and why we didn’t adapt quicker to the situation. My neighbour, who also had a grain elevator, allowed me to try new things and was a great person to bounce ideas off of. Never stop asking questions.” Doug, Middlesex County: “My best mentor is a friend I have known for 30 years. He knows me and my operation, pushes me to see things differently, and relates his experiences. When I was younger, my father was my mentor and role model. He gave me the guidance and encouragement I needed.” BF Digging Deeper Doing something interesting on your farm? With crops, machinery or livestock? We want to know! Paul.Nolan@Farms.com TELL US WHAT YOU’RE UP TO
12 Thank You for Your Trust & Time, Since 1999 Better Farming | January 2025 Research & Farm Science Fungal contamination of cereal grains poses a substantial threat to food security and public health while causing hundreds of millions of dollars in economic losses annually. In a new study, researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign evaluated farultraviolet C (far-UVC) light as a safe way to alleviate fungal contamination of corn and wheat and found this technology to be effective. “Light-based technology is easy to use, and the cost is minimal compared to many other methods. However, conventional UVC lamps emit light at a wavelength of 254 nanometers, which can cause skin or eye damage to humans, so it’s not safe to use when workers or consumers are around,” said study co-author Yi-Cheng Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at Illinois. “So instead, we are using a technology called microplasma-based farUVC light. It emits light at 222 nanometers, a wavelength other studies have found to be safe for humans, even at prolonged exposure. We wanted to see if it can also be used to mitigate fungal contamination.” Conventional 254-nanometer light disinfection works by damaging cells’ DNA, whereas the shorter 222-nanometer wavelength is mainly absorbed by peptide bonds and amino acids. Wang said this means far-UVC causes cell damage to microorganisms, but cannot penetrate humans’ outermost layer of dead skin cells or the tear layer of their eyes, and thus poses no threat to them. Wang and lead author Zhenhui Jin, a recent graduate of FSHN’s doctoral program, tested the efficacy of farUVC light against two fungi, Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium graminearum. Both fungi affect grains in the field; they can lead to substantial losses in grain quality and produce mycotoxins that threaten human and animal health. First, the researchers suspended the fungi’s spores in a liquid buffer and treated them with various doses GRAIN SAFETY GOES HIGH-TECH Far-UVC light battles fungal contamination. By Marianne Stein Zhenhui Jin tested the efficacy of UVC light against fungi. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign photo
13 Thank You for Your Trust & Time, Since 1999 Better Farming | January 2025 of far-UVC light. They found that, at the highest treatment doses, 99.999 per cent of the spores of both Aspergillus and Fusarium were inactivated via changes to the cells’ membranes and their mitochondria. The next step was to test the farUVC light treatment against the two fungi’s mycelia – a network of threadlike strands that invade host plants’ tissues after spores germinate. On agar plates, the growth of mycelia for both fungi was successfully inhibited. But that wasn’t the end. “For the liquid and agar, we could just put the lamp above the petri dishes containing the fungi. However, food products are three-dimensional. Therefore, we constructed a treatment system with six lamps that shine light over and around the grains,” Wang said. The researchers tested the system on corn kernels and wheat grains. The treatment reduced more than 90 per cent of both fungi. The surface roughness of the cereal grain was likely the reason for lower treatment effects than in liquid buffer, Wang said. However, the results were comparable to, or better than, previously published studies in which cereals were treated with conventional 254-nanometer UVC light. The team also investigated whether the light treatment affected the quality of the grains. They found no significant effect on moisture content in either the corn or the wheat, and no significant change in the percentage of the wheat that germinated within seven days after treatment. However, for the corn kernels treated with the highest dosage of light, there was a 71 per cent increase in germination over the same period. This could have been because the light treatment increased the corn cells’ permeability, facilitating their uptake of water, but Wang said this idea will need to be tested through future research. Wang envisions grain would be treated at the processing facility after harvest, before it reaches the food production system. “Our results demonstrate that 222- nanometer far-UVC light treatment can effectively inactivate fungal spores in liquid buffer, inhibit the growth of mycelia on agar, and inactivate fungi on cereal grains. If this technology can be scaled up, it should provide an easy-to-use and safe option that mitigates fungal contamination, thus alleviating post-harvest economic losses and improving food security.” Jin received a scholarship from the ADM Institute for the Prevention of Postharvest Loss (ADMI) for the project. BF If you don’t measure it, you can’t manage it Manage Your Farm Finances is a free online course giving you knowledge and tools to boost profitability and better understand your numbers. Start today at fcc.ca/ManageFarmFinances Research & Farm Science MARIANNE STEIN Marianne is a senior research editor with the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign.
14 Ate Today? Thank a Farmer. Better Farming | January 2025 PICKING THE RIGHT SEED With harvest wrapped up and the new calendar year beginning, the most important task that remains is picking the right variety/hybrid for the 2025 growing season. In years past, this was a straightforward process; yield was the key factor that most growers looked at. Fast forward to the 2025 growing season and a lot of other factors come into play. Factors like herbicide resistance and weed management, disease control, economics, and yes, still on top, yield, are part of the decision-making process. At the end of the day, looking at all these factors will provide you with the best varieties/hybrids for next year’s growing season. I will use soybeans as my example of considerations to look at when picking a soybean variety. Keep in mind that the same principles hold true for corn and other crops. In many geographies across Eastern Canada, various weeds are resistant to many herbicides on the market. Know- ing what weeds are resistant to specific chemistries is vital in ensuring herbicide traits will work on your farm. Consider multiple modes of action traits when picking your seed. Multiple modes of action allow you to have variable tools in the toolbox to spray different herbicide programs on different fields. Gone are the days of a simple one-pass, one herbicide program to actively clean up weeds. Knowing the weed spectrum for each field is critical in picking a variety and herbicide program. An example of a multiple mode of action trait for soybeans would be Enlist E3. It has three specific herbicide traits that can be used on your farm as tools in the toolbox: Glyphosate, glufosinate and 2,4-D choline. Combined with a programs approach of using a residual post/pre-emerge strengthens not only weed control and yield outcome but will ensure longevity of herbicide traits for growers in the future. In my specific geography, disease management is becoming increasingly important. Over the last 30 years the landscape has changed from a livestock diverse crop rotation one to more of a soybean-corn rotation. Over the years, white mould has been the No. 1 disease in soybeans. More recently, newer diseases like soybean cyst nematode, sudden death syndrome and brown stem rot have shown up in our area. Knowing these disease symptoms and where they are found on your farm is critical in soybean seed selection. Newer genetics of today have different scores for each disease. One variety may be higher in white mould tolerance, but lower in brown stem rot, as an example. If you historically do not have white mould on your farm but higher disease presence of brown stem rot and pick a variety just based on the white mould trait and its yield, it could mean disaster in a high brown stem rot disease year. We saw this in 2024 and in our research plots. White mould presence was much lower, but brown stem rot was much higher. This allowed us to screen out weaker experimental products with lower brown stem rot scores, thus advancing the higher-tolerant ones that will be evaluated in grower fields in 2025. Other factors come into play as well. Relative maturity is important, especially if one is looking at planting winter wheat after soybeans. Harvest standability scores are critical and go hand-in-hand with white mould ratings Paul Hermans photo THE SEED SELECTION TEST PICKING THE RIGHT SEED FOR #PLANT2025 BY PAUL HERMANS
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DEMAND NEW HOLLAND https://agriculture.newholland.com/nar/en-us Ebert Welding Ltd. New Liskeard • 705-647-6896 ESM Farm Equipment Ltd. Wallenstein • 519-669-5176 Maxville Farm Machinery Ltd. Maxville • 613-527-2834 McCauley Equipment Sales Orillia • 705-325-4424 Oneida New Holland Caledonia • 905-765-5011 Oneida New Holland St Catharines • 905-688-5160 Regional Tractor Sales Ltd. Freelton • 905-659-1094 Richards Equipment Inc. Barrie • 705-721-5530 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Chesley • 519-363-3192 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Mount Forest • 519-323-2755 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Walton • 519-887-6365 Smiths Farm Equipment (Jasper) Ltd. Jasper • 613-283-1758 Stewart’s Equipment Erin • 519-833-9616 PAUL HERMANS Paul is the 2024 International Certified Crop Advisor of the Year. He is an area agronomist in Eastern Ontario with Corteva Agriscience. if that disease is of concern in your geography. Picking the right product for the right acre comes down to field scouting and knowing what issues are causing problems on your farm. In-season note-taking and talking with seed and input suppliers all help with this process. Predicting future performance and what is the best product to grow next year is the million-dollar question I get asked about a lot. To address this question, I always look at past performance as the best indicator of future performance. This is where you must take the emotional side of seed selection, place it aside, and look at data across multiple years and multiple environments (soil, types, management practices, weather conditions, etc.) in local and surrounding area plots. For soybeans, I like looking at 30 sets of data to predict performance in my local area. Combining this with similar data sets in geographies to the west and east of me helps build that data set. Statistical work has been done on picking the right hybrid based on yield differences and the number of environments. As you can see by the chart, if we have one environment (plot), you have a 51 per cent chance of picking the right variety if there is a two-bushel difference between products. If you look at 30 sets of data, that percentage of picking the right product jumps to 75 per cent. That is where using company and university data comes into play to supplement your own on-farm plot data. If someone wants you to buy a product off one plot, be wary! Would this product have the same performance as last year? Was the product trial replicated? The 2024 season had its challenges, and with excessive moisture in many areas, drainage, soil topography, and water infiltration may have been the differences in why Product A outyielded Product B. Be specific on where you pull your data from as well. For example, I look heavily at soybean data from Eastern Ontario and Quebec more than Southern Ontario for white mould differences in products. In these geographies we tend to have more mould pressure than Southern Ontario, so data from this type of environment suits my customer base better. In the end, take the time to scour company websites for plot data. Talk to your trusted seed advisors reviewing data. These advisors see a lot of other issues in your area that you may not be aware of. Doing a little bit of homework will help you pass the seed selection test with flying colours. Happy New Year! May 2025 be your best crop production year yet, and may you be blessed with health and happiness. BF PICKING THE RIGHT SEED ODDS OF SELECTING THE RIGHT VARIETY 1 60% 52% 51% 10 90% 75% 65% 30 95% 90% 75% 200 98% 95% 93% NUMBER OF 4 Bu 2 Bu 1 Bu ENVIRONMENTS Measured Yield Difference Between Two Varieties
18 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | January 2025 NEW CROP OPPORTUNITIES While corn, soybeans, and wheat remain the key crops on Ontario farms, many farmers are interested in expanding their rotations. Producers have added new crops for increased profit, rotation timing, and rising input costs. We spoke with farmers about some unique crops they are growing, and the challenges and lessons from their experiences. White and black beans Some producers have diversified from their typical soybean crop by adding dry edible beans to their rotation. Matt Underwood and his family initially grew black and white beans near Wingham in the 1980s and ’90s but stopped due to the management at the time. “We stopped for probably around 10 years. At that time a lot of edible beans were still pulled rather than directly harvested and we have stonier ground that didn’t work well with a pull-type harvester.” The family resumed growing edible beans over the past 15 years, and started processing white, black, and adzuki beans at their commercial grain elevator five years ago. Underwood says they wanted to diversify their rotation and manage the workload at harvest. “They are typically ready one to two weeks before soybeans, so we are able to get through some of our acres before the soybeans are ready,” explains Underwood. “This also allows us to get wheat in sooner. We have seen a positive response in wheat yields when planting it sooner, especially since our edible beans come off earlier.” Underwood says that black and ‘IT’S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR FARMERS TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR REGULAR CROP INCOME.’ NEW CROP OPPORTUNITIES: ROUNDING OUT THE ROTATION BY EMILY MCKINLAY Matt Underwood photo White beans.
19 It’s Farming. And It’s Better. Better Farming | January 2025 NEW CROP OPPORTUNITIES white beans need some special attention compared to soybeans. “Black beans and white beans – really all edible beans – are a more delicate plant especially early in the season. If you have really wet soil conditions in the spring, edible beans struggle to establish themselves well, and are more susceptible to root rot and disease. “Another challenge we’ve seen are the limited options for weed control. There are only two to three herbicides to control broadleaf weeds in edibles, and they are very timing specific. If weeds get away on you, it’s very challenging to get them under control. This is exacerbated by Group 14 resistant common ragweed.” Growers used to be able to use a pre-harvest glyphosate desiccant, but global buyers have ceased accepting glyphosate use, creating challenges with weed management and harvest. Underwood says that compared to other edible beans, white and black beans have a more consistent market, with less variation in demand and price from global buyers. The reliable market makes these beans an easier entry point for growers. “It’s a very good opportunity for farmers to supplement their regular crop income,” says Underwood, sharing his advice for farmers looking into growing white or black beans. “The biggest thing to be aware of is the attention to detail you must have. The beans could end up in a can of pork and beans or a bag of dry beans, so people need to set up the expectation that they are producing something that will end up on a table. “Farmers need to put that focus on the weed and disease management perspective to maximize the quality of the beans. It will ultimately end up benefiting them, and they’ll produce a crop they’ll get paid well for.” Adzuki beans Adzukis are another type of edible bean, although they have very few similarities to black and white beans. Adam Ireland, a crop farmer near Teeswater, has been growing adzuki beans for nearly a decade. “They are a completely different crop, even when comparing them to other edible bean classes. They are in a different family, and take more management all around,” says Ireland. “I was looking for a more profitable option to add to corn, wheat, and soybeans.” He notes that while they don’t provide many benefits to his rotation, they are a good human food source. “They are a lower input crop, don’t take as much nitrogen, and have high protein content. But they are not great for soil health – they don’t have a great root system and are not giving back to the soil.” As with any crop, there are benefits and challenges when growing adzuki beans. “They are slow to get out of the ground. They have a hard seed coat and take a while to absorb moisture and germinate. They will also stay around for multiple years, so you will have volunteer beans to contend with.” Their short stature and limited weed control options are additional challenges for growing adzuki beans. The reduced height of the plant can make harvest difficult, leading to increased field losses, and a slower canopy gives more opportunity for weed growth. Some of the features that make adzuki beans challenging can also be their strength. “Because they are slower to germinate, you can plant them a little earlier. If your planting window is open and you’re not ready to plant white or black beans, you could get adzukis in the ground because they are going to stay there longer,” says Ireland. “It’s the same with harvest. With the hard seed coat, once they dry down, they won’t absorb moisture as much as other beans.” Due to market challenges, Ireland chose to skip growing adzuki beans for the 2024 season. “The world market is lower than Make sure your harvesting equipment is compatible with your new crop. Matt Underwood photo
20 Story Idea? Email Paul.Nolan@Farms.com Better Farming | January 2025 in past years, so my local elevator decided not to be in the adzuki game this year, and that’s the main reason I decided against growing them,” he shares, explaining that Japan is the primary market for adzuki beans. “It will be interesting to see what the market does in the next year.” His advice for producers thinking about growing adzuki beans is to speak with other growers to get an idea of requirements and make sure there’s a market before planting. “You should check that your equipment, especially harvest equipment, is able to get them out of the field, and you want to make sure you have a contract and a place for them to go before putting them in the ground.” Flax Flax is typically grown in the cooler climate of the Prairies and is known for its fibre and omega-3 fatty acid content. This crop may fit into rotations in lower heat unit regions. A Blue Mountain area flax farmer says that they switched out canola for flax in their rotation due to the lower inputs and earlier harvest. They have been experimenting with flax for 15 years, and it became consistent in their rotation five years ago. “We mostly started growing flax so we could get our winter wheat in. Our beans are later maturing and there’s not much time to get wheat planted. It’s not often that we combine beans before the 20th of September,” says the flax grower, who prefers to have winter wheat planted before that date. “We didn’t like canola because it was so costly. There’s seed cost, all the fertilizer, and the sprays. One year, we sprayed canola four times for flea beetle and didn’t get ahead of it, but flax doesn’t have any insects that like it. We can also keep our own seed back for flax.” Harvesting flax requires forethought. The grower explains that flax can be hard on equipment, and upkeep of machinery can be costly. “It’s not the nicest crop to work with,” they explain. “It likes to wrap on bearings and burn things. If you smell smoke, you better stop. “When it’s standing, it’s okay, but when it’s down, it’s a problem.” The straw needs to be managed after harvest. The growers find it bunches and collects under the tool bar during seeding if not removed from the field. Marketing flax can also be a challenge. The large quantities grown in the Prairies relative to Ontario mean that local buyers may be limited. “There’s no consistent market. You can’t just take it to any elevator and most feed mills don’t buy it. You have to be prepared to hang on to it,” says the flax grower, who notes that the higher price has changed the market. “A few years ago, when flax was $1,700 a tonne, some mills were using it in chicken feed for the omega-3, but now the price is back in the real world. There is a market at a feed mill if you can make the deal, but then you have to have enough to keep them going all year.” If producers are prepared to manage the marketing, flax can offer another option for shorter-season crops. “For the guy who wants to just grow a crop and drop it at the elevator, flax isn’t for them. “It’s been higher priced than canola and has lower input cost. But it’s a Catch-22. If you are going to grow it, you have to go over your header. If there’s anything that will catch straw, it can’t be there, and you have to replace your knives. If you are going to go over 10 acres, it might not be worth the overhaul on your combine to do it.” BF NEW CROP OPPORTUNITIES Flax may be an option for growers in lower heat unit regions. Modella - stock.adobe.com EMILY MCKINLAY Emily lives on a beef farm, raising Red Angus and Simmental cattle. She holds a Master of Science in Animal Biosciences from University of Guelph, with a focus on ruminant nutrition.
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22 Better Farming | January 2025 Follow us on @BetterFarmingON RECONNECTING: DR. DAVID BIESENTHAL ‘I’M GLAD TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HELP & ADVOCATE FOR FARMERS.’ THEN & NOW: DR. DAVID BIESENTHAL BY MARY LOGGAN Biesenthal Family photo David Biesenthal with his sons and grandsons in the early ’00s: Braedon Saris, David, Scott, Curtis, and Jon (in the combine). Dr. David Biesenthal’s lifetime career in agriculture and veterinary medicine has left an undeniable mark on the industry. Known as a farmer advocate, he has dedicated much of his life to protecting their interests and promoting responsible farming practices. And he is still emphasizing the importance of meticulous record-keeping. Biesenthal’s efforts to defend the integrity of farming during heightened scrutiny, particularly after the Walkerton water crisis in 2000, brought him respect across Ontario and beyond. In recognition of his contributions, he was inducted into the Ontario Agriculture Hall of Fame (OAHF) in 2023. Stan Eby, who nominated him for the OAHF, recently told Better Farming that “David is highly principled and is undoubtedly a strong advocate for farmers both nationally and internationally. Many will never know his impact, but we can see the difference made in the ag community through his work and the Environmental Farm Plan (EFP).” Farming and career Although Biesenthal did not grow up farming, he recalls getting his first taste of agriculture by helping on his uncle’s farm. From there, he developed a passion for livestock, eventually leading to his decision to study veterinary medicine. “I just loved being involved on the farm and with animals; becoming a veterinarian seemed like the easiest way to do both,” he says. He graduated from the University of Guelph in 1968 with a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. After school, Biesenthal bought a 127-acre farm property in Walkerton and started work at a veterinary clinic. Shortly after, in 1971, he and a colleague purchased the Walkerton-Hanover Veterinary Clinic, and built a new clinic between Walkerton and Hanover in 1973. From 1980 to 2007, he operated the Walkerton Equine Clinic, specializing in general equine medicine, sports medicine, and equine reproduction. While maintaining his veterinary career, Biesenthal started his cow-calf operation in 1973, with over 30 head of Limousin cattle. In 1994, David and his son Scott started Stonegate Farms. It was a cashcrop enterprise that grew different commodities on 2,000 acres of owned and rented land. In 2018, he retired, with his son and grandson taking over. Lifetime accomplishments Biesenthal’s advocacy role started with detailed record-keeping and an EFP. Coincidently, his farm was adjacent to his local OMAFRA office at the time, which often held sessions covering EFPs and keeping efficient records. “Looking back, I was fortunate because my farm was within walking distance of the OMAFRA office; I could go there any time I wanted to learn and prepare records. I lived so close – so I took advantage of it every chance. “Maintaining detailed records was especially important to me; veterinarians are easy to sue, so I always wanted to ensure I was covered.” In May 2000, following a large rainstorm and the subsequent E. coli contamination of the Walkerton water supply, the Biesenthal farm was initially identified as a potential source of the outbreak. However, the accusations were never substantiated. Over the next two years, as investigations unfolded, Biesenthal played a
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