2025 Crops Day Presentations
Please note - Crops Day is on Monday this year!!
Updates for the 2025 program will be made as they are available.
Maintain, Improve and Maximize Soil health Through Affordable and Efficient Practices
Presented by: Odette Ménard, ing. et agr., Soil Health Consultant, Action Semis Direct
The C.R.O.P. system Finding the right strategy to maintain, improve and maximize soil health is a real challenge. To be completely successful, any strategy has to respect every aspect of the CROP. Optimize soil COVER Maintain ROOT biodiversity Best level of OXYGEN Continuous POROSITY
Odette graduated from McGill University with an agricultural engineering degree, and then a master in engineering sciences. She also obtained a master in business administration. She has been working in soil and water conservation since 1988 for the ministry of agriculture, food and fisheries of Québec. In 2005, she became a member of the Soil and Water Conservation Hall of Fame of Canada. In Fall of 2014, Odette received the Medal of the Order of Agricultural Merit of Quebec. Her observations on earthworm behaviour and soil improvement under no-till with the combination of cover crops helped a lot of agricultural producers to implement no-till with success. The key to agriculture’s challenges is to believe in these soil living organisms, and all the microorganisms responsible to maintain high soil health. But it also prepares our soils for tomorrow’s challenge: energy costs, soil conservation, climate changes.
Presentation begins Monday January 13th, 2025 at 9:45 am.
Controlling Tough Weeds
This panel discussion will include case studies on major weeds in the area. Panelists will discuss how to identify the weeds, where or when they're a problem, and how to control them, including non-spray options.
Panelist: Craig Reid, Agronomy Manager, Sprucedale Agromart
Craig has been with Sprucedale Agromart since 2007, and has been Agronomy Manager since 2017. In that role he focuses on training sales and agronomy staff, problem solving in the field and looking for new methods to improve production and farm profitability. Craig farms with his wife Carlye and their two children between Chesley and Paisley where they run a beef cow-calf herd. Craig is also chair of the new Arran-Elderslie Community Business Assocation and a member of the Agromart Group Innovation Committee. Craig and his family take part in many different sports together including skiing, karate, team penning and ranch roping.
Panelist: Johanna Lindeboom, Agronomist, Clark Agri Service
Johanna works for Clark Agri Service providing agronomic support to growers in Haldimand-Norfolk and Wentworth counties. Johanna graduated from the University of Guelph with a degree in Environmental Sciences in 2016. Johanna began her career as a crop scout, and spent six growing seasons helping farmers to make integrated pest management decisions in Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. She has experience with a wide range of crops from corn and soybeans to canola and lentils. Johanna enjoys learning about regional variations in crop production and has developed a passion for weed science and resistance management.
Panelist: Rob Miller, Technical Services Manager - Eastern Canada, BASF Canada
Rob Miller is the Technical Service Manager for Eastern Canada with BASF Canada. He has worked with BASF for 20 years, 9 of which were as Field Biologist working with corn, soybeans, cereals, drybeans, canola, potatoes and various cover crops. Rob completed his BSc. and MSc at the University of Guelph with a specialization in Weed Science with Peter Sikkema
Facilitator: Deb Campbell, Owner/Agronomist, Agronomy Advantage
Deb obtained her BSc (Agr) with a major in Agronomy and an emphasis in soil management from the University of Guelph. She then went on to complete her Certified Crop Adviser certification in 2000. Since then Deb added to that certification by completing the 4R Nutrient Management Specialty and the Resistance Management Specialty. Deb has a broad range of experience from previously working for Cargill and Syngenta in an array of positions. From Agronomist to Account Manager, she understands all aspects of growing a successful crop both from the field and business perspective. She has production expertise in corn, soybeans (including IP), cereals, canola, edible beans, alfalfa, and cover crops. Deb was awarded the Certified Crop Advisor Award of Excellence in 2003. She has served on the Certified Crop Adviser Board of Directors since 2009 and in 2020 served as the Chair of the Board. Deb is currently a Co-Chair for the Provincial Soil Action Group. This group is tasked with creating an implementation plan for Ontario's Agriculture Soil Health and Conservation Strategy. She provides technical expertise to the Plant Health Biosecurity webinars offered by OSCIA. Deb is also a director at the local Grey County Soil and Crop and is the Chair for Grey Bruce Farmers Week. She has also previously served on the Board at AgScape. Most days you will find Deb checking fields as she works with farmers to achieve their cropping and business goals. Deb owns and operates Agronomy Advantage Inc. and lives on a farm just west of Dundalk, Ontario.
Presentation begins Monday January 13th, 2025 at 11:05 am.
Grain Market Outlook for 2025
Presented by: Steven Kell, Grain Merchant, Kell Grain Elevators
A recap of corn, wheat, and soybeans markets both in Ontario and around the world, in order to understand how prices are the way that they are today, and also explore some of the factors which might influence values and create opportunities for locking in better prices in the months ahead.
For the past 33 years, Steve Kell has been involved in the Ontario grain industry, both as an elevator operator and in merchandizing crops grown right across eastern Canada. In addition to trading grain, Steve operates a cash crop farm in Simcoe County, where he grows corn, soybeans, and wheat.
Presentation begins Monday January 13th, 2025 at 1:15 pm.
Changes in the Weather: Farming in a new Climatology
Presented by: Mark Robinson, Meteorologist, The Weather Network
Weather is the single most important aspect of agriculture and unfortunately it’s not under anyone’s control. With the changing climate, Ontario farmers are faced with even more unknowns. All is not lost! Understanding the weather and the changing Ontario climate is not impossible, and can position farmers for profits even as the climate changes. Mark Robinson is a meteorologist and storm chaser for the Weather Network and he will be talking not only weather, but what farmers will face in the future.
Mark Robinson is a Canadian adventurer, storm chaser and meteorologist. Named as one of Canada’s Top 100 Explorers by Canadian Geographic, Mark’s chased (and been chased) by tornadoes across the Great Plains of the United States and Canada. Mark has been intercepting hurricanes since 2005, and has documented many major storms including Katrina, Ike, and Sandy. He's also chased innumerable ice storms, blizzards, and snowstorms. Mark’s adventurous spirit has taken him around the globe. He has witnessed avalanches, experienced -110 degrees Celsius temperatures and jumped into both the Arctic and Southern (Antarctica) Oceans. When he's not seeking out intense adventures, Mark is a meteorologist and on-air personality at the Weather Network and hosts the shows StormHunters and Unearthed.
Presentation begins Monday January 13th, 2025 at 2:00 pm.
Driving Innovation at Grain Farmers of Ontario
Presented by: Dr. Josh Cowan, Director of Research & Innovation, Grain Farmers of Ontario
An update on research and knowledge transfer initiatives at Grain Farmers of Ontario: what we're up to, where we're headed, and how grain farmers can engage.
Dr. Josh Cowan is the director of research and innovation at Grain Farmers of Ontario. The team generates value for Ontario's grain farmers through establishing research priorities, strategic research investments, and engaging with research stakeholders to improve research capacity and outcomes. Dr. Cowan is also Vice President of the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance, an alliance of several producer and industry organizations across Canada that leads national grains research initiatives. Dr. Cowan has a BScH in biology from Acadia University and a PhD in plant pathology from the University of Guelph.
Presentation begins Monday January 13th, 2025 at 2:45 pm.
Drive Shed Theatre
Presented by: Peter Johnson, Agronomist, RealAgriculture
Bring your toughest questions or most complex crop issues to challenge and discuss with WheatPete in this fun, thought-provoking, free for all
Peter Johnson, @WheatPete, is the resident agronomist with Real Agriculture, where he posts a weekly podcast “Wheat Pete’s Word”. He is a regular on “Agronomy Monday” on Real Ag radio, Siruis Satellite Radio 147. Peter spent 30 years as the Ontario Cereal Specialist, and loves to talk anything agriculture, especially wheat! He leads the Middlesex Soil and Crop Improvement Association’s applied research program, is the Environmental Advocate for the Land Improvement Contractors of Ontario, and is a member of the Ontario Compaction Team. Peter operates a small farm near Lucan, Ontario, where he constantly tries out new production ideas, and where the “rubber hits the road”! He is enthusiastic and passionate about agriculture, and loves to be challenged by growers. So “have at him”!!!
Presentation begins Monday January 13th, 2025 at 3:25 pm.
And don't forget to take a look at the list of On-Demand presentations which you can watch throughout the conference and for the thirty days following! Use the button on the left to browse full details for those!
Check out the program for other conference days using the buttons below.
