Editorial: Race to the finish

Nearly six weeks into spring, Mother Nature finally decided to co-operate and provide the type of weather needed to start planting across most of the province.

It was ‘go time’ during the first two weeks of May and social media channels were full of photos from excited farmers showing off their progress. The weather remained dry across the province for the most part, but some areas such as Huron and Grey counties and eastern Ontario had planting progress hampered by isolated, heavy rains.

But by the time this issue arrives in your mailbox, planting in the province should be nearly complete.

Despite the slow start, Ontario has fared better than some other provinces, particularly Manitoba. Flooding and heavy rains meant planting was nearly impossible for many parts of the province earlier this month. MarketsFarm reported that as of May 17, planting progress in Manitoba was only at four per cent. The five-year average is 50 per cent done by mid-May.

Although Ontario’s weather cleared up in the nick of time, the planting season hasn’t been without its challenges.

Skyrocketing fuel and fertilizer prices and supply chain disruptions have increased costs considerably and made finding new equipment or finding parts to fix existing equipment extremely difficult, or impossible. Couple that with geopolitical factors, such as the Russian war on Ukraine and resulting trade sanctions, which seem to change by the day, and nothing is certain anymore.

But as they usually do, farmers are getting the job done, even if it isn’t following a typical plan. This is due in part, I think, of the strong community spirit that exists in agriculture. Just as an example, throughout this planting season I’ve seen numerous farmers reach out on social media looking for equipment parts or advice on planting rates and on calibrating equipment.

Other farmers and agricultural companies have been quick to offer help, despite facing their own supply and time pressures.

Of particular interest this year is optimizing nitrogen application and the use of inhibitors and inoculants. Using fertilizer efficiently is key this year, and I expect nitrogen management will offer many lessons and learning opportunities.

This may be a silver lining, as government programs are asking the agriculture industry to reduce fertilizer use.

Another silver lining is that commodity prices have remained high, which will likely buffer the higher input costs somewhat this season.

But U.S. planting progress will be a key factor. In its weekly Chicago Board of Trade report, MarketsFarm reported that the rally in soybean and wheat prices may ease as spring plantings in the U.S. progress. Terry Reilly, senior agriculture futures analyst for Futures International in Chicago, said in the report that prices may decrease but they won’t go sideways.

In addition to planting progress, he said that India’s newly-implemented ban on wheat exports starting May 14 due to a severe heat wave was the major reason for rallying wheat prices. The report said the ban was later modified on May 17 to allow outgoing shipments awaiting customs clearance as well as exports to Egypt.

He added that “recent interest in soybeans from China had raised prices for the crop, although the pace of corn and soybean plantings has been slower than normal this spring so far.”

And to add fuel to the fire this spring, there is a provincial election June 2.

Agriculture doesn’t seem to be a key issue for any of the parties, but some parties have given in more thought than others. We’ve provided a breakdown on what each political party has included in their platforms for agriculture, as the run-up to the election has come at a very busy time.

Organizations such as the Ontario Federation of Agriculture have been trying hard to get pertinent issues in front of regional candidates.

OFA president Peggy Brekveld told Farmtario that election time provides a great opportunity to meet and engage with candidates, whether or not they are elected because they are recognized as community leaders.

“Those conversations beyond this election period will have lasting impacts,” she said.

No matter which party is elected, farmers will get the job done. Let’s just hope elected officials start recognizing how important that job is.

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Source: Farmtario.com