How do Canadian Farmers Decide What to Plant in Their Fields Each Year?
This article was written for our soybean export buyers by the Sevita International Export Team. For grower-related questions, please contact your local Sevita representative.
Most farmers across Canada have a long-term crop rotation plan. This means they plant a different crop type on a field each year. The crop type and how many different crops depend on each farmer's unique situation. For example, a farmer in Ontario may only rotate corn and soybeans each year. A different farmer in Manitoba may rotate between soybeans, canola, and wheat each year.
The majority of farmers across Canada follow some form of crop rotation plan because they recognize the benefits it provides in the short and long term:
- Soil Nutrients: Different crops require different nutrients for optimal production. By rotating crops, farmers can prevent the depletion of nutrients. Some crops add nutrients into the soil for the next crop to use the following year and reduce the need for expensive fertilizers.
- Soil Structure: Different crops have different root systems which benefit the soil structure year after year. After the growing season, the different plant roots and stems are left in the field to add different types of compost (organic material).
- Pest Control: Certain insects and diseases target specific types of field crops and can live in the soil over the winter (for example Soybean Cyst Nematode). By rotating which crop is grown, farmers can help control and lower pest populations and reduce the amount of pesticides needed.
- Weed Control: By rotating crops in a field, farmers can rotate which chemicals they use to control weeds. Certain crop species are better at competing with weeds than others. This helps prevent weed resistance and control weeds in the following years.
In the short term, good rotations can help with weed management and pests like Soybean Cyst Nematode in soybeans. In the long term, soil health is improved and cropping systems are more sustainable. Good soil health means higher and more stable yields and therefore greater profitability for the farmer.
Crop rotation plans may change depending on several factors, including input costs (seed, fertilizer, pesticides), market demand prices, field conditions, planting and harvest season weather, and more.
What is a typical crop rotation for Canadian Farmers?
Typical rotations depend on the individual farm and the growing conditions. In Ontario and Quebec, a standard rotation is corn and soybeans. Many farmers are introducing winter wheat as well. Farmers in Manitoba typically rotate wheat, canola, and more recently soybeans. Farmers with livestock often have forages like grass and alfalfa in rotation and spread manure on their land to further help with soil health.
How do farmers select what field is suitable for IP soybeans?
Mike Staebler, a Sevita Food Grade grower and employee, says:
“Within my regular planned rotation, I look at the fields scheduled for soybeans and then decide if they are suitable for IP soybeans. I determine this based on my past experiences on those fields and the weed situation that is there. I have one field with past nightshade weed issues so I no longer plant food-grade beans there.”
One of the greatest challenges with food-grade soybeans is weed control. Many growers will avoid some of their problem fields with challenging weeds to prevent quality issues. Diseases, insects, and other pests will create production or quality issues and result in significant issues sooner or later.
Does Sevita have any requirements or guidelines that ensure farmers are implementing these practices?
Sevita recommends that growers grow soybeans once every 3 years. For fields that have serious Soybean Cyst Nematode issues, longer rotations are recommended. Sevita’s only rotation requirement for growers is that they do not plant IP non-GMO soybeans into a field that had GMO soybeans the previous year.
For additional information or questions, please contact the Sevita Export team
