Ontario Agriculture

The network for agriculture in Ontario, Canada

Day 1: The journey begins

With blue skies and sun, we couldn’t have asked for a better day to start our North American Study Tour. The majority of the class gathered at the Rural Ontario Institute parking lot and we are thrilled to reunite with our classmates, and to see that our chariot is NOT a yellow school bus but in fact a coach bus. After Andy McTaggart confirms that all are present -- although it takes a couple of counts -- we start off on the first leg of our journey. Meghan Burke introduces us to our bus driver Nancy Watson, who comes from a dairy background, has four kids and has had 36 years of driving under her belt – we’re in good hands! The journey begins!

These buildings are situated right by Lake Ontario and there are plenty of rumours and stories associated with these historic structures and the people that resided within those walls. The historic homes along the lakeshore are stunning. We drive by Sir John A MacDonald’s home, Bellevue House, complete with red roof. Apparently his stay in Kingston was limited as his wife was unwell. Another stop worthy of noting is Queen’s University. The campus is relatively large but what is striking is the old limestone buildings that impart a similar feel to the University of Guelph. Blocks away are the Frontenac Courthouse, as well as the Sir John A MacDonald Park. After our tour, we search for a park to enjoy Colleen’s picnic lunch and find a historical waterfront park surrounded by modern conveniences and a diverse mix of Canadians all enjoying the picturesque sites. Lunch is delicious -- and who couldn’t turn down fresh strawberries and brownies!

With a couple of hours to kill, some of us venture down the city streets of Kingston. Many cafés and bistros in the area are located in old historic buildings which add to the ambiance of the city. There is no question that Kingston is a tourist draw with many taking in opportunities to experience a multitude of activities. With Canada celebrating 149 years as a country headed by countless leaders, some well known and others less so, all had the best of intentions of creating a better future. This is what has brought all of us together as AALP Class 16 and one can’t help but wonder what mark we will make on our respective journeys through life.

A tour of Kingston wouldn’t be complete without a boat tour of the Thousand Islands which is actually made up of about 1800 islands. Homes fronting onto the lake start at about $1,000,000, although we suspect these are hard to come by.This area is certainly not where you would find a starter home! Our boat tour takes us around a good portion of Wolfe Island. It boasts a strong agricultural sector. Wind turbines throughout the island capture the strong winds from the lake and provide renewable energy. Residents on the island no longer have to follow the Christmas tree lined path across Lake Ontario to get to the mainland, as a ferry service runs year round. With the sun still shining, today couldn’t be a better day to experience being out on the water. Time to head back onto the bus and make our way to Montreal!

The perfect end to our day involves the tastiest chicken and ribs at Bar-B-Barn, a local family run business. The day flew by but we are looking forward to more adventures!

-Class 16

Views: 466

Comment

You need to be a member of Ontario Agriculture to add comments!

Join Ontario Agriculture

Agriculture Headlines from Farms.com Canada East News - click on title for full story

Alberta Crops Still Above Average, But Moisture Extremes Mean Farmers Can Expect Two Different Harvest Stories

Provincial crop ratings remain stronger than the five-year average, but Alberta farmers are dealing with a sharp regional split: declining moisture in the South and Central regions and persistent wet conditions farther north. Alberta’s 2026 crop is still looking comparatively strong heading into August, but the provincial average masks very different conditions from one end of the province to the other. As of Aug. 4, 58.1 per cent of Alberta’s major crops were rated in good-to-excellent condition. That is well above the five-year average of 42.7 per cent and close to the 10-year average of 53.9 per cent. At the same time, the provincial rating slipped from 60.3 per cent a week earlier, reflecting growing pressure in several regions. The bigger story for farmers is the province’s moisture divide. Parts of southern and central Alberta continue to dry out, with soil moisture reserves declining. In the North East, North West and Peace regions, producers are facing almost the opposite p

Survey-Based Yield Estimates Show Mixed Outlook for 2026 U.S. Corn, Soybean Crops

The USDA’s first survey-based yield estimates of the season point to a lower average U.S. corn yield in 2026 but only a modest decline for soybeans, with wide differences among major producing states. In its August crop production estimates released Wednesday, the USDA pegged the national corn yield at 180.7 bu/acre, down from 186.5 bu in 2025. The U.S. soybean yield was forecast at 52.7 bu/acre, just below last year’s 53 bu. In the biggest Corn Belt states, Iowa’s 2026 corn yield is estimated at 216 bu/acre, up 6 bu from 210 last year. Illinois is projected at 212 bu/acre, down 2 bu from 214. Closer to the Great Lakes, Michigan slipped to 174 bu/acre from 178, while Ohio posted a notable increase to 195 bu from 185. Meanwhile, the average North Dakota corn yield is forecast at 142 bu/acre, down sharply from 158 last year. Despite Iowa’s higher yield, lower harvested acreage is expected to pull state corn production down slightly to 2.765 billion bu, a decline of less than 1% fro

USDA Forecasts Smaller U.S. Durum, Spring Wheat Crops

U.S. wheat production is headed for a steep year-over-year decline in 2026, with the USDA forecasting total output at just 1.53 billion bu, down 23% from 2025 and the lowest since 1970. Most of the decline is in winter wheat – with output now forecast at roughly 990 million bu, down about 29% on the year. However, Wednesday's USDA crop production report pared the 2026 U.S. durum and other spring wheat estimates as well. The drop in the durum estimate was particularly steep. The USDA now forecasts this year's American crop at 66.4 million bu, down 6% from its July estimate and 23% below last year. Following a review of acreage data, USDA reduced estimated durum planted area to 1.78 million acres, down 3% from the previous acreage estimate and 19% from 2025. Harvested area is forecast at 1.73 million acres, also 19% below last year. At the same time, the national durum yield was reduced to 38.4 bu/acre, down 1.5 bu from the July forecast and 2.2 bu from 2025. Farmers in North Dak

Saskatchewan Harvest Progress Stalls

Harvest stalled across Saskatchewan this past week as cooler weather slowed field operations, leaving just 2% of the provincial crop in the bin as of Monday, unchanged from the previous week. Progress remains behind both the five-year average of 6% and the 10-year average of 5%, although it is slightly ahead of last year’s 1%. According to Thursday's weekly provincial crop report, harvest activity continues to be concentrated in winter cereals, early seeded pulses and a few spring cereal crops, while much of the province’s crop is still developing. The Southwest remains furthest advanced at 5% harvested, followed by the Southeast and East-Central regions at 1%. Harvest has not yet begun in the West-Central, Northeast, or Northwest regions. Among individual crops, fall rye was 27% harvested and winter wheat 18% complete. Barley was at 4% harvested as of Monday, with oats at 2%. Spring wheat harvest remains negligible, while field peas are 5% complete and lentils 2%. Canola, soyb

On the Road with 4-H Alberta: 2026 Ag Next Gen Tour

Follow 12 4-H Alberta members as they spend 10 days exploring agriculture across central and southern Alberta during the 2026 4-H Ag Next Gen Tour. Day One | July 13 Tour Highlights Began the tour at the Alberta 4-H Centre Visited Colin Rice Feedlot and learned about beef production Took part in an interactive producer journey challenge at AFSC’s Lacombe Central Office Explored lending, insurance, claims and financial processing through hands-on activities Visited Pleasant Valley Oil Mills to learn about value-added agriculture Travelled to Rochon Sands Provincial Park for the evening Ag in action at AFSC Participants visited AFSC’s Lacombe Central Office for an interactive experience that followed the journey of a producer. Working in teams, participants moved through a series of stations focused on lending, insurance, claims and financial processing. Along the way, they worked through real-world scenarios and learned how different parts of AFSC support producers through every st

© 2026   Created by Darren Marsland.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service