How global conflicts and a late spring are costing northern Ontario farmers

Farmers in northern Ontario are facing a challenging growing season due to delayed spring and geopolitical tensions.

It is typically one of the busiest windows of the year at Valley Growers Inc. in Blezard Valley, but the tractor engines started a little later than usual this spring.

Known as northern Ontario’s largest potato farm, Valley Growers faced a setback when a massive late-April storm dumped two feet of snow across the region.

“Farming up here in northern Ontario, our seasons are much shorter than the rest of the province,” said Justin Gaudet, owner and operator of Valley Growers.

“We usually get an early first frost, so a cold, wet spring can mean yield loss.”

Valley Growers is a fifth-generation, family-owned and operated farm. Gaudet said his farm has been affected by geopolitical tensions and high fuel costs.

“Obviously at the farm, we use large tractors and equipment. We burn a lot of fuel,” he said.

“So, our fuel cost is up quite a bit this year. Fertilizers, as well. Potatoes are quite heavy feeders.”

The Northern Ontario Farm Innovation Alliance said that localized weather unpredictability is increasingly colliding with volatile global politics.

“I always tell people, this gives us all the practice we need to go to Vegas because we become really good at gambling,” said Yves Gauthier, the Alliance’s president.

“But now we’re getting hit with higher fuel prices. And it’s not just the price of fertilizer -- it’s whether or not it’ll be here when we need it.”

According to the Grain Farmers of Ontario, international conflict has increased essential crop nutrient prices.

Jason Seed, District 15 Director for the Grain Farmers of Ontario, said a domestic 35 per cent tariff on Russian fertilizer imports is effectively penalizing local growers right when they are most vulnerable.

Surge in fertilizer prices

“The tariff we have on Russian fertilizer imports right now costs us about $100 a ton,” Seed said.

“But at the end of the day, the only thing that tariff is really affecting is Ontario farmers.”

Faced with a 10 per cent surge in fertilizer expenses, Gaudet has implemented precision agriculture to avoid wasting nutrients.

“We do a lot of soil mapping and soil testing to make sure that the fertility levels are perfect for the potatoes,” he said.

Gaudet said he is still looking at the season optimistically.

“In northern Ontario, we definitely get spoiled with the long days. And so we make up some of the daytime hours there,” he said.

“In farming, you never really know. So … whatever Mother Nature sends you, that’s what you take.”

Gaudet said he encourages the community to continue to shop locally.

“Farmers try very hard to produce good quality food,” he said.

“Supporting local and supporting small businesses and eating produce that comes from the province or the country is a good step.”