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In The Corn Belt

Southwestern Ontario: An Island in the Heart of The Corn Belt

Location is the prime consideration in agriculture, especially in seed corn production. It’s also a key strength for Ontario’s seed corn industry.

Seed corn in Ontario is grown exclusively in the extreme southwestern tip of the province. This is themost southern point of the Canadian mainland. At 42 and 43 degrees north latitude, Ontario’s seed corn production zone is parallel to northern Illinois and central Iowa, and is further south than seed corn production in states such as Wisconsin, Michigan and Minnesota. From a more global perspective, southwestern Ontario is at approximately the same latitude as Rome.

Ontario’s latitude, however, is only half the story. The Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world, are an equally important factor. Because of the moderating influence of the lakes, southwestern Ontario has an island climate, buffered against the extremes that affect the central portions of the North American continent. The region is protected from excessive heat as well as from both early and late frosts, and provides essential rainfall, averaging approximately 35 inches per year. The climate is also more consistent from year to year. (See Yields for more details).

Of Ontario’s 8.8 million acres of farmland, over 800,000 acres of fertile soils lie in Essex and Kent counties, the centre of the province’s seed corn production.

Microclimates that are linked to the farming area’s precise proximity to the lakes, coupled with varying soil zones, offer a range of production opportunities to further reduce risks.

 

  • Seed Corn Prices (Click date for prices)

    • Seed Corn Prices for Thursday, April 18, 2019

  • Trusted News On The Go

    The views and opinions expressed in articles shared below are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Seed Corn Growers of Ontario.

    Maizex Seeds Expanding Seed Corn Production in Chatham-Kent

    Why won’t consumers listen?

    Norfolk takes centre stage

    Consider where seed is produced

    The 2018 Seed Corn Harvest

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  • About the SCGO

    Our principal mandate is to work with the individual seed corn companies to negotiate production contracts that not only make our growers competitive, but also provide incentives to produce excellent seed.

    We work to ensure that our growers are provided with the best information and programs to maintain and broaden their seed corn production skills.

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    825 Park Avenue West
    Chatham, Ontario
    N7M 5J6

    Phone: 519-352-6710
    Fax: 519-352-0526

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