Ontario growers take top spot in Great Lakes YEN

Guelph, Ont. and Lansing, Michigan – Grain Farmers of Ontario, Michigan State University, Michigan Wheat Program, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, and the University of Guelph recently announced the winners of the 2025-2026 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) program.

The winners of the Great Lakes YEN program for the highest yield include:

1. Jeff Cook (Ontario) – 163.2 bushels per acre
2. Ben Wilson (Michigan) – 154.0 bushels per acre
3. Doug Suwyn (Michigan) – 151.2 bushels per acre

The winners of this year’s highest percentage of yield potential achieved include:

1. Laurent Van Arkel (Ontario) – 108 per cent
2. Ben Wilson (Michigan) – 98 per cent
3. Dwight Bartle (Michigan) – 98 per cent

“The Great Lakes YEN continues to demonstrate how curiosity, innovation, and a commitment to learning can help growers unlock new levels of performance in their winter wheat crops,” said Paul Hoekstra, vice president, Strategic Development, Grain Farmers of Ontario.

“We congratulate this year’s winners and all participants for their dedication to pushing the boundaries of winter wheat production. It is especially exciting to see Ontario farmers claim both the top yield and top percentage of yield potential awards for the first time in the program’s. These accomplishments demonstrate what is possible when agronomic expertise, innovation, and attention to detail come together in the field.”

Participants in this year’s program also showed the value of attentive crop management, achieving an average yield of 112 bushels per acre, despite facing weather challenges and insect and disease pressures throughout the season.

Some of the season’s winter wheat highlights were:

• Winter wheat planting was generally successful across the region, despite dry conditions delaying seeding in some areas
• Winter survival was strong, with minimal winterkill and good spring stands across most fields
• A cool, wet spring slowed crop development and delayed field operations, but early disease pressure remained low
• Stripe rust emerged as the primary disease concern in Ontario, while cereal leaf beetle and true armyworm required increased scouting and management in some areas
• Favourable moisture supported strong yield potential through flowering and grain fill, although periods of heat may have reduced yields in some fields
• Despite disease, insect, and grain quality challenges in localized areas, proactive management helped many growers achieve strong yields and good overall crop performance