Focus on: Resources
Ontario launches new soils geo-hub
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) has launched the Ontario Soils GeoHub, a new free, online platform to help farmers make better use of provincial and federal soil data. The site allows producers to discover, visualize and download relevant soil information products such as the Ontario Topsoil Report and its dashboard, a localized Soils Spatial Search and more. It also features new pilot digital soil maps for the Ottawa area, and allows farmers to view soil properties such as pH levels, total organic carbon content, cation exchange capacity and soil texture at different depths.
Focus on: Equipment and tech
CaseIH awarded three agricultural honors
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) recognized Case IH with three awards for agricultural engineering excellence. Products recognized were: SenseApply
Sense and Act Sprayer Automation; Draft Tube Free Toolbar System for High-Tech Planting; and Seedbed Sense Speed Control Tillage Automation.
AEM recognized for safety work
Global non-profit, The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF), which seeks to improve cross-manufacturer compatibility in ag equipment, was recognized by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) with a prestigious AE50 award. The AE50 award was handed down for the organization’s communication standards supporting the global road safety initiative, Vision Zero. The safety initiative ensures vehicles can “see” and anticipate one another by enabling agricultural machinery to share vehicle position, driving intent, and hazard information with other road users in real time. The AEF is providing the common communication standards that support ag machinery OEMs in developing vehicles that can share information, helping to make rural areas safer, on and off the roads. “We are proud to win the esteemed AE50 award for road safety, as part of the Vision Zero initiative,” said Norbert Schlingmann, general manager, AEF, in a statement. “Agricultural machines, like tractors with implements or combine harvesters, are now able to communicate with cars, trucks, motorcycles, cyclists and infrastructure using a common digital language. This enables all drivers to react more quickly, helping prevent accidents in the future, and supporting broader global safety initiatives.”
JCB awarded military contract
JCB has been awarded a defence contract worth $205M, to supply 535 militarized 437HT wheel loaders to the USMC as part of the Tractor, Rubber Tired, Articulated-Steering Multi-Purpose (TRAM) vehicle program. This order marks the third consecutive competitive tender awarded to JCB by the Marine Corps, including a $45 million order for militarized versions of JCB’s 4CW backhoe loaders and a $39M deal for militarized versions of its tele skid compact tracked loader. “This repeat business from the U.S. Marine Corps underscores the reliability and mission-readiness of JCB machines,” said Richard Fox-Marrs, CEO of JCB North America, in a statement. “Being selected for three consecutive contracts speaks volumes about the trust placed in our engineering, performance and support.” JCB will supply a number of test machines to the USMC later this year, and full production is anticipated to begin in 2027.
Focus on: Trade
Canadian orgs praise new Chinese trade deal
The Canadian Agri-Food Trade Alliance (CAFTA) has issued a statement welcoming renewed, pragmatic engagement with China. The organization says these talks mark “an important first step toward restoring stability and predictability in the bilateral trading relationship despite remaining market access challenges.” Considering trade instability between Canada and other key partners such as the United States and China itself, recent reduced tariffs and other progress on unresolved issues is, according to CAFTA, “a positive development for the sector.” CAFTA says beyond the reduced tariffs on Canadian canola, there is potential for more trade agreements between the two nations.
Canada, Ontario invest $20M to enhance Ontario farm competitiveness
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $20 million through the new Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative to help farmers, food processors and agribusinesses sell more Ontario-grown products around the world. The Initiative will fund a variety of projects to increase competitiveness for farmers and agribusinesses and support their expansion into new and international markets as part of the provincial government’s plan to protect Ontario’s agribusiness sector. The Market Diversification and Trade Resiliency Initiative will open for applications on Feb. 17, 2026 to help Ontario farmers and agribusinesses expand domestic and international sales and strengthen production capacity through three funding streams: Market development and diversification implementation planning; Implement market development and diversification; and Implementation of equipment and technology.
Focus on: People Moves
New president ushered in at Syngenta
Syngenta Canada’s Trevor Heck has retired as of Jan. 1, following 34 years with the company. Having served 12 roles across Canada, North America and Europe during his time, Heck says he’s “deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished together” at the company. He’s been succeeded by the company’s longtime head of sales, Shaun Vey, whose promotion is effective Jan. 1. Vey has been with Syngenta 14 years, and has overseen sales and marketing initiatives such as the launch of the Miravis portfolio in Canada, as well as globally, as head of marketing for Syngenta U.K., Ireland & Nordics. Vey’s successor, the new head of sales for Syngenta Canada, will be announced shortly.
Irrigation giant Netafirm North America appoints first female SVP
Netafim has appointed Melissa Lilze as senior vice president, its top North America role, and the first woman to lead Netafim’s North America division. Lilze oversees the business across agriculture, landscape, wastewater, and mining, guiding teams operating in some of the most water-stressed regions on the continent. Lilze’s background is field-driven, built through nearly 20 years in agricultural sales and business development, with roles at PureSense, Agrian and Netafim.
