Managing farming risks in challenging times

By Sara Wood, Vice President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture

There are few things that Canadians talk about more than the weather, and that’s even more true of farmers. Whether it’s too wet or dry, too hot or cold, a late season frost or storms that bring damaging wind or hail – those of us who farm are focused on what happens outdoors.

That’s because more than almost anything else, weather directly impacts our farming businesses, our communities and our food supply, and those impacts are expected to continue as extreme weather events become more common.

In recent years, there have been several extreme weather events that have significantly impacted agricultural production. The billion-dollar derecho storm of 2022, with its severe winds and hail and the devastating drought in northwestern Ontario in 2021 are examples of the growing challenges posed by climate change.

These events not only damage crops and infrastructure but also disrupt the entire supply chain of agricultural production, posing a significant threat to both the economy and food security.