Program
The 2027 SouthWest Agricultural Conference will take place January 5–6, 2027 at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus. This year’s theme, Thriving in Turbulence: Strength, Strategy, and Success in Agriculture, will guide a practical and timely program focused on helping farmers, agronomists, crop advisers, and agri-business professionals navigate change, uncertainty, and opportunity in agriculture.
Feature Speakers
Jacob Shapiro
7. Geopolitics and the Future of Agriculture
Tuesday, January 5, 2027
1:00 - 1:55pm
Pioneer - Agronomy Agri-Theatre 137* (Livestreamed)
Trade disputes, global conflicts, shifting supply chains, and new technologies are changing the business of farming. This presentation will explore how major geopolitical and economic trends are affecting agricultural markets, input costs, trade opportunities, and risk. Farmers will gain practical insights to help make sense of today’s changing world and identify opportunities for their operations in an increasingly complex global marketplace.
Dan Riskin
8. The Power of Curiosity: How Science Shapes our World
Wednesday, January 6, 2027
1:00 - 1:55pm
Pioneer - Agronomy Agri-Theatre 137* (Livestreamed)
Dan brings his trademark blend of science communication, sharp wit, and infectious curiosity. Whether he’s breaking down emerging science or sharing stories from the field, his sessions leave people thinking differently and excited about what comes next.
January 5th - Morning Session Times & Locations
8:00am - 9:00am | REGISTRATION
Rudy H. Brown Development Centre (RDC)
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES served from 8:00am to 9:00am
RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium | Sponsored By: Chatham-Kent
11. Soybean Weed Playbook
Agronomy Agri-Theatre 137* (Livestreamed) | Room Sponsor: PIONEER
Dr. Peter Sikkema, UGRC Retired
Do Economic Thresholds apply to all weed species? How does the Critical Weed-free Period affect weed management?
17. Drone 101
Agronomy 126/127 | Room Sponsor: Libro
Adam Pfeffer, Bayer Crop Science; Adrian Rivard, Drone Spray Canada
Can drones replace a highclearance sprayer? Adam and Adrian have the experience to know.
24. The Power of Banding
RDC 110 Syngenta Classroom | Room Sponsor CANZA
Greg Stewart, GASCANAG; Ben Rosser, OMAFA
Side-band, deep band, surface band, zone band, jazz band, making corn dance!
Industry Tradeshow/Refreshments
RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium | Sponsored by: Agromart
13. Drying 25% to 15% for $2
RDC Pioneer Lecture Theatre | Room Sponsor FCC
Greg Dineen, Kenilworth, ON
No gas, no propane, no biomass, no problem. Heat Pump grain drying arrives for corn as wet as 40%.
36. [WORKSHOP #1] Should This Beon the Road? VEHICLES/TRAILERS
***Pre-Registration Required***
MTO - Engineering Building Room 1 & 2 | Room Sponsor: MTO
Matt Mitchell & Tyler Munro, Ministry of Transportation; TJ Poehlman, UGRC
A hands-on walkthrough to keep your trucks and machinery safe and legal on the highway.
January 5th - Afternoon Session Times & Locations
32. The AI Edge
Agronomy Agri-Theatre 137* (Livestreamed) | Room Sponsor: PIONEER
Dr. Felippe Karp, Olds College; Nicole Robert, AGRIS Co-operative Ltd.
You’re already using AI - the practical ways to turn your data into dollars while avoiding the pitfalls.
19. More BUGS!
Agronomy 126/127 | Room Sponsor: Libro
Dr. Lauren Des Marteaux, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Dr. Jocelyn Smith, UGRC
Rootworm, wheat midge, aphids and more. Lauren and Jocelyn bring the latest management techniques.
31. Optimizing Corn Management
RDC 110 Syngenta Classroom | Room Sponsor CANZA
Lucas Borras, Corteva
Yield increases have decoupled from the need for higher plant densities.
Industry Tradeshow/Refreshments
RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium | Sponsored by: Agromart
33. Calcium, Sulphur, and pH Matter!
RDC Pioneer Lecture Theatre | Room Sponsor FCC
Dr. Jeff Andresen, Michigan State University
Recent weather anomalies, long-term trends, and the implications of unpredictable conditions for agriculture.
SWAC Workshops
Workshop #1
Should This Be on the Road?
VEHICLES/TRAILERS WORKSHOP
Matt Mitchell, Tyler Munro, Ministry of Transportation; TJ Poehlman, UGRC
DAY 1 Morning | 9:00am-10:55am
Day 2 Afternoon | 2:10pm-4:00pm
A hands-on walkthrough to keep your trucks and machinery safe and legal on the highway.
Workshop #2
Should This Be on the Road?
FARM EQUIPMENT WORKSHOP
Matt Mitchell, Tyler Munro, Ministry of Transportation; TJ Poehlman, UGRC
DAY 1 Afternoon | 2:10pm-4:00pm
Day 2 Morning | 9:00am-10:55am
A hands-on walkthrough to keep your trucks and machinery safe and legal on the highway.
January 6th - Morning Session Times & Locations
8:00am - 9:00am | REGISTRATION
Rudy H. Brown Development Centre (RDC)
BREAKFAST SANDWICHES served from 8:00am to 9:00am
RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium | Sponsored By: Pride Seeds
31. Optimizing Corn Management
Agronomy Agri-Theatre 137* (Livestreamed) | Room Sponsor: PIONEER
10. Science Backed Soybeans
Agronomy 126/127 | Room Sponsor: Libro
15. The Biology Beneath
RDC 110 Syngenta Classroom | Room Sponsor CANZA
Industry Tradeshow/Refreshments
RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium | Sponsored by: Dekalb
14. Productive Tender Nurses
RDC Pioneer Lecture Theatre | Room Sponsor FCC
36. [WORKSHOP #2] Should This Beon the Road? FARM EQUIPMENT
***Pre-Registration Required***
MTO - Engineering Building Room 1 & 2 | Room Sponsor: MTO
January 6th - Afternoon Session Times & Locations
34. Grain Guru
Agronomy Agri-Theatre 137* (Livestreamed) | Room Sponsor: PIONEER
JAN 6th ONLY - Ben Buckner, Ag Resource Co.
Ben breaks down the market forces shaping grain prices and what they mean for your bottom line.
11. Soybean Weed Playbook
Agronomy 126/127 | Room Sponsor: Libro
Dr. Peter Sikkema, UGRC Retired
Do Economic Thresholds apply to all weed species? How does the Critical Weed-free Period affect weed management?
23. Why Did You Put It There?
RDC 110 Syngenta Classroom | Room Sponsor CANZA
Rob Northmore, Technical and Standard Safety Authority
Considerations for on-farm fuel storage to avoid costly or dangerous mistakes.
Industry Tradeshow/Refreshments
RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium | Sponsored by: Dekalb
27. Making Every Pass Count
RDC Pioneer Lecture Theatre | Room Sponsor FCC
Mark Robson, Case IH
Optimizing tillage equipment setup, operation, and field performance to get the most value from your investment.
Meal & Refreshments
Breakfast
SWAC breakfast sandwiches are available from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. in the RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium. Sponsored by: Chatham-Kent (Day 1) & Pride Seeds (Day 2)
Lunch
January 5
SWAC lunch is offered in two formats: Buffet lunch sponsored by John Deere served at 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. in Willson Hall, or boxed lunch sponsored by Hensal Co-op in the RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium.
January 6
SWAC lunch is offered in two formats: Buffet lunch sponsored by CASE IH served at 11:00 a.m. or 12:00 p.m. in Willson Hall, or boxed lunch sponsored by BASF in the RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium.
Industry Tradeshow / Refreshments
SWAC Industry Tradeshow/Refreshments will be available in the RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium during the tradeshow periods across the daytime schedule on both January 5 and January 6. Sponsored By Agromart (Day 1) & Dekalb (Day 2)
Taste Ontario
The Premiere SWAC event Taste Ontario - Sponsored By: Bayer & Maizex takes place January 5, 4:10 to 6:00 p.m. in the RDC Don J Pestell Gymnasium.
