By Mike Renzella
The Haldimand Press
SOUTH CAYUGA—Local agronomist Johanna Lindeboom of Clark Agri Service has always had an interest in farming and the environment.
Growing up on a hog/cash crop farm in Binbrook, Lindeboom went on to study environmental science at the University of Guelph, with the hopes that she could find a way to tie her knowledge base into agriculture.
“The problem was I had no idea what that would look like,” she said, noting that a chance summer job opportunity as a crop scouter set her on her path. “We were given one day that summer to job shadow anyone else within the company. I chose my boss because I could see myself doing the job long term.”
She went on to spend the next four summers in the position, through Cargill, and was hired by them as an agronomy associate when she graduated. She now works for Clark Agri Service, where she balances her time between their two offices, focusing on clients in the Haldimand area and up toward Binbrook.
So, what does an agronomist do exactly?
“When you think agronomist, think crop consultant. I often compare it to the role of an accountant but with crops instead of finances. We are trusted advisors who work with farmers to grow high quality, sustainable crops,” said Lindeboom, who primarily works with corn, soybeans, winter wheat, and forages.
She continued, “Most of my day-to-day roles in the winter include crop planning – deciding what is grown, what is sprayed, what is fertilized. One of the perks of working at a retail location is that we can plan ahead best we can to help ensure our customers have what products they need when it comes time to plant.”
Once warmer weather arrives, Lindeboom spends a lot of time in the fields assessing crop establishment, diagnosing problems, and providing recommendations on how best to solve them.
“As farms get larger and technology advances it’s a lot to ask of a farmer to be an expert equipment operator, crop specialist, grain marketer, mechanic, bookkeeper, livestock expert, and to know everything that’s going on in their fields all at the same time. It’s important to be able to do what you’re best at and to lean on others where needed.”
Lindeboom and her husband relocated to South Cayuga in 2017: “I really enjoy living and working here. As someone who moved around a lot early on in my career it’s been really rewarding staying in one place for a while and working with customers for multiple years in a row. Haldimand is a unique area in terms of crop production.”
On those unique challenges, she explained, “The majority of the county consists of heavy clay soil – the kind you could make pottery with. The one exception is a sandy loam pocket located in Dunnville. Clay soil takes longer to dry out, making fieldwork a challenge. Farmers do their best not to drive on fields when they’re wet because it causes compaction; creating yield-robbing layers in the soil so hard that neither roots nor water can get through.”
“This can often cause added stress to growers, especially during planting or harvest,” she continued. “For example, many growers in the area had to harvest corn or soybeans late this year due to the wet fall in 2021. Patience is key when it comes to working this ground; too soon and you’ll suffer the consequences of compaction. Too late and it will be so hard and dry you can barely pull your equipment through.”
On the flip side however, “One of the major benefits to having clay soil is that it holds nutrients. If you treat it well it will grow great crops.”
Lindeboom is a member of the Ontario Certified Crop Advisors Association (CCA), a highly sought-after designation: “The certification involves an exam, job experience, approval of an ethics committee, and continuing education.”
She also holds a Resistance Management Specialty designation, which she pursued with the intent to educate herself and others about pesticide resistance.
“Haldimand is now home to two glyphosate resistant weeds – Waterhemp and Canada Fleabane – which require extra effort to control in the cropping system…. As a community we are constantly raising awareness when we encounter new pests or problems in the field.”
“One interesting phenomenon about Haldimand is we always seem to get bugs. Alfalfa leafhopper, armyworm, really anything that can blow up from the US across Lake Erie happily finds its way to this southern province. Oftentimes we are one of the first provinces in Ontario to see issues, so it’s important to know critical growth periods and when to be watching your fields.”
With a strong focus on the environment these days, Lindeboom touched on some of the ways local farmers are being proactive: “Many farmers in the area are working to reduce tillage. It has been shown that tillage, while it is sometimes good for the soil, does burn carbon. It can also reduce soil structure. Reducing tillage has led to a decrease in erosion, an increase in soil structure, and a lesser fuel bill.”
She continued, “We have also started using nitrogen inhibitors in corn. These help to reduce nitrogen losses and increase crop yield. Our soil is very prone to denitrification and these products have been extremely helpful, especially in wet years.”
Summing up her career so far, and what she loves most about it, Lindeboom concluded, “If you asked me when I was a summer student I would’ve said I love working with plants. In my current role I have learned to love working with farmers. While it’s not always easy, they make the job rewarding and worth coming back to every day.”
