International Plowing Match brings rural and urban communities together

Sep 15, 2014

One year after the 100^th anniversary of the International Plowing Match (IPM) and Rural Expo was held in Perth County, near Mitchell, Ont., the event lives on. This year the IPM will be held in Simcoe County, near Ivy Ont., from September 16 to 20, 2014.

The theme for the 2014 plowing match “Good Old Days...Modern New Ways,” is fitting as the event showcases agriculture in the area, while providing an opportunity for both rural and urban people to gather to learn and celebrate agricultural history. The art and skill of plowing will be on display at the five-day event which is a staple spectacle of the festival. Plowing will occur with teams of heavy horses and in the more modern fashion with a tractor and plow - highlighting the past and the present.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the event. And there is lots to see and do. Over 800 acres of farmland will be transformed into IPM grounds that will be home to a number of exhibits, displays and plowing ground for competitors. The opening parade will kick off the event, which will start on Tuesday, followed by opening ceremonies. Jennifer Jones - Canada’s most decorated and recognizable female curling athlete, will grace the stage during opening remarks.

Other highlights include a concert by country singer Jason McCoy, which will take place during Saturday’s festivities. McCoy grew up in the area and is originally from Minesing, Ont. Tractor square dancing will also take place at this year's event. The Queen of the Furrow competition will occur throughout the first part of the week, with a new girl being crowned at a banquet dinner on the Thursday night of the match. Ten Ontario farm families will also be recognized at a private event on Saturday for their contributions to the farming community.

The Simcoe County Plowman’s Association in partnership with the County of Simcoe have been planning the event since 2011, when their bid to host the event was given the nod of approval by the Ontario Plowmen’s Association. The last time the plowing match came to the area was in 1997.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.