Discover Farming at Niagara’s Plowing Match 2025

Mar 20, 2025
By Farms.com

Canada’s Biggest Plowing Match Comes to Niagara

For the first time since 1926, Niagara Region will host the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) 2025, a major agricultural event bringing together farmers, exhibitors, and visitors from across Canada. This five-day event will run from September 16 to September 20 at the West Niagara Fairgrounds, offering a mix of agriculture, heritage, and modern farm technology.

The Ontario Plowmen’s Association (OPA) established the IPM in 1913 to celebrate farming and rural life. Over the years, it has grown into Canada’s largest rural expo, attracting tens of thousands of attendees. The highlight remains the plowing competitions, where participants use horse-drawn plows and advanced tractors to showcase their skills.

In addition to the competitions, visitors can explore interactive farm exhibits, rural goods and services, animal showcases, and daily entertainment. The event will also feature a rodeo, live demonstrations, and a tented city showcasing innovations in agriculture and farming technology.

Local organizers, including co-chair Renate McGillivray, are thrilled to welcome guests to the region. “We have a lot to offer in this part of the province and we couldn’t be happier to be hosting this year’s event,” said McGillivray.

Planning is in full swing, and organizers encourage people to get involved as sponsors, exhibitors, or volunteers. Those interested can visit www.plowingmatch.org/IPM2025 or follow updates on Facebook (2025 International Plowing Match & Rural Expo).

Photo Credit: Milton Young

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.