SWAT Partner Announcement: Banks Agro

The SWAT MAPS team is excited to welcome Banks Agro as our newest service provider in Morrisburg, Ontario.

Working with farmers across eastern Ontario, Banks Agro provides practical, data-driven agronomic services that help growers make confident decisions in the field. Through digital agronomy support, they combine hands-on expertise with advanced data tools. The approach to soil sampling and mapping gives farmers a clearer understanding of their soils and helps tailor management practices for better efficiency and improved results.

“Our digital agronomy support includes data-driven soil sampling that allows us to create a variety of maps that can easily be transferred to equipment to be used in the field,” says Kelsey Banks of Banks Agro. “We want to work with the grower to reduce stress while improving soil and crop management.”

In order to strengthen their ability to help farmers grow high-quality, better-yielding crops, Banks Agro looked for a tool that could provide deeper insight into the soil and field itself.

“To get a better idea of what the soil and crop need to grow a high-quality, better-yielding crop, we needed a tool to gain more information about the soil and field itself,” says Banks. “SWAT MAPS was the answer. I wanted to offer farmers in my area this tool so they can have a more focused crop plan that benefits them—sustainably and financially.”

By integrating SWAT MAPS, Banks Agro is equipping Ontario farmers with powerful insights to support better management decisions, improved productivity, and long-term soil health.

Join us in welcoming Banks Agro to our elite network of SWAT MAPS service providers. Stay tuned with what’s happening in their corner by following them on LinkedIn: BanksAgro and Instagram: @BanksAgro.

Contact:
Kelsey Banks
613-295-9931
banksagroagronomy@gmail.com

Moving Ahead of the Agronomy Curve with Premium SWAT MAPS Partner, P.T. Sullivan Agro Inc.

What started as Paul T. Sullivan’s independent agronomy business in 1996 has grown to become a team of six full-time staff who serve farmers in the Ottawa Valley in Eastern Ontario. Now nearly 30 years in business, P.T. Sullivan Agro brings advanced tech and field knowledge to farmers looking to manage productivity, profitability and managing impacts of weather variability.

“We have a skilled team who can anticipate changes or threats in the field. We provide advice that helps farmers to get the most out of what they’re putting into their crop,” says Sullivan. Return on investment is the goal.

Offering a wide range of services such as pre-season crop planning, in-season crop management, on-farm research and plot work, P.T. Sullivan Agro places value on one-on-one relationships with farmers and provides on-farm consultations. With in-field assessment of soil conditions, crop staging and root development, the team prides themselves on authenticity in observations and advice. By developing a crop rotation, and unique hybrid selection, fertility and pest management program by field, they set up the season for best management approaches and outcomes.

“Scouting has been a big part of our business. Our staff, including summer interns, spend time in field monitoring crop development, soil sampling, and taking plant tissue for analysis,” says Sullivan. “In Ontario, farmers appreciate in-season information. We have found that a systems approach of soil and topography-based sampling and mapping provides timely data. With data in-hand, growers can see the value in precision ag practices like variable rate applications”

A key agronomy offering is the use of the SWAT ECOSYSTEM, which brings comprehensive understanding to what’s happening in the field - the soil, water availability and field topography. Sullivan says integrating SWAT MAPS into their agronomy work bring what growers may be seeing in the field into maps and data that can provide the basis for better management of crop inputs.

“We use these SWAT concepts to categorize low spots or water collecting areas, shoulder slopes, upper slopes, and so on. We have SWAT MAPS embedded into our scouting platform so that we can easily scout fields based on SWAT zones. We use SWAT information in everything we manage in the field. It becomes a very powerful tool to have at our fingertips.”

Sullivan Agro began pursuing corn hybrid evaluation trials to observe the impact of stress on yield components in corn development time periods in 2019. Understanding important yield factors such as kernels per acre, kernel mass (perhaps both simultaneously), and overlaying that information onto a SWAT MAP allows them to create planting prescriptions to increase or decrease populations according to probability of moisture availability. Similar work in soft winter wheat is also underway.

“We can now anticipate where those differences will be in the field. Understanding corn hybrid characteristics offers a perspective like never before and pulls everything together in a way so we can act on variable rate seeding and fertility, as well as fungicide applications based on the soil textures and water holding capacities. These are agronomy concepts that we are building upon with SWAT maps.”

The SWAT MAPS Team is proud to work alongside passionate service providers like P.T. Sullivan Agro. Learn more about their business and what’s happening in their corner by following them on social media or visiting their website:

X: @SullivanAgro
Website: https://sullivanagro.ca/

Contact:
Paul Sullivan, CCA-ON
613-223-2317
paul@sullivanagro.ca

Farmers: visit https://swatmaps.com/find-a-service-provider/ to find a SWAT MAPS Service Provider near you.

Hawk’s Agro on Strengthening Farmer Relationships, Changing Mindsets Around VR, and Finding Early Wins with SWAT MAPS

Since joining the SWAT MAPS partner network in 2023, Hawk’s Agro has continued to strengthen its commitment to helping farmers reach their goals through local expertise and advanced agronomic tools. Founded in 2009, the company has grown steadily and now operates seven locations across Saskatchewan in Central Butte, Gravelbourg, Neville, Moose Jaw, Rouleau, Strongfield, and Swift Current. Each location is filled with a team dedicated to delivering products, service, and insights that help farmers make confident decisions.

Hawk’s Agro has always taken pride in knowing its customers’ operations as well as they do. For Mackenzie Seidle, Precision Agronomy Lead, SWAT MAPS fits naturally into that philosophy.

“Providing SWAT MAPS as a tool to help farmers plan for successful futures has allowed customers to understand their operations on a deeper level, which means we can serve them even better,” Mackenzie explains.

Over the past two years, the team has seen how SWAT MAPS can change grower perceptions about variable rate technology. Some farmers were initially hesitant, especially those who had tried NDVI-based VR maps in the past with mixed results. By using SWAT MAPS, Hawk’s Agro has been able to show producers firsthand how accurate zone mapping can reveal true variability within a field and how that insight translates into improved efficiency and yield potential. The impact has been especially clear in irrigation acres.

“Farmers often see a return on their investment within the first year and are quick to expand to more acres after seeing the results,” says Mackenzie.

Precision agriculture has become a core focus area for Hawk’s Agro. The company has built a team dedicated solely to supporting variable rate and agronomic decision making, allowing for specialized attention and expertise. Mackenzie believes this structure helps ensure that growers receive guidance rooted in data rather than broad assumptions.

“Agronomy is such a broad field, and one person cannot specialize in everything,” she says. “Having designated staff focused on specific areas allows us to bring specialized knowledge directly to our growers. I truly believe that we have some of the best people working in our company to help customers reach their goals.”

Hawk’s Agro continues to learn, grow, and advocate for the benefits of understanding the soil from the ground up. The team is also expanding its network, recently partnering with AgroPlus in Alberta to share knowledge and strengthen irrigation management support in their region.

Looking ahead, Mackenzie sees precision agriculture as an area with enormous potential.

“Since healthy soil is the root of a productive crop, it makes sense to start there and manage each zone to the best of our ability.”

With a passionate team, strong grower relationships, and a clear commitment to innovation, Hawk’s Agro is proving that the future of precision agronomy in Saskatchewan is built on understanding what lies beneath the surface. The SWAT MAPS Team is proud to work alongside passionate, independent agronomy service providers like Hawk’s Agro. Learn more about what’s happening in their corner by following them on social media or visiting their website:

Website: https://hawksagro.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/HawksAgroSWSK/
X: @HawksAgro
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hawks-agro/

Farmers: visit https://swatmaps.com/find-a-service-provider/ to find a SWAT MAPS Service Provider near you.

SWAT Partner Announcement: Wanless Ag Consulting

The SWAT MAPS team is thrilled to welcome Wanless Ag Consulting Ltd. as our newest Canadian-based service provider, proudly serving the Reston/Virden, Manitoba area.

Founded and operated by Lane Wanless, Wanless Ag Consulting offers trusted, independent agronomic advice built on over 25 years of hands-on experience. From fieldwork to full farm management, Wanless brings deep knowledge and a practical, farmer-first approach to every client he works with. Additionally, he works with all ag suppliers to help farmers choose products and strategies that truly fit their unique operations.

When asked what made him choose to partner with SWAT MAPS, Wanless shared:
“I was drawn to SWAT MAPS because it’s based on soil data rather than satellite imagery. I like that I can be hands-on throughout the entire process, from analysis to recommendation. That’s important to me.”
With Wanless’s expertise and commitment to precise soil management, farmers in the Reston/Virden area can benefit from zone-based strategies that support more informed decisions, greater efficiency, and improved profitability.

“I believe SWAT MAPS will reward growers by growing more bushels on the land they have today to be more profitable into the future,” said Wanless.

Welcome, Wanless Ag Consulting! We look forward to seeing the positive impact this new partnership will make in the region. Be sure to stay up to date with Wanless Ag on Facebook: Wanless Ag Consulting.

Contact:
Lane Wanless
204-851-4816
lane@wanlessag.com

A Comprehensive Approach to Agronomy: Moose Jaw Co-op

With a diversified operation and a comprehensive approach to agronomic services, Moose Jaw Co-op excels in delivering tailored solutions for farmers’ success thanks to its highly skilled Crop Input Team.

The team, based throughout south-central Saskatchewan, has been riding high over the past few years, from first becoming a SWAT MAPS service provider in 2019, to opening doors on a new agronomy centre in 2022, to adding a fertilizer floater to their line of equipment in 2023, and being recognized by the SIA with an AGEX award in 2025. Despite their success, they continue to prioritize reliability and trustworthiness in every interaction with farmers.

“Our attention to detail is what sets us apart,” says Agronomy Manager, Troy McInnis. “The team always takes the time to explain processes and include farmers in detailed management factors. Our growers have invested a lot of time working with our agronomists and we really appreciate it. This investment in time has allowed us to better understand their farm, and more importantly makes us better at our job.”

The tailored guidance provided by the team stems from their extensive range of agronomy tools, including crop planning and scouting, product selection and delivery, seed treatments, fertilizer, and precision ag services including SWAT MAPS. McInnis explained how with SWAT MAPS, agronomists gain a clear understanding of a farmer’s soil resource, which allows them to enhance their expertise through providing recommendations specific to a grower and their field.

“SWAT MAPS aligns with our business philosophy of benefitting the customer and our ability to serve the customer. It provides a common sense approach for us and allows for a close working relationship between growers and agronomists, which benefits our retail business and agronomy at the farm level.”

The Crop Input Team has found SWAT MAPS to be especially useful in areas of managing salinity and plant populations, based on grower feedback.

“In saline areas, increased seeding rates have helped establish more plants to compete with weeds and in some instances, improve yields, especially in the slightly saline soil surrounding the ‘bad stuff’,” McInnis explained. “Also, it’s always a good feeling to dial back the fertilizer expenses in saline areas of a field where yields are lower.”

Other valuable insights emerged from working with lentils.

“When I started working with SWAT MAPS, I had the ‘fertilizer blinders’ on and discounted the benefit of using SWAT MAPS with pulse crops. After a few seasons working with SWAT MAPS in our more rolling landscapes, I realized that managing our lentil stands through variable rate seeding provided a lot of value.”

Looking ahead, the team at Moose Jaw Co-op aims to grow their business in one simple way: by adding value to their farmers’ operations. They will continue to enhance their expertise in precision agronomy by focusing on variable rate seed and fertilizer recommendations, and use this knowledge to further guide decisions on variable rate fungicides. As a co-operative, the team also continually invests heavily into their community through both patronage paid out to members along with donations and support for community events, organizations and projects.

The SWAT MAPS Team is proud to work alongside passionate service providers like Moose Jaw Co-op. Learn more about their business and what’s happening in their corner by following them on social media or visiting their website:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MooseJawCoopAgriculture
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/moose-jaw-co-op/
Website

SWAT Partner Announcement: King Agricultural Consulting Ltd.

After nearly 30 years of successful agronomic consulting in central Alberta, King Agricultural Consulting Ltd. has expanded its services to include the SWAT ECOSYSTEM.

Owner Lance Gaboury said “SWAT MAPS was the next step that made the most sense with furthering the business offerings into the world of precision agriculture”.

“After hearing many positive things from trusted agronomists, I believe it’s the best system out there,” he said. “Our main goal with SWAT MAPS is to reduce lodging in fields, and we look forward to working with our farmers to achieve promising results with this technology.

Gaboury began at the company in 2010 working with farmers located mostly between the Trochu and Acme area on a variety of crops such as peas, barley, lentils, canola, wheat, and fall rye. In 2022, Gaboury became the sole owner of the business and maintains the values that have built, and continue to build, trustworthy relationships with staff and farmers in the area.

“We have farmers with us from 1996, so the retention rate has been really good and I believe it’s because we always strive to put the farmer first,” he said. “Farmers in general, are awesome people, and our group of clients are unbelievable.”

Please join us in welcoming King Agricultural Consulting to our elite network of SWAT MAPS service providers. If you’d like to get in touch, Lance Gaboury can be reached via the following:

Contact:
Lance Gaboury
403-506-0424
lancegaboury@gmail.com

SWAT Partner Announcement: AgronomyTec

The SWAT MAPS team is excited to welcome AgronomyTec as a new SWAT MAPS service provider located in Austin, Minnesota!

With years of agronomy experience and knowledge up his sleeve, owner Steve Hubly is now bringing precision ag solutions into his new business offerings with AgronomyTec.

“By bringing on SWAT MAPS we are offering something new in the area that is starting to gain a lot of traction,” said Hubly. “It will be a big bonus to be able to utilize zone technology for variable rate seeding and nitrogen recommendations.”

AgronomyTec currently serves farmers out of the southern Minnesota area and aims to branch into northern Iowa to reach farmers looking to build a strategy for getting the best return on crop inputs.

Join us in welcoming AgronomyTec to our elite network of SWAT MAPS service providers. If you’d like to get in touch, Steve can be reached via the following:

X: @SteveHubly

Contact:
Steve Hubly
507-676-0477
agronomytec@gmail.com

SWAT Partner Announcement: FieldFocus Agronomy

The SWAT MAPS team is excited to welcome FieldFocus Agronomy as a new SWAT agronomy service provider located in the Humboldt, Saskatchewan area.

Owner Brandon Smith, previously a Croptimistic employee, brings years of field experience with both field scouting and variable rate fertility. As a regional expert in SWAT agronomy, he looks forward to growing the SWAT MAPS business with his clients in hopes of broadening their knowledge and perspectives on their fields and ultimately improving their ROI.

“I’ve been working with SWAT MAPS for a decade now, it’s all I know!” said Smith. “The journey prior to beginning a new business venture was filled with great networking, discoveries in agronomy and hands-on learning in the field. I could not be more excited to see what the future holds as we embark down this path.”

Welcome, FieldFocus Agronomy! To find out the latest on what’s happening in their world, get connected on social media:

Facebook: FieldFocus Agronomy
X: @BrandonAgronomy

Contact:
Brandon Smith
306-322-7893
fieldfocusagronomy@gmail.com

Croptimistic Technology announced as a ‘Saskatchewan’s Top Employer’ for 2025

REGINA, February 4, 2025 – With a strong economy that’s resilient in the face of economic headwinds, Saskatchewan has long been an attractive place to work and live. Employers in the province are raising the bar by providing employees with better family-friendly benefits and skills upgrading that will help them succeed as technology advances rapidly. The best of these initiatives were recognized this morning as Saskatchewan’s Top Employers (2025) was announced by Mediacorp Canada Inc., organizers
of the annual Canada's Top 100 Employers project.

Here are some of the reasons why Croptimistic Technology Inc. was selected as one of Saskatchewan's Top Employers (2025):

“Economies that go through dramatic boom and bust cycles are usually the ones we read about in
the news, but it’s places like Saskatchewan — with its reliable and steady economic growth —
that provides true peace of mind to employees,” says Richard Yerema, executive editor at the Canada’s Top 100 Employers project. “Employees value the security that comes with being able to count on a reliable employer and feeling confident that your livelihood — and the life you’ve built for your family — is secure.”

Founded in 1992, Mediacorp Canada Inc. is the nation’s largest publisher of employment
periodicals. Since 1999, the Toronto-based publisher has managed the Canada’s Top 100
Employers
project, which includes 19 regional and special-interest editorial competitions that
reach millions of Canadians annually through a variety of magazine and newspaper partners,
including The Globe and Mail. Mediacorp also operates Eluta.ca, one of Canada’s largest job
search engines, used by millions of job-seekers annually to find new job postings and discover
what the nation’s best employers are offering.

The full list of Saskatchewan’s Top Employers (2025) was announced today in a special
magazine published online in the Regina Leader-Post and Saskatoon StarPhoenix, as well as on
Eluta.ca. Detailed ‘reasons for selection’ for each of this year’s winners, including dozens of
stories and photos about their initiatives, were released today by the editors and are accessible
via the competition homepage.

Read Mediacorp Canada's official media release here.

Further information:
Chantel Watkins, Assistant Editor, chantel.watkins@mediacorp.ca

CropMax Consulting: Finding new VR scenarios, the ground up approach, and 10 years of business success

Servicing the Cut Knife, Saskatchewan area, CropMax Consulting prides itself on offering sound agronomic advice and unbiased recommendations. Co-owner Justin Kelly and Agronomy Manager Taylor Muzyka say those are two main contributing factors of their business success story, and the use of SWAT MAPS has provided a way of doing so.

“There are a lot of applications that can come out of a SWAT MAP and that’s where your value and money is coming from,” said Muzyka. “SWAT MAPS gives us the right template for us to take our agronomic knowledge and apply our principles to the map.”

Kelly and Muzyka, along with Co-owner Cody Northam and their team of experienced agronomists have found a wide variety of use case scenarios that can be played with using SWAT MAPS, including making use of pre-existing moisture, pulling seeding rates where needed, and reallocating with what makes the most sense.”

“We’ve had lighter areas where we pull fertilizer or seeding rates so that we have less competition for moisture, and we’ve managed to produce a crop in areas where there was previously no crop establishment,” said Muzyka. “We’ve been looking into surface drainage alteration too because SWAT MAPS can set the stage for that discussion.”

“The moisture conditions change how we do VR year to year. On the back of five years of dry conditions, our zone 10’s aren’t drowned out anymore – they can be some of the best producing areas now,” said Kelly. “We’re actually pushing fertilizer in some areas whereas five years ago we may have cut fertilizer.”

In July 2024 CropMax Consulting celebrated its 10-year anniversary. Over the last decade the company grew to expand agronomy staff, conduct multiple trials each year, and continued to provide leading-edge expertise to farmers. While they also offer crop scouting, the team is continually shifting towards adding in new technologies that support decision making in the field and harnessing the SWAT ECOSYSTEM of tools such as SWAT CAM and SWAT WATER.

“The SWAT MAP always verifies our decisions,” said Kelly. “Other technology isn’t based on soil characteristics, but SWAT MAPS uses a ground up approach. We know we can trust this process and that’s how we’re able to offer our unbiased opinions. Our farmers have an inherent trust with us.”

The SWAT MAPS Team is proud to work alongside dedicated teams like the one at CropMax Consulting. Stay tuned with what’s happening in their area of West-Central Saskatchewan by following them on social media or visiting their website:

X: @CropMax1
Facebook: CropMax Consulting
Website: https://www.cropmax.ca/

If you farm near CropMax Consulting, please contact them to get the SWAT MAPS discussion rolling.