Sollio Next Generation Award: Matt & John McRae - Of Seed, Oil and Maple Syrup
After a big premiere last year, the Sollio Next Generation Award is making its second foray into Ontario among The Agromart Group retailer customers with three finalists—three farms working in grain production, each with their own niche: one uses its harvest to brew beer, another grows large-scale crops while making its machinery more profitable with contract work, and the third focuses on seed production.
Competition judges visited, videos were produced, and the finalists and their Agromart retailer representatives attended the gala during Sollio Cooperative Group’s annual general meeting. The Sollio Next Generation Award plays an important role not only by highlighting successful models of new farms or transfers—which has been its mission for the past 21 years—but also by amplifying the reach of great stories and opportunities for cultural exchange between farmers across Canada.
When farmers get to trade business practices and share their cultural heritage through a competition, everybody wins.
On the way to their farm in Alvinston on Petrolia Line, near the town of Petrolia and the equally petroliferous town of Sarnia, you’ll see horse-headed oil pumps here and there in the fields, a typical sight in this oil-rich area.
Matt McRae works in a refinery in Sarnia, while his brother John works in a chemical plant. One might be tempted to say that farming is just a side job for these two brothers with degrees in industrial technology, but it’s clear that the boys lead a double life, despite 870 acres under cultivation.
Matt and John learned to farm in their own backyard. They’ve always gotten along well together. “We have the same goals, but sometimes different paths to reach them,” Matt says. For many years, their parents Joan and Alfred McRae raised pigs on straw bedding in a functional and rudimentary building, which has since been converted into a screening, phytosanitary treatment and seed bagging facility to the delight of some 100 customers who come to have their crop custom-cleaned for reseeding. Agromart retailer Lakeside Grain & Feed also uses the McRae’s services to source soybean and wheat seed. With their two combines, the brothers offer their services to neighbouring farmers; not to mention their planter, sprayer and dryer, which also serve other businesses.
To build up their own assets, the brothers kept their eyes open for opportunities. Their efforts were crowned with success in 2014, with the purchase of their first land, which is very clayey like all the others in their region. Since then, the two have stayed on their toes. “We know our borrowing capacity, and it’s already pre-approved,” says Matt. “Our meetings with the banker are mainly an opportunity to chat over coffee.” Alfred adds: “If a farmer wants to sell land or equipment, or an auction is taking place, you need to know quickly where you stand.” It was this first acquisition, when John and Matt had just graduated from school at 22 and 20 respectively, that built their financial track record and established their serious reputation.
Brian Hoven, Sales Manager & Partner of Lakeside Grain & Feed can count on one hand the number of farms he advised that started from scratch, Matt & John McRae farm being one of them. “Start-up costs are prohibitive, not least because land is expensive in our area,” he argues, “but Matt and John are open to new ideas, looking for answers and not afraid to question and calculate.”
Machinery-wise, the brothers operate a scalper that can process 100 bushels per hour. This isn’t enough for their needs, and they are working on plans to improve processing capacity and streamline operations for when neighbours’ grain cars line up outside. The company has its own truck scale. In the field, the farm’s crops are mostly soybeans and corn, with soft red fall wheat given slightly less space (80 acres this year). In their region, some try their hand at growing rye. The McRaes also attempted to grow canola, which ended up drowned by 23 centimetres in rain four days after sowing. As experienced seed farmers, the brothers are used to novelty and to conducting variety testing. The next step will be to try out georeferenced soil sampling and variable-rate applications.
As for their quality of life, they find pleasure in everyday simple things, such as a good meal with the family. Their mentors and parents Alfred and Joan, without whom nothing would have been possible, find that the company remains at the centre of their lives, except during the month-long vacation they take in Florida. Alfred has plenty of farm work to do. Joan spends her days gardening, taking care of accounting and babysitting Russell, the son of John and his partner Jen.
While their parallel careers in Sarnia bring cash flow to the farm and family it allows the business to continue expanding despite slim margins and riskier investments, the ultimate dream would be to leave their secure jobs to run their grain farm full-time. Fortunately, John (and especially Matt) can also count on the income from a maple grove and a sugar shack cleverly set up in a former grain silo.
A big ole 175-tap operation!
Photo by Christophe Champion
READ ALL ABOUT THE WINNERS OF THE SOLLIO NEXT GENERATION AWARD 2023 :
Étienne Gosselin
WHO IS ÉTIENNE GOSSELIN
Étienne contributes to the Cooperateur since 2007. Agronomist, he holds a master's degree in agricultural economics. He worked as a freelancer in the print and electronic media. He lives in Stanbridge East, in the Eastern Townships.
WHO IS ÉTIENNE GOSSELIN
Étienne contributes to the Cooperateur since 2007. Agronomist, he holds a master's degree in agricultural economics. He worked as a freelancer in the print and electronic media. He lives in Stanbridge East, in the Eastern Townships.
