A look back at Rendez-vous végétal 2026
- Apr 8
- 7 min read
On February 17, 2026, more than 420 stakeholders in the field crop sector gathered at the Saint-Hyacinthe Convention Center—the true agri-food capital of Quebec—to attend Rendez-vous végétal 2026 (https://rv-vegetal.com/programmation/). This annual event has become a must-attend for producers, agronomists, advisors, and companies involved in the field crop sector.
The concept is simple: bring together, for one day, recognized experts to share their knowledge and discuss the challenges directly affecting Quebec producers. Grain markets, agronomic practices, farm business management, technological innovations… The topics covered address the challenges producers face on their farms.
In a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape—marked by market volatility, rising production costs, and pressure to improve agronomic and environmental performance—these gatherings offer valuable opportunities to step back, learn, and exchange ideas with fellow producers.
The 2026 edition was no exception. The program featured several high-level presentations, but certain talks particularly caught my attention. This was especially true of the presentations by Bruno Simard, Shawn P. Conley, Ph.D., Eric Richter, and Mike Verdonck, who offered key insights into modern agriculture: the market, agronomy, and the performance of agricultural businesses.
In this article, I’ll provide a recap of these presentations and, most importantly, the practical lessons you can apply to your business.
Why attend Rendez-vous végétal?
When attending an event like this, the first question a producer asks is quite simple: how will this make a difference for me on the farm?
Here are some key takeaways from this year’s presentations.
1. Better understanding of grain markets
Bruno Simard’s presentation reminded us that Quebec producers are directly influenced by global market dynamics. Understanding these trends allows for better marketing planning and the ability to seize certain opportunities.
2. Improving yields through data
Shawn P. Conley’s presentation demonstrated how modern agronomy increasingly relies on data analysis and agronomic trials. Several practices can be optimized to improve crop performance, particularly in soybeans.
3. Producing Better, Not Just More
Mike Verdonck’s presentation highlighted a crucial point: the profitability of a farming operation depends not only on yield but also on operational efficiency.
4. Making decisions based on facts
The overarching message of the day was the importance of basing our decisions on concrete data rather than on perceptions or habits..
In summary, the presentations at Rendez-vous végétal drove home an important point: the success of a farming business depends on a balance between agronomy, management, and market understanding.
Le Rendez-vous végétal: A Must-Attend Event
Over the years, Le Rendez-vous végétal has established itself as one of the major events for the field crop sector in Quebec. The goal is to bridge the gap between scientific research, agronomic expertise, and the realities faced by producers.
The success of this event relies heavily on the quality of the guest speakers. Organizers prioritize recognized specialists who possess both scientific expertise and a solid understanding of the field.
In 2026, the program clearly reflected this approach. The presentations covered a wide range of topics, from agronomic crop management to the economic performance of agricultural businesses.
Here are three presentations that particularly caught my attention: those by Bruno Simard, Shawn P. Conley, and Mike Verdonck.
Bruno Simard: Understanding Global Grain Markets
The day began with a presentation by Bruno Simard, Senior Director of Sourcing for Eastern Canada at G3 Canada. His talk focused on the challenges of the international grain trade and its ins and outs.
One key point I took away is that every grading criterion is negotiated in the purchase contract. Such as moisture content, protein content, and the percentage of waste—down to the decimal point!
How does Canada stack up in global trade?
Canada is one of the world’s leading grain exporters. A large portion of Canadian agricultural production is destined for international markets, primarily Europe and Asia.
Several factors can influence grain prices:
production in the United States, South America, and Ukraine
weather conditions in the Americas
export volumes
fluctuations in the Canadian dollar
geopolitical tensions
To my surprise, Canada has a major advantage on the international stage: the quality of its grains! And yes, contrary to expectations, our winters actually work in our favor. They make storage easier and protect us from pests like insects and rodents.
Beyond preservation, the quality of our grains is also recognized internationally. So yes, focusing on quality gives us an edge in marketing our grains. It allows us to better position ourselves in highly competitive markets.
Logistics: A Major Challenge
Another topic discussed during the conference was the importance of logistics infrastructure.
For grain produced in Quebec to reach an international market, it must go through several stages:
on-farm storage
transport to a grain elevator
cleaning and grading
transport to a maritime transshipment center
maritime transport
As you likely know, the St. Lawrence River freezes over in the winter! And it is during this period that grain prices can be unfavorable. This does not fully explain the cost, but it is certainly more advantageous when there are transactions and grain movements.
As the saying goes: “A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” So every link in the supply chain influences the competitiveness of Canadian grain in international markets. For this reason, G3 is investing in its infrastructure, particularly in Trois-Rivières. In turn, producers can also contribute to the value chain with efficient on-farm facilities.
Key Takeaways for Producers
The main message of this conference was clear: international trade is complex, but there are many opportunities for producers in Quebec and Canada.
👉 Understanding global dynamics helps producers better grasp certain price fluctuations and plan their sales more effectively.
Shawn P. Conley: Data-Driven Agronomy
The next presentation was delivered by Shawn P. Conley, a professor and renowned field crop specialist at the University of Wisconsin. His presentation focused on optimizing soybean production using agronomic data.
Throughout his presentation, Shawn shared numerous tables summarizing field trials and compilations of results. He also reminded us that all of his work—which is quite interesting, by the way—is available on his website, the Badger Crop Network. Didn’t get a chance to attend Rendez-vous végétal? Hurry up and check out his site!
The Importance of Field Trials
One of the most interesting points of the presentation concerned the importance of agronomic trials. According to Mr. Conley, agronomic recommendations must be based on real data collected directly in the field.
These trials allow for the testing of various variables:
planting density
fertilization
planting date
variety selection
disease management
The results obtained then make it possible to adapt agricultural practices to local conditions.
Planting Date: A Key Factor for Soybeans
The conference also highlighted the importance of planting date for maximizing soybean yields. Several studies show that early planting generally results in higher yields.
There are many reasons for this:
better light interception
greater vegetative growth
better use of the growing season
However, soil conditions and risks associated with spring temperatures must also be taken into account. The first 24 hours are critical and can greatly influence your yield.
Managing Planting Density
Another topic discussed was planting density. Contrary to popular belief, increasing planting density does not always lead to higher yields. Rather, the goal is to achieve an optimal density that allows each plant to reach its full potential.
Mike Verdonck: Producing Better, Not Just More
L'autre conférence marquante de la journée était présentée par Mike Verdonck, président du Groupe Stell Ag. Son intervention portait sur la performance des entreprises agricoles et sur les moyens d’améliorer l’efficacité au champ.
The other highlight of the day was a presentation by Mike Verdonck, President of Groupe Stell Ag. His talk focused on the performance of agricultural businesses and ways to improve efficiency in the field.
Operational Efficiency
According to Mike Verdonck, modern agriculture must aim for the overall efficiency of the production system. Producing more is not always the solution. In many cases, improving operational efficiency can have a direct impact on profitability.
Machinery management
Machinery is often one of the largest expense items in an agricultural business.
Effective management can help:
reduce fuel costs
reduce labor hours
optimize field operations
The Importance of Economic Analysis
Mike Verdonck also emphasized the importance of maintaining sound financial health. Beyond the desire to innovate in order to increase business revenue, it is important to proceed step by step, in an incremental and strategic manner. Moving too quickly can be risky and cost you dearly!
Producers today have many tools at their disposal to measure various aspects of their production:
yield
production costs
operational efficiency
equipment performance
This data allows you to accurately measure your performance and identify areas for improvement.
Recommendations
Based on the presentations given at Rendez-vous végétal 2026, several recommendations can be made for grain producers.
1. Monitor market trends
Agricultural markets are increasingly influenced by international dynamics. Understanding these trends can help producers better plan their grain marketing strategies.
2. Test agronomic practices
Field trials are an excellent way to evaluate the impact of different agronomic practices. Even simple trials can provide very useful information.
3. Optimize operations
Improving the efficiency of agricultural operations can have a direct impact on the farm’s profitability.
This can be achieved through:
better planning
optimized machinery management
reducing unnecessary operations
4. Utilize available data
Producers today have access to an increasing amount of data from their equipment and fields. Used correctly, this data can become a powerful tool for improving decision-making.
Conclusion
Le Rendez-vous végétal 2026 a une fois de plus démontré l’importance du transfert de connaissances dans le secteur des grandes cultures.
The presentations by Bruno Simard, Shawn P. Conley, and Mike Verdonck addressed three essential aspects of modern agriculture:
market understanding
agronomic optimization
farm business performance
For producers, these three elements are closely intertwined. A successful farm business is one that understands its economic environment, adopts effective agronomic practices, and optimizes its operations.
Events like Rendez-vous végétal help bridge the gap between these different aspects. They also provide an opportunity to meet other producers, exchange ideas, and discover new approaches.
And if one thing stands out clearly from this year’s event, it is that agriculture continues to evolve rapidly. In this context, producers who stay informed, curious, and open to new ideas will likely be the ones who come out on top.
