Registration for the 2026 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) is now open. The Great Lakes YEN works to help farmers improve crop returns through a greater understanding of crop performance. The Great Lakes YEN is currently focused on winter wheat and covers the geographic area of the Province of Ontario, Canada, and the Great Lakes region of the USA.
Established in 2021, the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) was created in partnership with Grain Farmers of Ontario, Michigan State University, Michigan Wheat Program, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness and the University of Guelph. For more information, visit www.greatlakesyen.com or follow us on social media @GreatLakesYEN.
Farmers participating in the Great Lakes YEN will agree to collect soil, tissue, and grain samples at specific times throughout the duration of the project and send them to a lab in shipping boxes provided for analyses. Additionally, they are expected to:
- Keep a record of all crop inputs, track crop growth stages, and enter field data by established deadlines
- Download software and/or an app and use it for data entry
- Participate in the year-end meeting
- Accept and arrange third-party verification of yield
Please note there is currently a $300 fee (paid in the currency of the participant’s home country) for each field registered in the program. The registration fee will increase to $325 after January 15th, 2026, therefore we encourage interested participants to register early.
Questions about the Great Lakes YEN? Please contact:
Ontario – Alexandra Dacey, adacey@gfo.ca or 519-830-5633.
Michigan/U.S. – Jody Pollok-Newsom, jody@miwheat.org or 517-490-0280