When neighbours became a nation: The origins of Hay West
Willard McWilliams and his son Wyatt have spent their lives on the family farm in Navan, Ont., just east of Ottawa. For them, farming isn’t just about production; it’s about caring for the land, their animals and the wider agriculture community.
In 2002, a severe drought gripped the Prairies and turned fields brown. Many cattle producers faced the heart-wrenching choice of selling off their herds or watching them starve. But Willard recognized a need and realized he was in a unique position to help. That’s how Hay West was born, demonstrating how farmers could become leaders during a crisis by turning vision into action and benefitting countless others.
Willard: “I turned on the TV one morning and saw a guy standing in a field with nothing growing, and I knew right away we had to do something. I thought, ‘Well, we’ve got too much feed here, too much hay. Why not get it to the people who need it?’”
That simple realization sparked the Hay West initiative, uniting farmers, railways, governments and everyday Canadians to transport tens of thousands of tons of hay across the country.
Willard: “Farmers have always been good at looking after their own, but sometimes you’ve got to look a little further down the road and see who else needs a hand.”
Wyatt recalls how past experiences shaped their approach.
Wyatt: “In the ’60s, we had a big drought here, and we had to get hay from Western Ontario. In the ’80s, Manitoba had a drought, and Dad took hay there. So we’d seen it before. But in 2002, we had one of the best hay years ever here. There were tons of quality hay. By July, we were cutting a second crop. There was no question that we had the feed. There was quantity and quality.”
Willard asked local politicians to start getting the word out that they had enough extra hay for farmers out west.
Willard: “We knew a few politicians in the city. I knocked on doors at 6:30 in the morning and saw who was at work by 8 a.m. By 10 or 11 a.m., there was a news conference. After that, it just kind of took off. We had done a few projects in the community before, so people trusted us. Farmers understood, because whether you’re in Ontario or Alberta, you know what it means to have your cows bawling and nothing to feed them. People picked up on it right away and there was no stopping it.”
Wyatt: “The phone just started ringing and ringing. One farm had a load, then another farm. Everybody wanted to be a part of it: the railways, truckers, farmers and everyday people in town. My phone was ringing off the hook all day, and the whole operation just took over the kitchen table. We were up early, went to bed late. The phone never stopped. But it didn’t feel like work because everybody was pulling together.”
The initiative overcame logistical and political challenges because the momentum was undeniable.
Willard: “Boy, there were challenges, but they were all overlooked because the pressure was so strong. The country was behind it. It just kind of took off.”
Wyatt: “As things grew, there was more sponsorship that came on board, more government support, more public support. You couldn’t walk down the street without somebody asking how they could help. It really showed the strength behind the idea. It grew into something a lot bigger than how it started. I think it opened a lot of doors for us as well, on both ends, even though it was a bad situation. It opened doors to communication and relationships. That is definitely the one thing I took away from it.”
Perhaps the most powerful lesson was how this initiative was led. Farmers trusted Hay West because it came from one of their own, not a top-down directive. It was farmers standing shoulder to shoulder, proving that leadership is most effective when it grows from the ground up.
Willard: “When you cut through all the chaff, it’s just common sense. You look after yourself, but you look after others, too. That’s how you get through the mess.” It was Canadians helping Canadians. It was the whole country coming together.
Wyatt: “We used to say it was about getting the feed to the need, but really, it was about unity. It wasn’t just Ontario farmers helping Alberta farmers; it was Canadians helping Canadians. It was the whole country coming together.”
Decades later, both recognize the role farmers can play as leaders within their communities.
Wyatt: “As producers, we have to come forward more, do a little more marketing, take on that leadership role like what happened with Hay West.”
Willard: “It wasn’t politics. It wasn’t programs. It was people helping people. That’s what made it work, and that’s what makes it worth remembering.”
Inspired by Willard and Wyatt?
Take the lesson home: leadership means preparing for challenges before they arrive. Start by asking yourself: “Do I have a risk management plan? A strong community network? Who are the trusted advisors I can call tomorrow if a crisis arises?” Just as Hay West grew from one farmer’s idea, your leadership can begin with simple steps such as strengthening relationships, reviewing your business plan and being ready to act. Resilient businesses are built not only on production, but on foresight, trust and collaboration.
As told to Tim Parent, for AgriSuccess.
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