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Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine is the flagship publication of Grain Farmers of Ontario and a source of information for our province’s grain farmers. 

GFO Newsletter for January 2014

GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Delegate Policy Day
Grain Farmers of Ontario held a Policy Day for Delegates and Directors on December 10, 2013. This event was an opportunity to discuss key topics of concern to our membership, including seed treatments, sustainability, and risk management programs. Background information on these topics was provided and feedback on the position Grain Farmers of Ontario should be taking with these issues was received. Moving forward, we will incorporate this feedback into our strategic planning process. 

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Policy Day concluded with the official Grand Opening of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s new Growing Connections exhibit. Politicians, industry representatives, and the media were invited to join delegates on tours of the 53’ trailer exhibit. The trailer was on display during an evening reception to officially launch this exciting new communications vehicle which debuted at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November.

SWAC Satellite Locations
Grain Farmers of Ontario and John Deere will jointly host four satellite locations of the Southwest Agricultural Conference (SWAC) on Wednesday, January 8, 2014. Last minute registrations for these satellite locations are still being accepted, but you must contact Erin Calhoun as soon as possible at 519 767-4137 or ecalhoun@gfo.ca. Walk-ins will also be welcomed – however, we cannot guarantee that program books will be available for those that do not pre-register.

SWAC satellite locations will be hosted at the following locations:

Huron Tractor Ltd
6 Durham Rd, RR4, Bruce Rd 3, Walkerton

Green Tractors Inc
114 Heights Road, Omemee

Green Tractors Inc
271429 Poupore Road, Earlton

W.B. George Centre,
University of Guelph, Kemptville Campus
830 Prescott St.,  Kemptville

Information on which SWAC sessions will be shown at the satellite locations can be found at www.gfo.ca/ SWAC. All locations will be open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., admission is $25 (lunch included).

Resident Chef Update
Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Resident Chef, Johnathan Goodyear, made several appearances to promote Ontario grains before the holidays. At the end of November, he demonstrated recipes for polenta and corn fed beef short ribs and showed off his corn chip tostadas appetizer on Daytime Toronto. The two airings of the television segment earned 400,000 media impressions, bringing our current Chef Partnership outreach total to 3,172,000 impressions. Chef Johnathan also appeared on Global Morning and CHCH in mid-December reaching more than a million people through those appearances.


Market Commentary
Philip Shaw
Despite USDA projecting the largest US corn crop with record supplies and large ending stocks, the corn price in Ontario has risen over the last month.  It is similar to soybeans and wheat with the prime generator being the lower value of the Canadian dollar. 

On November 29th the Canadian dollar closed at .9407 US.  This is compared to a year ago when the Canadian dollar was at par with the US dollar.  This weakness in the Canadian dollar combined with strong commercial buying in soybeans has pushed cash values within striking distance of $14 bushel.

Snow has made harvest a challenge for farmers in parts of central and eastern Ontario.  South American weather and the January 2014 USDA report are now key to future price action.

 

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