GFO Newsletter

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GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETINGS
Details for the District meetings in association with Grain Farmers of Ontario, formerly the Ontario Corn Producers’ Association, the Ontario Soybean Growers, and the Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board are listed on the previous page. If your District meeting time and place is still to be determined, check upcoming newsletters and the website at www.gfo.ca.

These meetings are an invaluable way for farmers to learn about Grain Farmers of Ontario’s activities and to get involved. Look for more meeting information such as voting guidelines in upcoming newsletters and on the web.

GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO APPOINTS NEW MANAGERS
The Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Todd Austin as Marketing Manager and Erin Fletcher as Manager, Public Affairs and Communications.

As Marketing Manager, Todd Austin will play an important role within GFO to maintain existing wheat marketing and pooling programs and grain policies. He will also develop and coordinate the implementation of new programs and manage the promotion of Ontario grains both domestically and internationally. Austin will utilize his experience in trading and selling of crop commodities and risk management in this new role that will target consistently high returns to producers while adhering to best business practices.

In the position of Manager, Public Affairs and Communications Erin Fletcher will develop and lead a proactive public affairs program to communicate to members, government and the general public about the ongoing work at the GFO. Fletcher’s experience with market development, government relations and publishing will be essential to the role to ensure all stakeholders are engaged in the process of creating and maintaining a successful organization.

PERFORMANCE TRIALS COMING IN JANUARY ISSUE
Due to the late harvest this year, the Corn Performance Trials will be mailed out with the January Ontario Grain Farmer to all corn producers. Farmers can also access individual trials as they become available at www.gocorn.net.

DEPOSIT DEADLINE IS FAST APPROACHING FOR AGRIINVEST PARTICIPANTS
Earlier this fall, producers received a 2008 AgriInvest Deposit Notice with information on:

• The maximum matchable deposit
• How to make a deposit in order to have the government contribution deposited to a participant’s account
• The AgriInvest account balance
• How to access funds from the AgriInvest account

Producers must make a deposit to receive the matching government contribution. Producers have 90 days from the date of their 2008 AgriInvest Deposit Notice to make a deposit. The deposit deadline is located in the top right hand corner of the Deposit Notice and on the tear off portion of the form.

To make a deposit, producers must send their 2008 AgriInvest Deposit Form along with a cheque made payable to the Receiver General for Canada using the return envelope included with the notice. The 2008 AgriInvest Deposit Form and cheque must be received in Matane, Quebec no later than the deadline indicated on the 2008 AgriInvest Notice; please allow for mailing time. Mail the 2008 AgriInvest Deposit Form and cheque to AgriInvest, AAFC-AAC, PO Box 2500 Matane, QC G4W 0C5.

AgriInvest funds are currently being held by the government. Officials continue to work with financial institutions toward having them hold AgriInvest accounts in the future.

For more information, please visit the AgriInvest website at www.agr.gc.ca/agriinvest or call AAFC toll free at 1-866-367-8506.

IFAO BUS TOUR INFORMATION
Join the Innovative Farmers Association of Ontario on a 4 day, 3 night bus tour through Iowa and Illinois from January 4 to 7, 2010. Tour the John Deere Combine Plant, Kinze Manufacturing and spend a day with the folks at Precision Planting.

What:  4 day, 3 night bus tour through Iowa and Illinois
When: January 4 to 7, 2010
Cost:   $330 per person includes bus, accommodation, and breakfasts.

For more information, please visit ifao.com. Register by December 15, 2009.

SOY HOUSE GETS A NEW HOME
The Soy House, a feature exhibit at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, has landed in Acton, Ontario for a Habitat for Humanity Halton partner family to call home.

The house, which highlights the multiple uses of soy through the construction materials, paint, mattresses, kitchen cabinets and accessories, was a great attraction at the Royal garnering lots of media attention and teaching thousands of people about the soybean value chain.

On November 17th, the house was placed in Acton and over the following weeks Grain Farmers of Ontario, Habitat for Humanity Halton and Quality Homes, the builders of the house, worked together to get the new family settled in their new home.

INFORMATION MEETING
C&M?Seeds and Nip/Sud Co-op will be holding the following information meetings next month on December 8th, 2009.

9:30 am  Earlton at Grain Boulevard Restaurant, lunch will be provided.
6:30 pm  Gervais Restaurant, Sturgeon Falls

CANADIAN SOYBEAN COUNCIL (CSC) IP SOYBEAN PRODUCTION: IS IT A FIT FOR YOUR FARM?

WHEN:        Wednesday, January 20, 2010
TIME:          8:30 am to 4:00 pm (Lunch and refreshments provided)
LOCATION:  Four Points Sheraton, 1150 Wellington Road, South, London, ON
COST:         $27.30 (includes GST)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:  Friday, January 8, 2010

Join us for a one-day educational session to learn more about IP soybean production and the opportunities available for growing IP soybeans. Gain a deeper understanding of contracts and management requirements and learn whether IP production is a fit for your farm. 

You’ll hear from the experts in industry and government about:

• Global markets for Canadian IP soybeans
• Contracts and logistics of growing IP soybeans
• Selecting the right soybean varieties
• Production challenges and management
• What happens when you don’t make premium?

The workshop is being facilitated by the Canadian International Grains Institute (CIGI) on behalf of CSC.

REGISTRATION
Space is limited, so register today to secure your spot at this valuable session. 

Register online at www.cigi.ca or call (204) 983-5344. Deadline for registration is Friday, January 8th.

For more information call Michelle McMullen, Manager, CSC, at 519-767-2472.