GFO Newsletter for November 2015
GET THE LATEST NEWS FROM GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO
CREATING A STRONGER WORKFORCE
Canada’s agriculture and agri-food industry offers high-quality career options with competitive wages, but agriculture employers still find it challenging to attract and keep the workers they need.
The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), a national, non-profit organization, is working with grain farmers from across Canada to develop the National Agricultural Occupational Framework (NAOF). The NAOF is an ambitious project to collect in-depth information directly from agricultural business owners, employees, associations, and educators across Canada to identify the skills and experience needed for 40 key agricultural roles. The resulting National Occupational Standards (NOSs) define the scope of tasks associated with a specific occupation as well as the knowledge and skills workers must possess to be competent on the job.
The NOSs are important in building a collection of hiring and management tools that support farmers in finding, training, and retaining workers. Tools will include industry-validated job descriptions, worker assessments, training requirements and resources, customizable job ads, interview guides, online learning resources, and a nation-wide job board for agricultural jobs.
Focus groups being held this fall will gather information on the occupational requirements for grain farmers. This is your opportunity to provide input, have your voice heard, and shape the future of our sector.
To learn more or reserve your place, call 613-745-7457 ext. 228, or email tbiernacki-dusza@cahrc-ccrha.ca. •
GRAIN UTILIZATION STUDY
Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased to announce that MNP LLP has been selected to conduct a detailed study of key market opportunities for Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat. MNP was chosen from the respondents to a request for proposal issued in August.
The purpose of the project is for Grain Farmers of Ontario to gain a comprehensive understanding of the current utilization of our crops. The resulting report will provide market intelligence to help us better position our crops to offer the best opportunities for our farmer-members. The project is being led by the market development department at Grain Farmers of Ontario to further the goal of expanding existing and premium markets for Ontario grains. •
ROYAL AGRICULTURAL WINTER FAIR
Grain Farmers of Ontario will be at the 2015 Royal Agricultural Winter Fair at Exhibition Place in Toronto from November 6 – 15. The Growing Connections trailer exhibit has been updated to include crop displays and end-use products of barley and oats along with corn, soybeans, and wheat. The Royal is a great opportunity to teach urban consumers about the multiple uses of grains and connect them with the farmers who grow grains across the province. •
NEW WEBSITE!
Grain Farmers of Ontario launched an updated website at the beginning of October. The newly redesigned www.gfo.ca has been optimized for mobile — making it easier to navigate and find the information you’re looking for while on the go. If you have any comments on the new website, please contact web@gfo.ca or call us at 1-800-265-0550. •
CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW
Thank you to all of our farmer-members who stopped by our corporate tent at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in September for a coffee and some Good in Every Grain give-aways. We were pleased to answer questions about the organization and discuss important issues affecting the grain industry. The welcome reception for barley and oat farmers on opening day of the Show was well attended by farmers and industry supporters. Thank you as well to those farmer-members who filled out our 2015 Membership Survey while at the Show. Congratulations to Julia Loft of Arva who won our bonus prize draw of a Good in Every Grain spring jacket. •
MARKET COMMENTARY
by Philip Shaw
In the September 11 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) crop report, US corn yield was reduced to 167.5 bushels per acre, down from 168.8 bushels per acre in their August report. On the other hand the USDA raised soybean bushels per acre to 47.1, above the 46.9 bushels per acre recorded in August. The October 9 USDA report provides an update on yields.
In Ontario, soybeans have been coming off across the province with many producers close to finished even in early October. Yields have been good and wheat has been widely planted in this harvest window. The Canadian dollar has traded in the $0.74 to $0.76 U.S. range – boosting cash basis. •
