GFO Newsletter for June/July 2017

GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO ANNOUNCE NEW VICE PRESIDENT

Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased to announce that Crosby Devitt will be joining the organization as Vice President. He will start in this role on June 6.

Devitt comes to Grain Farmers of Ontario from the position of Executive Director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. Prior to this position, he held the roles of Vice President of Strategic Development and Research Manager at Grain Farmers of Ontario.

“We are happy to have Crosby return to Grain Farmers of Ontario,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “He has been a great asset to the organization in his past roles and we are certain that he will bring the same expertise and passion to this new position.”

Following recent organizational restructuring, the sole Vice President will oversee the research, market development, communications, and wheat marketing departments of the organization. •

PRODUCER VERIFICATION LETTERS

At the end of April, Grain Farmers of Ontario sent out verification letters to a large number of producers to ensure the accuracy of their business information. If you received a letter, please complete and return the form as soon as possible. Verification letters returned within 60 days of receipt will be entered into a draw to win one of five prizes. There is still time to send yours back for a chance to win!

BUZZING GARDENS

Buzzing Gardens is up and running for 2017. Buzzing Gardens allows Canadians to support pollinators, like honey bees, by signing-up to receive a free seed kit and plant a pollinator-friendly garden. When their seed package arrives in the mail, Canadians also receive additional information about honey bees and Bees Matter. Over 70,000 pollinator-friendly seed kits have been given out across Canada over the last two years and this year CropLife, which runs the program, is hoping to hit 100,000. To that end, they have designated June 5 – 12 as National Planting Week and they are encouraging Canadians to get their seed kit early and plant a Buzzing Garden during the week.

For more information, go to beesmatter.ca. •

SOY CANADA LEADERSHIP UPDATE

Soy Canada announced in April that Jim Everson, the organization’s executive director for the past two-and-a-half years, is leaving to become president of the Canola Council of Canada.

Soy Canada was still in the process of recruiting a new executive director at press time; however the organization remains staffed with Chris Masciotra as director of corporate affairs, Jim Millington as director of market development, and Emma Coffin as office manager. This team was expected to lead the association in the interim.

Since its inception in 2014, Soy Canada has grown its membership to include key producer organizations from Atlantic Canada to Saskatchewan, major seed and crop protection companies, exporters of both commodity and food grade soybeans, and the major soybean processors. They have just launched their industry strategic plan, which will guide the sector to double production to 13,000,000 tonnes by 2027 and meet other growth targets.  Grain Farmers of Ontario is a member of Soy Canada.

MARKET COMMENTARY

by Philip Shaw
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report on April 11 set a continued bearish tone for grain prices as corn, soybean and wheat stocks were raised globally. The USDA also raised U.S. domestic corn, soybean and wheat stocks in the report. Prices have drifted downward. However, on the weekend of April 30, a strong snow and rain system, unusual for this time of year, sent prices higher. Weather concerns make spring market action volatile.

The Canadian Dollar has weakened over the last few weeks at 73.2 cents U.S. as of May 1. This continues to support Ontario cash prices into May. In this volatile spring price environment having standing pricing orders in place is very useful. •