GFO Newsletter for March 2018
PROVINCIAL PREMISES REGISTRY
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has transitioned the delivery of the Provincial Premises Registry Program (PPR) from Angus GeoSolutions Inc. (AGSI) to Agricorp.
Your Premises ID number and premises information will not change, and individual registrants will be able to add or update their registration information through a new URL, www.ontariopid.com or by calling Agricorp’s toll-free number (1-888-247-4999). Any calls to the existing PPR phone number will be transferred automatically to Agricorp, and the ministry intends to redirect any users visiting the old website.
Registrants are encouraged to confirm or update their premises information annually, to ensure contact and premises information is current to support emergency management and response within the province. Updating your premises information at least once every two years also keeps your premises ID active and eligible for use when applying to government programs such as Ontario’s Risk Management Program.
The PPR supports the National Agri-Food Traceability system by collecting accurate and verified location information on agri-food activities taking place within the province, along with emergency contact information. These key pieces of information assist in the government’s emergency preparedness and response to a variety of incidents that may affect agri-food businesses within Ontario. •
LISTING OF DELEGATES
Included in this issue is a listing of all Grain Farmers of Ontario directors and delegates elected during the 2018 January District Grain Committee Meetings. These delegates represent their districts at the annual and semi-annual meetings and delegates policy day. Their role is to bring forward concerns and issues at the district level to ensure Grain Farmers of Ontario is meeting the needs of all its farmer-members. To see the complete list, visit www.gfo.ca/About-Us/Delegates. •
WEBINAR
Grain Farmers of Ontario is hosting a webinar entitled ‘Targeting Pest Management’ on April 4, 2018 from 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. To sign up, and for more details, visit www.gfo.ca. •
DISTRICT MEETING PRIZE DRAW
Congratulations to the winners of our District Meeting Prize Giveaway! Winners were drawn live on Twitter on Monday, January 22.
- Ron Rody of District 10 (Grey, Bruce, Wellington) is the grand prize winner of a trip for two to the Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California.
- Dalton Potter of District 15 (Northern Ontario) is the first runner-up and receives a weekend for two at the Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville.
- Jay Shackleton of District 5 (Elgin, Norfolk) is the second runner-up and receives a weekend for two at Hockley Valley Resort near Orangeville.
Three people from each January District Meeting were drawn as finalists and entered into the draw for the getaways. All finalists also received a Grain Farmers of Ontario prize pack at their district meeting. This contest was open to Grain Farmers of Ontario’s farmer-members, excluding directors and staff, who attended their Annual District Grain Committee Meeting in January. •
MEET US AT A FARM SHOW!
London Western Fair Farm Show March 7 – 9 in the Grain Farmers of Ontario pavilion, booth #724V. www.westernfairdistrict.com/london-farm-show
Ottawa Valley Farm Show March 13 – 15, booth #2510* (*new location in the centre aisle near entrance 2). http://ottawafarmshow.com/. •
NEW AGRONOMIST ROLE
Grain Farmers of Ontario has created a new agronomist role to increase its emphasis on productions issues, and work with researchers, government, and agri-business to ensure Grain Farmers of Ontario farmer-members are provided the most up-to-date information. Laura Ferrier, a certified crop advisor, has taken on this new position.
As agronomist, Ferrier will work across Grain Farmers of Ontario and lead efforts to expand production opportunities for grain farmers in Ontario. Ferrier will look at current and emerging issues in production agriculture, including precision agriculture, soil health, nutrient management and soil fertility, climate change, and resistance management.
Prior to taking on the agronomist role, Ferrier was a member of the Communications team at Grain Farmers of Ontario. •
CORN VOMITOXIN TESTING AVAILABLE
Grain Farmers of Ontario wants to make farmer-members aware of independent testing opportunities for vomitoxin (DON) available through the joint venture with SGS Canada and the Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory. This opportunity may assist in buyer/seller disputes; however, it should be noted this is not binding.
In partnership with SGS Canada, there are two locations available to submit samples for testing. Both locations use the ELISA test to analyze corn samples for vomitoxin (DON) levels. SGS Canada is working with Grain Farmers of Ontario to offer a discounted price of $22/sample (regular $25.50) to farmer-members.
Please note you are a Grain Farmers of Ontario farmer-member when submitting a sample. Grain Farmers of Ontario encourages producers to submit a sample for testing prior to delivery for quality analysis.
SGS Canada requires a minimum of 500g to a maximum of 1kg per sample.
Producers can submit samples to:
Grains Analytical Testing Laboratory
SGS Agriculture and Food
503 Imperial Rd. N, Unit 1
Guelph, Ontario N1H 6T9
Phone: 1 519 837 1600
E-Mail: ca.agri.guelph.lab@sgs.com
Manuela Roduner
SGS Agriculture and Food
Grain Inspector
81 London Road
Hensall, ON N0M 1X0
Phone: 1 226 262-3676
E-mail: manuela.roduner@sgs.com
*Members using Purolator/FedEx/UPS to send samples to Hensall will have the address show “unknown.” Members should ignore this, as the address is correct and samples will arrive. •
MARKET COMMENTARY
by Philip Shaw
In their January 2018 report, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) increased 2017 U.S. corn production to 14.6 billion bushels, on a harvested acreage of 82.7 million acres. The average yield was increased to 176.6 bushels per acre, which was two bushels above the 2016/17 crop. 2017/18 corn ending stocks were raised to 2.48 billion bushels. The final 2017 soybean production came in at 4.39 billion bushels, based on a national yield of 49.1 bushels/acre. The USDA increased soybean ending stocks for 2017/18 to 470 million bushels. The winter wheat acreage was pegged at 32.6 million acres, which is the lowest in the U.S. in over a century.
The Canadian dollar continues to be above the 80 cent U.S. level putting further pressure on cash grain prices across Ontario. •
