GrainTALK for February 2019

FROM THE CHAIR A Q&A with Grain Farmers of Ontario chair, Markus Haerle. Grain Farmers of Ontario invests a lot of money into research projects. What are some of the current projects that interest you and why? In the past, I have sat on the Research Committee with Grain Farmers of Ontario to understand more about the projects and our investments. I have always been most interested in research focused on insect, pest, and disease management, as there is always something new on one of those fronts to be aware of. One important project to keep an eye on is “Integrated pest management and insecticide resistance management for western bean cutworm in Ontario corn.” This project looks to provide a comprehensive insect resistance management plan for western bean cutworm (WBC) in Canada, which is a key risk factor for Gibberella ear rot in some years like the high DON year in corn in 2016. Researchers hope to help farmers minimize pesticide use and develop ways to more effectively control WBC for the long-term. The research team is conducting field studies to test insecticide ingredients, as well as determining the susceptibility of WBC larvae to the insecticides and Vip3A. (The principal Investigators are: Dr. Art Schaafsma and Jocelyn Smith, University of Guelph.) We also have a soybean disease study group pulling together all the research on new and emerging soybean diseases to make it more accessible for farmers and industry. Disease bulletins can be found online at: https://cropprotectionnetwork.org/. (The principal investigators are: Albert Tenuta, OMAFRA & Kiersten Wise, Purdue University.) There are more than 22 active research projects listed on the Research Project Database (https:// gfo.ca/research/research-project-database/) and hundreds of other projects that we have invested in. I encourage all farmer-members to check the database for research of interest to them. • Do you have a question for our chair? Email GrainTALK@gfo.ca.

MEET US AT A FARM SHOW

Grain Farmers of Ontario will be attending farm shows in London and Ottawa this March. We encourage all our farmer-members to stop by and discuss any issues of concern ahead of the 2019 planting season.

London Farm Show
March 6 – 8 in the Grain Farmers of Ontario Pavilion, booth #724V.

Ottawa Valley Farm Show
March 12 – 14 booth #2510, in the centre aisle near entrance 2. •

ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETINGS

Thank you to all of our farmer-members who attended their Annual District Meeting. The 2019 election results are now available at www.gfo.ca. Directors were elected in odd-numbered districts (directors are elected for a two-year term, alternating years between odd- and even-numbered districts). A full listing of delegates will be published in the March edition of the Ontario Grain Farmer once all information and eligibility have been confirmed. •

GRAIN DISCOVERY ZONE 2019

The Grain Discovery Zone 2019 season will get underway this spring. There is still time to request the corn box event trailer for your local fair. For more information and to make a booking, go to www.goodineverygrain.ca/events. You can also read about the experience of Meghan Clout, the 2018 Grain Discovery Zone ambassador, in a special feature posted online at www.ontariograinfarmer.ca. •

MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES

Farmer-members and industry associates who have changes to their mailing address or wish to cancel their subscription to the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine can contact Phaedra McIntosh, Grain Farmers of Ontario database coordinator, at pmcintosh@gfo.ca or 519-767-4130. •

PRIVACY POLICY

Grain Farmers of Ontario is committed to responsibly collecting, using, and disclosing information in compliance with the provincial Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. When you voluntarily provide us with any information, we will NOT rent, sell, or otherwise disseminate your information to ANY third party.

Please contact Grain Farmers of Ontario’s privacy officer at info@gfo.ca if you require additional information on privacy issues. •

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MARKET COMMENTARY

by Philip Shaw

In the December 11 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, corn and soybean estimates remained unchanged from their November report, at 14.626 billion bushels of corn and 4.6 billion bushels of soybeans. USDA ending stocks for soybeans remained at 955 million bushels despite pre-report expectations, which were lower. USDA increased Brazil and Argentina crop estimates to 122 MMT and 55.5 MMT respectively. However, hot and dry conditions in South America into January have led private analysts to decrease those estimates.

In Ontario, high Vomitoxin levels continue to challenge. This slowed harvest, and in January, it continued with many corn and soybean fields left in the province. The Canadian dollar as of January 3 is .7407 U.S., which continues to be a stimulus to Ontario cash grain prices. •