GrainTALK for February 2021
AN UPDATE ON GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO NEWS AND EVENTS
FROM THE CHAIR
Markus Haerle has served the maximum three-year term as chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Board of Directors. Watch our interview with Markus Haerle about his time as chair: www.youtube.com/user/grainfarmersontario.
A new chair will be elected during the February Board meeting. Due to the production schedule of the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine, the Ask the Chair feature within this newsletter will be on hiatus until our April/May issue. Farmer-members are welcome to continue to send their questions for the chair to GrainTALK@gfo.ca.
DISTRICT ELECTIONS
Directors and delegates were elected for the 15 Grain Farmers of Ontario districts during the Annual January District Meetings. A list of directors and delegates can be found online at www.gfo.ca/about/districts/ and will be printed in the March issue of the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine.
GRAINTALK WEBINAR
Taking Care of You: The Importance of Self-Care & Stress Management (in partnership with Bridges Health)
March 11 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Exhausted? Stretched too thin? Wondering where the days, weeks, years are going? This workshop will talk about stress, depression, anxiety, and burnout — how to notice signs and symptoms in yourself, your co-workers, family, and other important people in your world. Learn practical strategies towards becoming more mindful; step back and gain some perspective in this fast-paced world of ours. Come together with other individuals at this session to understand how self-care is not selfish.
Find the link to register at www.gfo.ca/farmerwellness/
MARKET COMMENTARY
by Philip Shaw
In 2021, I think we are all hoping for a better year. However, coming out of 2020, we had and still have a bullish grain market. The focus now is the January 2021 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report, which gave a final update on the 2020 American crop (not available at press time). In the December 2020 USDA report, U.S. corn production was still set to come in at 14.507 billion bushels (175.8 bu/acre).
On the soybean side of the ledger, USDA kept production at 4.17 billion bushels (50.7 bu/acre). If it comes to fruition it will be the lowest since 2013 – 2014.
The U.S. dollar has been weaker, sending the Canadian dollar higher, reaching 79.10 on January 6. This has tempered Ontario basis. However, Ontario grain prices are at very high historical values. •
