GrainTALK for September 2023

As we head into a new school year, how has Grain Farmers of Ontario helped ensure agriculture is a career pathway that students choose?

Over the past year, we have gone above and beyond to ensure agriculture and agriculture-related careers are promoted to students — from our work with AgScape to our Grains on the Go trailer visiting 1,700 students and showcasing the pathways agriculture careers can take you, to our inaugural year for the Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Fund Scholarships, to our investments in ag-related professorships at the University of Guelph.

We also support education and careers in agriculture through our research and innovation funding. Last year we had almost $2 million invested in 74 projects to help advance our knowledge in integrated pest management, weeds and diseases, DON, and hybrids.

Steering people to a career in agriculture can be tough with all the competing industries out there, but the more we support the next generation and talk to them about our passion for what we do, the more we inspire them to join our industry and professions.

I want to remind people to join us for our Annual General Meeting on September 12 at Craigowan Golf Club in Woodstock. It’s a great opportunity to join discussions about the work Grain Farmers of Ontario does and bring forward any resolutions.

---

2023 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Grain Farmers of Ontario Annual General Meeting will be held on September 12, 2023, at the Craigowan Golf Club, 595838 Highway 59 N, Woodstock, from 8 a.m. – noon. A buffet breakfast and lunch will be served. The meeting will also be live-streamed. All farmer-members are invited to attend. The meeting is being held in conjunction with Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show at the Discovery Farm in Woodstock, Ontario. Attendees of the AGM will receive a complimentary ticket to the show.

For more information or to register, visit www.gfo.ca/agm. •

ANNUAL REPORT

Grain Farmers of Ontario’s 2023 Annual Report is available online at www.gfo.ca, or you can request a printed copy by calling the office at 1-800-265-0550.

The report contains a review of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s activities during the last fiscal year and the audited financial statements.

Annual General Meeting attendees are encouraged to review the financial statements before attending the meeting to be prepared to ask any questions they may have. •

SEPTEMBER EVENTS

September is a busy month for Grain Farmers of Ontario staff!

Until September 4, find us at the Canadian National Exhibition Farm.

Visit us at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show September 12-14 at the Discovery Farm in Woodstock, where our booth will be located at N-158 in Crop Alley, across from Maizex.

You can also find us at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo, September 19 – 23. The Grains on the Go trailer will be located on the Bowling Green.

And the Grain Discovery Zone will be at fairs and festivals throughout the month of September; come visit us September 1 – 3 at the Mitchell Fair, September 8 – 9 at the Warren Fair, September 15 – 17 at the Acton Fair, September 21 – 24 at the Carp fair, and September 28 – October 1 at the Ilderton Fair. •

WOMEN’S GRAIN SYMPOSIUM

Grain Farmers of Ontario will be hosting its annual Women’s Grain Symposium November 27 – 28 in Guelph.

The informative and educational sessions include topics such as developing a personal strategic plan, reducing rural violence, and mastering the grain markets, plus opportunities for networking, socializing, and fun.

Registration opens September 1. Space is limited, so register early! Visit www.gfo.ca/ about/womens-symposium/ for more information, to view the agenda and speaker biographies, or to register. •

AGRONOMY RESOURCES

The Grain Farmers of Ontario agronomy team of Marty Vermey, Laura Ferrier, and Alexandra Dacey offers a number of resources for farmer-members. Visit www.gfo.ca/agronomy for information on crop management, crop performance trials, apps and guides, soil leadership, and the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network project.

Grain Farmers of Ontario hosted a GrainTALK webinar in July highlighting pests and diseases to watch out for in 2023, featuring Tracey Baute and Alberta Tenuta from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Find the webinar at www.gfo.ca/GrainTALK.

And did you know that Laura Ferrier, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s agronomist, publishes a weekly Field Observations report during the growing season? The report is published in the weekly GrainTALK e-newsletter and at www.OntarioGrainFarmer.ca. To sign up for the weekly GrainTALk e-newsletter, visit www.gfo.ca/GrainTalk. •

QUALITY ASSESSMENTS ON GRAIN DELIVERIES

As the fall harvest kicks off, Grain Farmers of Ontario would like to remind farmer-members of quality sample dispute resolution resources. The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC)’s Final Quality Determination (formerly Subject To Inspectors Grade and Dockage) service pertains only to licensed primary elevators, not terminal elevators. Please visit www.grainscanada.gc.ca for the list of CGC-licensed elevators in Ontario by classification. As the majority of elevators in Ontario are not CGC primary elevators, Grain Farmers of Ontario has developed a Code of Practice for Trade with the Ontario Agri Business Association and the Ontario Canola Growers Association. This code recommends best practices for dispute resolution for producer deliveries to country or terminal elevators. The code is available at www.gfo.ca/marketing.

An additional reminder is that, under the Canada Grains Act, CGC-licensed elevators (including terminal elevators) are prohibited from receiving or discharging grains containing any injurious, noxious, or troublesome insect or animal pest. This may be a particular concern with old crop carryover that has been stored. We have received reports of the potential for increased scrutiny at the elevator level this year. To ensure deliveries are not subject to rejection, it is important to ensure bins are clean and grain protectants are employed at harvest. If you suspect an infestation in your grain and on-farm fumigation is required, members can contact a pest management service. •

INTRODUCING AGTALK: NEW PEER SUPPORT PLATFORM

The Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) has announced the launch of AgTalk, a peer-to-peer support platform powered by Togetherall. AgTalk is available 24/7 to those 16+ who live, work and play in the Canadian agricultural industry. The platform provides a safe and anonymous space for individuals to connect, share, and receive support from a community of peers who truly understand their unique experiences.

The mental health journey is deeply personal, and everyone progresses at their own pace. AgTalk is designed to support individuals in their next steps toward improving their mental well being, allowing them to share and connect when ready. The clinically moderated environment provides our community an added layer of support and well being. To learn more about this great new resource, visit www.domore.ag/agtalk. •

AGRICORP PROGRAMS TO HELP COVER LOSSES

The programs Agricorp delivers are designed to help farmers cover losses.

Production Insurance covers yield reductions and quality losses caused by weather, infestation, disease, or wildlife. AgriStability covers large declines in net income. The Risk Management Program covers increased costs and lower market prices.

Agricorp is available to assist those who are facing weather challenges, damage to their crops, or general questions about their coverage along the way. Staff can walk farmers through their coverage options, all the way through to harvest and claims, based on each individual situation on their farm and in their fields.

For more information visit www.agricorp.com or contact at:
(Mon. to Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.); 1-888-247-4999; TTY: 1-877-275-1380; contact@agricorp.com. •

GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO ONLINE STORE

Get your holiday or birthday shopping done in one place by visiting the Grain Farmers of Ontario online store. With products ranging from t-shirts, hoodies, and hats to trailer hitch cover caps, water bottles, and window stickers, there is something for everyone in your family, including infants, youths, and adults. Visit www.gfostore.ca to browse the catalogue. •

MARKET COMMENTARY

On July 12, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) lowered their corn yield estimate to 177.5 bushels per acre. This estimate was four bushels per acre less than their previous yield estimate, but it was slightly above trade expectations. This is setting up a corn crop of 15.32 billion bushels, the largest since 2016. U.S. domestic soybean yield was kept at 52 bushels per acre by USDA. With soybean acres set at 83.5 million, total soybean production is forecast to come in at 4.3 million bushels.

In Ontario, the wheat harvest is progressing with good yields. There are quality concerns, with sprouting and declining falling numbers has plagued some of the crop in Southwestern Ontario. The Canadian dollar fluttering around 75 cents U.S. continues to add stimulus to Ontario cash grain prices. •