Summer fades to fall

IT’S GO-TIME FOR ONTARIO’S FARMERS – WE’RE NOW INTO THE HOME STRETCH OF THE 2024 CROP SEASON. As summer
fades to fall – marked by kids back in school, shorter days, and cooler nights – farmers are readying their combines and wagons for the busy fall harvest season.

This season has been challenging for Ontario’s farmers, with a cool, wet spring dragging the planting season later than many would have liked. Ongoing variable weather conditions have heightened the threat of disease and pests, with concerns about diseases like tar spot and Gibberella ear rot being on everyone’s minds. In this edition of the Ontario Grain Farmer, we’re publishing a special feature highlighting the outcomes of Grain Farmers of Ontario-supported, industry-wide research into mitigating the impact of DON in corn – accelerated following the 2018 DON crisis that cost Ontario grain farmers and estimated $200 million. Armed with more knowledge of hybrid selection and better testing protocols for DON-impacted grain, farmer-members are now better prepared to deal with DON and its impact. Read the report on pages 26 to 30.

While we are headed into a busy fall season, looking back over the summer, there were a number of highlights. In early July, the Board of Directors met in District 4 (Middlesex) and enjoyed a tour of a number of local farms and agri-businesses. We were pleased to welcome the new Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Rob Flack, MPP for Elgin- Middlesex-London, to our summer meeting BBQ, where we congratulated him on his appointment. We look forward to working with Minister Flack in his new role and to continuing our positive working relationship with Minister Lisa Thompson, who now heads up the Ministry of Rural Affairs.

In mid-July, I took a road trip north to District 15 – an area I haven’t had much opportunity to visit in the summer. Taking in a tour of the New Liskeard Research Station and a summer bus tour hosted by the Temiskaming Crop Coalition, I was impressed with what I saw. In addition to the five crops we represent – barley, corn, soybeans, oats, and wheat – northern Ontario farmers are innovating by growing a wide variety of crops, including canola and peas. The research conducted at the New Liskeard Research Station – some of it funded by Grain Farmers of Ontario – helps to inform local growers about the best management practices for crops in an environment that differs greatly from that of southern or eastern Ontario. I also got to enjoy a bit of vacation time, exploring a part of Ontario that boasts beautiful landscapes and unmatched opportunities for adventure.

In July, we learned that Brendan Byrne, former Grain Farmers of Ontario chair and director of District 1 (Essex), was appointed to the Farm Products Marketing Commission. Brendan officially stepped down from his director position, opening the door for delegates in District 1 to elect an interim director, Grace Pearson. I want to thank Brendan for his ongoing dedication and hard work on behalf of farmer-members as director and chair, and I wish him well in his new role with the Commission. I also want to extend a warm welcome to Grace, and I look forward to working with her over the coming months.

With summer behind us and harvest approaching, there are also lots of farm shows and events on the calendar. The Grain Farmers of Ontario AGM is quickly approaching on September 10, held in conjunction with Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, followed by the International Plowing Match in Lindsay in October. These events are a great opportunity to meet with farmer-members and to hear from you directly. We are also looking forward to hearing your feedback in our farmer-member survey, which is distributed in this month’s Ontario Grain Farmer. Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us – whether in person at events or in the survey. We want to hear from you! •