From the CEO’s desk – June/July 2025
From the CEO's desk
Spring has sprung, and by the time you read this in June, hopefully, most of you are well on your way to finishing up #plant25. As I write this in early May, equipment is starting to roll across the province, with a stretch of warm sunny weather in the forecast.
The spring planting season comes with a sense of hope and renewed optimism for a great crop year—this is where we put all our winter planning into action. Let’s hope for a successful cropping season with good conditions and great yields come harvest time.
The planting season comes on the heels of the federal election on April 28, where the Liberal Party of Canada and party leader Mark Carney formed a minority government, with the Conservative Party of Canada forming opposition. While there were some changes in riding representation, overall, there is a status quo in Ottawa when it comes to regional representation. That being said, with a new prime minister and a new agriculture minister, with Lawrence MacAuly stepping down before the election, Grain Farmers of Ontario is approaching the new government with optimism that we can work together to move the grain and oilseed industry forward. We’ve already seen some positive movement, with the price on carbon set to zero. We will continue to advocate for the total removal of the carbon tax, among other priorities, including free trade with the U.S., protecting and growing markets overseas, tax fairness, and support for risk management programs. The Grain Farmers of Ontario Board of Directors and staff will be heading to Ottawa on June 11 for our annual federal reception, where we’ll have our first opportunity to meet with MPs and government staff to advance our federal priorities.
This issue of the Ontario Grain Farmer focuses on sustainability. Grain Farmers of Ontario actively promotes Ontario’s sustainability story to stakeholders, including government, trade partners, and consumers, highlighting all the positive work being done by Ontario grain farmers to improve soil health, reduce environmental impacts, and promote sustainable farming practices.
While the federal government plays a big role in determining priorities for sustainability and climate-related policies, we’ve seen a shift to market-driven direction, with many of Canada’s international trade partners and industry end-users setting their own sustainability goals and requirements for the grains and oilseeds they purchase. This is where Ontario’s farmers have a distinct advantage; the focus on sustainability and a long-term view of protecting the environment means that we are well- positioned to meet the demands of the buyers of our crops.
As the growing season continues, I want to take a moment to emphasize the importance of taking some time for you and your family to rest, recharge, and focus on mental wellness. There are a lot of stressors at this time of year—we can’t control the markets, weather, disease, or pests—and there are global factors that impact grain markets and agricultural trade that impact our businesses. If you or someone in your family needs support, please reach out to a friend, your doctor, or call the Farmer Wellness Initiative at 1-866-267-6255, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to support members of the agricultural community. •
