From the CEO’s desk – November 2025
From the CEO's desk
As I write this, I’m en route to Mexico City, joining Grain Farmers of Ontario chair Jeff Harrison and Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Trevor Jones, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Heath MacDonald, for meetings with key wheat customers.
Mexico continues to be one of Ontario’s most important trading partners, and these kinds of in-person conversations matter. They build trust, open doors, and help maintain strong relationships in a world where trade conditions can shift quickly. Buyers want dependable suppliers—and Ontario grain farmers are ready to deliver.
This year’s wheat harvest is a powerful example of what Ontario farmers can achieve. Early reports suggest a record provincial average of 100 bushels per acre. These results speak to the innovation, management, and agronomic skill that farmers bring to every acre. The results from the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) also reflected the strength of wheat production in the region, with a new record of roughly 185 bushels per acre. These are world-class yields, and more importantly, they demonstrate consistent quality—something international buyers are paying attention to.
From Mexico City, I will also be travelling to Morelia to participate in the Trinational Agricultural Accord. This forum brings together industry and government leaders from Canada, the United States, and Mexico to discuss shared agricultural priorities. With CUSMA (formerly NAFTA) negotiations on the horizon, this is a critical moment to reinforce the importance of predictable, rules-based trade. Grain Farmers of Ontario will continue to push for stable and fair access to markets for all of Ontario’s grain crops and the inputs, agricultural machinery, and technology that farmers rely on.
As the calendar turns to November, the fall harvest season will be ongoing. This growing season tested many of us. From wet planting conditions in the spring to periods of drought stress in parts of the province, variability has been the theme of 2025. Markets continue to be unpredictable, and input costs remain high. Farming is full of risk—that hasn’t changed. What is needed is more support for farmers to manage that risk. Grain Farmers of Ontario continues to advocate for improvements to risk management programs, fair taxation policies, and strong public research investment that drives yield, soil health, and long-term farm sustainability.
Grain Farmers of Ontario is also working hard to build public trust and awareness about farming. This November, the Grains on the Go trailer will once again be on display at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto, where thousands of students, families, and urban Canadians will have the chance to learn about grain farming and modern agriculture. The launch of a new virtual reality farm tour in partnership with Farm & Food Care Ontario will help attendees at the event experience a grain farm firsthand—without leaving the city. You can read more about this exciting Good in Every Grain initiative on page 30 of this issue. •
