GrainTALK newsletter – GrainTALK for November 2026
An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events
Grains in Action 2027: Registration now open
Ready to explore where Ontario grain goes beyond the farm gate?
Registration is now open for the 2027 Grains in Action Tour, an immersive leadership and learning experience designed for the next generation of Ontario grain farmers.
Taking place February 8-11, 2027, this four-day tour will take participants across Eastern Ontario for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the grain value chain and the many markets that rely on Ontario-grown crops. From export infrastructure and value-added processing to advocacy and leadership development, Grains in Action offers unique access to organizations and facilities that most farmers never have the opportunity to experience firsthand.
Highlights of the 2027 tour include visits to the Port of Johnstown, Alinova Canada’s innovative soy processing facility, Sevita’s food-grade soybean operation, Kawartha Ethanol, Top Shelf Distillers, and Maizeing Acres. Participants will also travel to Ottawa to tour the Senate with Senator Rob Black, Chair of the Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee.
Along the way, participants will build industry knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and connect with fellow farmers from across Ontario. For many past participants, Grains in Action has served as an important step in their leadership journey, with several current delegates, district leaders, and directors having participated in the program over the years.
To register, visit: gfo.ca/grains-in-action/ •
Ontario farmers top Great Lakes YEN awards
Ontario farmers earned the top honours in the 2025-2026 Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN), claiming both the highest yield and the highest percentage of yield potential for the first time in the program’s six-year history.
The cross-border initiative brings together farmers from Ontario and the Great Lakes region of the United States to share knowledge, compare data, and improve winter wheat production.
Highest yield
- Jeff Cook (Ontario) – 163.2 bushels per acre
- Ben Wilson (Michigan) – 154.0 bushels per acre
- Doug Suwyn (Michigan) – 151.2 bushels per acre
Highest percentage of yield potential
- Laurent Van Arkel (Ontario) – 108 per cent
- Ben Wilson (Michigan) – 98 per cent
- Dwight Bartle (Michigan) – 98 per cent
Participants achieved an average yield of 112 bushels per acre despite weather challenges, insects, and disease pressures throughout the season. The results demonstrate how collaboration, agronomic expertise, innovation, and attention to detail can improve winter wheat performance.
Farmers interested in joining the 2026-2027 Great Lakes YEN can visit greatlakesyen.com/how-to-participate for details and registration updates. Registration is now open, and will close on February 1, 2027. •
Registration open for Women’s Grain Symposium
Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Women’s Grain Symposium offers networking, professional development, and leadership development.
The Women’s Grain Symposium is open to women who are grain farmers, active members of their family grain operation, or working within the grain sector of agriculture business with a direct connection to farmers.
The event takes place December 8 and 9 at the Crowne Plaza Kitchener. The cost is $150, and grain farmers receive hotel accommodation.
Professional childcare services (provided by All About Kids) are being offered free of charge during the event, thanks to support from Agriculture Wellness Ontario.
To register, visit gfo.ca/womens-grain-symposium •
2027 Annual District Meetings
The date and time of your district meeting have been confirmed and are listed below. Please go to gfo.ca for additional meeting details as they become available. Information is subject to change. These meetings serve as annual elections for district representation. Please consider putting your name forward to serve as delegate or alternate. •
| DISTRICT | DATE | TIME | LOCATION/DISTRICT DIRECTOR |
| District 1 Essex | Jan 21 | 4 p.m. | Essex Legion, 103 Talbot St N, Essex, ON N8M 2C3 |
| District 2 Kent | Jan 20 | 3 p.m. | Hidden Hills Golf and Country Club, 25393 St. Clair Road, Dover Centre, ON |
| District 3 Lambton | Jan 18 | 4 p.m. | Wyoming Fair Grounds, 595 Main Street, Wyoming, ON |
| District 4 Middlesex | Jan 21 | 9 a.m. | Lucan Community Memorial Centre, 263 Main St, Lucan, ON N0M 2J0 |
| District 5 Elgin, Norfolk | Jan 12 | 9 a.m. | Malahide Community Place, 12105 Whittaker Road, Springfield, ON |
| District 6 Haldimand, Brant, Hamilton, Niagara | Jan 11 *new date* | 9 a.m. | Mutual Room, Riverside Exhibition Centre (Caledonia Fairgrounds), 151 Caithness Street E, Caledonia, ON |
| District 7 Oxford, Waterloo | Jan 22 | 9 a.m. | Innerkip Community Centre, 695566 17th Line, Innerkip, ON |
| District 8 Huron | Jan 19 | 9 a.m. | Holmesville Community Centre, 180 Community Centre Road, Clinton, ON |
| District 9 Perth | Jan 20 | 9:30 a.m. *new time* | Mitchell Golf and Country Club, 81 Frances Street, Mitchell, ON |
| District 10 Grey, Bruce, Wellington | Jan 19 | 9:30 a.m. | Clifford Community Hall, 2 William Street, Clifford, ON |
| District 11 Dufferin, Simcoe, Halton, Peel, York | Jan 13 | 10 a.m. | Faith Community Presbyterian Church, 206 Murphy Rd., Baxter ON |
| District 12 Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings | Jan 14 | 9:30 a.m. | The Best Western Plus, 930 Burnham Street, Cobourg, ON |
| District 13 Prince Edward, Lennox, Addington, Frontenac, Lanark, Leeds, Grenville, Renfrew, Ottawa | Jan 13 | 10 a.m. | Elgin Lions Club, 19 Pineview Drive, Elgin, ON |
| District 14 Prescott, Russell, Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry | Jan 12 | 9 a.m. | North Stormont Place, 16299 Fairview Drive, Avonmore, ON |
| District 15 Northern Ontario | Jan 14 | 9 a.m. | Kerns Community Hall, 279279 Milberta Road, New Liskeard |
