From the CEO’s desk – August 2025
From the CEO's desk
All eyes have been on what’s happening south of our border, and the ripple effects of U.S. policy are being felt worldwide. The grain and oilseed industry, as well as the broader agriculture sector in Canada, is no exception.
Trade disruptions due to tariffs and uncertainty about the future of CUSMA are just a few of the issues that Ontario farmers are facing as the U.S. administration, headed by President Trump, makes sweeping changes to agricultural, domestic, and international diplomatic policy. The old saying—when America sneezes, the world catches a cold—has never been truer.
Under Canada’s new Liberal minority government, Prime Minister Carney has emphasized building stronger relationships and trade pacts with global partners beyond North America, including the European Union. Grain Farmers of Ontario is well-positioned to take advantage of this new strategic direction. We’ve been connecting with global buyers of grains and oilseeds through a well-coordinated market development strategy that leverages the expertise of the Ontario and Canadian governments, as well as partners such as Soy Canada and Cereals Canada.
The world’s population is projected to be nearly 10 billion by 2050, and Ontario’s reputation for growing high-quality, sustainable, and nutritious grains and oilseeds will provide an opportunity to meet the demands of a growing—and hungry—population.
When grain farmers grow, Canada grows. That’s the message that Grain Farmers of Ontario, together with our partners from eastern Canada, the Atlantic Grains Council, and Producteurs de grains du Québec, have taken to Ottawa, with a new campaign that emphasizes the opportunities to grow the Canadian economy
through government investment in the agriculture sector. At our annual federal reception on June 7, we were joined by the new federal agriculture minister, Health MacDonald, Senator Rob Black, and MPs from parties across the political spectrum. Our advocacy on Parliament Hill is an ongoing priority, and we continue to make sure we have a seat at the table when it comes to government policy that impacts farmers.
On the farm, the variable weather and weed, disease, and pest pressures have continued to pose challenges for farmer-members this year as the growing season advances. Grain Farmers of Ontario’s continued investment in research and agronomic extension is aimed at helping farmers mitigate the impacts of these external threats. And we continue to see success: the growth of the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) is just one example. Now, with more than a million data points gathered over the program’s five years, the YEN is helping Ontario and U.S. farmers find ways to maximize their yield potential. In June, the learning continued, with a delegation of Ontario and U.S. farmers heading to the U.K. to glean knowledge from growers there, including world-record holding yield producers.
When you read this in August, the cereals harvest will be underway, and farmers will be gearing up for the busy fall harvest season. The Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), where Grain Farmers of Ontario and Good in Every Grain will be exhibiting in the CNE Farm, will start in just a few weeks, signalling that the ‘end of summer’ is approaching. Looking ahead to the fall, Grain Farmers of Ontario is busy planning for events like the AGM on September 9, Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, the International Plowing Match, and the Royal Winter Fair. I look forward to connecting with farmer- members at these events—be sure to stop by the Grain Farmers of Ontario booth to say hello to staff, delegates, and directors. •
