GrainTALK newsletter – GrainTALK for February 2026

Women’s Grain Symposium

Grain Farmers of Ontario hosted the annual Women’s Grain Symposium in Guelph in December, bringing together 120 women from farms and agricultural business to focus on leadership development. A panel discussion with Grain Farmers of Ontario directors highlighted the opportunities for learning and new experiences that come with leadership. From a series of mini-discussions emerged key points to prepare the next generation for succession on the farm. Participants learned about the changing role of women in agriculture and analyzed the many factors that are creating uncertainty for farmers. •

Policy Day

The need for clear, flexible and effective policy tools rooted in grassroots priorities guided the discussion at Grain Farmers of Ontario’s 12th annual Delegate Policy Day in December, which brought together 100 elected farmer delegates from across the province. Against a backdrop of shifting political realities, rapidly evolving technology, and global markets shaped by geopolitics, delegates explored the policies needed to support a competitive and resilient grain sector. Insights were shared by political journalist Vassy Kapelos, global economist Guy H. Allen and technology leaders Sam Dugan, UpSide Robotics, and Loralee Orr of Corteva. •

Market Commentary

By Philip Shaw

In the United States, the government shutdown made for a slow release of information over the last several weeks. However, on December 9 the USDA released its latest WASDE report. USDA increased corn exports to 3.2 billion bushels, which is a record. This led to the lowering of corn ending stocks down to 2.029 billion bushels which was below pre-report estimates. There were no changes to the supply and demand numbers for the soybean crop on December 9. The final numbers from the 2025 crop year were expected in mid-January 2026.

The Canadian dollar hovering in the 71 and 72 cent US level has added stimulus to Ontario cash grain prices. •