GFO Newsletter for December 2013

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Public Relations Insert
Included with this issue of the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine you will find the Grain Farmers of Ontario Public Relations insert. This insert highlights the work of the communications department over the past year, focusing on our outreach to the general public, government officials, and our farmer-members.  You can also find an electronic version of this insert online at www.gfo.ca. •

SWAC Satellite Locations Announced!
Grain Farmers of Ontario and John Deere will jointly host four satellite locations for the Southwest Agricultural Conference (SWAC) on Wednesday, January 8, 2014.

In eastern Ontario, Grain Farmers of Ontario will be taking over the Kemptville location formerly run by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and the Eastern Crop Advisory Committee.

Walkerton – Huron Tractor Ltd
6 Durham Rd, RR4, Bruce Rd 3, Walkerton

Omemee – Green Tractors Inc
114 Heights Road, Omemee

Earlton – Green Tractors Inc
271429 Poupore Road, Earlton

Kemptville – University of Guelph,
Kemptville Campus W.B. George Centre
830 Prescott St. Kemptville

Go to www.gfo.ca/SWAC.aspx for a full list of sessions to be broadcast at all locations. Admission is $25. All locations will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. with lunch provided.

Register online or contact Erin Calhoun at 519-767-4137 or ecalhoun@gfo.ca.

For more information about SWAC, visit: www.southwestagconference.ca. •

Thank A Grain Farm Family Contest
Grain Farmers of Ontario congratulates all of the winners of the Thank a Grain Farm Family contest held this fall. Subscribers to the Bottom Line, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s weekly e-newsletter, were automatically entered into the contest. Four winners received lunch delivered to their farm for their family and employees.

The winners were:
Week 1:  Willem and Tineke Vos, Paris (District 6)
Week 2: Michael Shifflett and Claire Martin, West Montrose (District 10)
Week 3: Leach family, Brilea Farms, Cobden (District 13)
Week 4: Jeffrey Seys, Webcor Farms, Wallaceburg (District 3). •

Ontario Wheat Quality Scoop
Grain Farmers of Ontario once again partnered with the Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) and grain companies to provide wheat quality information for the 2013 harvest season. Representative samples were collected across the province and analyzed at the CGC’s Grain Research Laboratory in Winnipeg.

Samples were combined by region, class and grade and were analyzed for parameters that reflect end-use quality and performance. While Fusarium challenges were seen across the province, wheat graded 2 or higher saw exceptional quality results. Average protein levels for CESRW, CESWW and CEHRW were up almost a full percentage from 2012 averaging 9.5%, 9.9% and 11.1%. Falling numbers also remained strong across each class averaging 360 for CESRW, 370 for CESWW and 330 for CEHRW.

For the full 2013 report, please visit www.gfo.ca/Production/QualityScoops. •

EU Trade Negotiations
Grain Farmers of Ontario welcomes the agreement-in-principle for a free trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and Canada. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will benefit Ontario, and Canadian, corn, soybean, and wheat farmers. In 2012, the EU imported almost three-quarters of a billion dollars worth of Canadian soybeans and for the first seven months of 2013 it imported almost $50 million worth of Canadian corn. 

Access to the EU for Ontario grains is currently subject to high tariffs, quotas and strict requirements regarding the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We anticipate that the agreement will eliminate tariffs and quotas for Ontario grains and will significantly improve current requirements regarding GMOs.

Grain Farmers of Ontario supports more open international trade to curtail market access impediments and allow Ontario’s corn, soybean, and wheat farmers to compete on a level playing field in world markets. The announcement of the agreement with the EU will reduce trade barriers and allow the opportunity to develop new markets for Ontario grain. We have a positive export relationship with the EU and expect increased opportunities with the establishment of CETA. •

Students at the Royal
Grain Farmers of Ontario sponsored the attendance of a school group at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in November. The Grade 3 class from Dunrankin Drive Public School in Mississauga enjoyed a day at the Fair – including a stop at Grain Farmers of Ontario’s new Growing Connections exhibit. Teacher Carol Lewerentz uses the Grade 3 Teacher’s Kit to help her students learn about agriculture. •

Market Commentary
by Philip Shaw
In the November 8 USDA report, USDA increased corn production to 13.989 billion bushels on an average yield of 160.4 bushels/acre.  Corn ending stocks came in at 1.887 billion bushels while harvested acreage was cut by 1.9 million acres.  Soybeans were pegged at 3.258 billion bushels on 75.69 million acres with an average yield of 43 bushels per acre.  This was a cut of 700,000 acres from their September report.  Feed wheat usage was increased 10% higher from the September report. 

In Ontario, corn and soybean harvest continued to be plagued by rain and snow into November.  Low test weights in some corn has been evident in many areas of the province.  Corn basis will depend on harvest progress and future exports to the US.  •