GrainTALK for December 2021/January 2022
AN UPDATE ON GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO NEWS AND EVENTS
DECEMBER/JANUARY MAGAZINE
Grain Farmers of Ontario has made a change to the publication schedule of the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine. This magazine is the December/January issue. The next new magazine will be distributed in February with a focus on research. •
2022 MARCH CLASSIC
The 2022 March Classic — Sowing the Seeds of Opportunity, Innovation, and Tomorrow is being held at RBC Place London on March 22. Registration opens January 4. Register early at www.gfo.ca for your chance to win an early-bird registration prize.
This year’s event will feature Sonny Perdue, former United States Secretary of Agriculture (2017-2021), a live taping of the U.S Farm Report with Tyne Morgan, and Jody Wilson-Raybould who will share her perspectives on leadership from an indigenous perspective. Live streaming of speakers will be made available for farmer-members and others who wish to attend online.
Grain Farmers of Ontario’s plan to hold an in-person event is subject to change with evolving Public Health guidance on capacity limits and other health measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All guidelines and safety protocols will be followed during the event. •
FARMER-MEMBER SURVEY
Grain Farmers of Ontario is conducting a farmer-member survey. Your confidential feedback will help our planning and make our organization more responsive to your needs. All farmer-members were mailed a copy of the survey with their September issue of the Ontario Grain Farmer and provided with a postage paid return envelope. You can also complete the survey online at www.gfo.ca/survey. All farmer-members who complete the survey will be entered to win a Yeti cooler prize pack. Farmer-members who complete their survey online will be entered to win one of two $100 gift cards per month (September – January). •
AALP CLASS 19 ANNOUNCED
The Rural Ontario Institute (ROI) has announced the 19 current and emerging leaders from across the province selected for Advanced Agricultural Leadership Program (AALP) Class 19. Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased to support the participation of Jeff Harrison, director for District 12 (Durham, Northumberland, Kawartha, Peterborough, Hastings) and vice-chair of the Board of Directors, and Mike Buttenham, sustainability and environment lead.
During the 18-month program, AALP participants will come together in both in-person seminars and online webinars. Class members will learn about leadership and organizational excellence practices, government and political processes, economics, social and environmental issues, trade policy, global affairs, and sector and industry-related issues. The context will include Ontario, North American, and international study travel components. •
MARKET COMMENTARY
by Philip Shaw
On October 12, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised both corn and soybean production estimates. USDA pegged domestic corn yield at 176.5 bushels per acre with total production coming in at 15.019 billion bushels. This increased the old corn crop carryover to 1.236 billion bushels. USDA increased domestic soybean production to 4.448 billion bushels by raising national average soybean yield to 51.5 bushels per acre. The 2021-2022 soybean ending stocks figure was raised to 320 million bushels.
October saw very dreary, wet weather inundate much of Ontario, delaying both corn and soybean harvest in a serious way. Wet, saturated fields have become a default for the 2021 fall harvest. The Canadian dollar rebounded into the 80-81 cent range in October, tempering domestic basis levels. •
2022 ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETINGS
Grain Farmers of Ontario and its 15 district committees have made the decision to hold all 2022 January District Meetings as online events via Zoom. Links to all meetings will be provided at www.gfo.ca and district-specific meeting information will be sent to all farmer-members via a postcard mailer.
The date and time of your district meeting has been confirmed and is noted below. Please go to www.gfo.ca for additional meeting details as they become available.
The Annual District Meetings are called to elect voting delegates for the coming year. Directors will be elected in even-numbered districts to serve a two-year term.
Updates on our organization and grain industry issues are also provided at these meetings.
Farmer-members interested in putting their name forward as a delegate are encouraged to contact their district director ahead of their local meeting.
Information is subject to change. Check www.gfo.ca for updated information. •