Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine is the flagship publication of Grain Farmers of Ontario and a source of information for our province’s grain farmers.

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Author: Matt McIntosh

Provincial energy development policy

SAFEGUARDS FOR PRIME FARMLAND

November 2024 - IN AUGUST 2024, THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO ANNOUNCED a wide-reaching plan to significantly expand Ontario’s energy production capacity. From refurbishing the province’s existing nuclear facilities to expanding solar and wind power capability, the intention is…
Automation and farm jobs

STUDY ESTIMATES ONE-THIRD SMALLER WORKFORCE

October 2024 - WILL AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY REPLACE ONE-THIRD OF ALL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION JOBS? A recent report from The Conference Board of Canada, a national research and analysis firm, says it’s very possible. Indeed, the same report also says…
Modifications and repairs

‘RIGHT TO REPAIR’ RISKS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

September 2024 - THE RIGHT TO REPAIR MACHINERY LADEN WITH SENSORS AND COMPUTER SYSTEMS HAS BEEN A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME. While advocates say it’s important for farmers to be able to fix their equipment quickly and…
Pest threats are changing

WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT?

August 2024 - CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS ON FOOD PRODUCTION ARE OFTEN SPOKEN OF AS FUTURE EVENTS. For Tracey Baute, field crop etymologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the effects of warmer winters,…
Observations from Brazil

WHAT BRAZIL CAN TEACH US ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION

August 2024 - EDITOR’S NOTE Matt McIntosh is a regular contributor to Ontario Grain Farmer and is a 2024 contemporary Nuffield Scholar, researching initiatives helping landowners conserve or re-establish ecologically and culturally significant areas — without harming farm…
Fertilizer in 2024

FACTORS AFFECTING FERTILIZER PRICES AND SUPPLY

March 2024 - SPURRED BY THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and other disruptions, the fertilizer industry experienced significant volatility from 2020-2023. While supply and prices have since improved, significant volatility is still possible. According to Casper…
New fertility recommendations

LONG-TERM ONTARIO P AND K STUDY

February 2024 - THE YIELD POTENTIAL of modern corn, soybean, and wheat varieties are the highest they’ve ever been. However, recent years have also brought considerable increases in fertilizer input costs. Achieving crop yield potential has become a…
More winter barley acres

HIGHER YIELDS AND MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

December 2023 - SIGNIFICANT JUMPS IN yield potential and a desire to expand rotation options are making new winter barley varieties a more attractive rotational option in Ontario — the direct result being an increase in winter barley…
Farming smarter

EXPANSION OF THE PAN-CANADIAN SMART FARM NETWORK

November 2023 - DISCOVERY FARM WOODSTOCK is now part of a nationwide agricultural technology research network designed to test, troubleshoot, and develop practical farming technologies. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW• Established by Olds College in Alberta, the Smart…
Tailoring grain exports to customers

DG Global Inc. Acquires Sollio elevators

October 2023 - AS SOLLIO LETS go of its grain handling facilities in Southwestern Ontario, grain handler DG Global Inc. hopes the acquisition of the facilities will help meet demand for smaller, more customized grain markets. Sollio —…