Ontario Grain Farmer December 2021/January 2022

18 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. FROM THE CHAIR A Q&A with Brendan Byrne, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. What were some of the highlights for you in 2021? Being elected chair of the Board of Directors early in 2021 stands out as a highlight. I am a very proud member of our Board and the work we do. I had been told by previous chairs that the job came with a lot of government relations work and being able to meet with the Ministers of Agriculture, their staff, and other representatives has been great. Part of the success we have had this year has been a result of working alongside partners such as the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition, and others, to achieve more and show the broad commitment that we all have to agriculture. This year, our Board made a real commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for the organization and we are undertaking training and have ensured that DEI is reflected in our values. I was proud that Grain Farmers of Ontario joined many other organizations to show Ontario’s support and recognition for Truth and Reconciliation Day, and I know our organization is committed to listening to and learning this year from our indigenous, Métis, and Inuit communities. And last, but not least, our virtual March Classic was one of the best events I attended all year. It wasn’t the same as being in-person and seeing all of you, but it was an engaging, fun, event that was best-in-class for the industry, in my opinion. • Do you have a question for our chair? Email GrainTALK@gfo.ca .