Ontario Grain Farmer December 2021/January 2022

20 GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO has a good working relationship with our U.S. counterpart organizations — American Soybean Association, National Corn Growers Association, and the National Association of Wheat Growers. We inquired about the 2021 growing season and asked them to share their outlook on the 2022 year ahead — checking in on their organizational agenda items, asking what is on the minds of their farmers, and what they are watching for in the year ahead. Here are the responses from representatives of each organization. SCOTT PERSALL, DIRECTOR, AMERICAN SOYBEAN ASSOCIATION As an Ontario farmer and member of the American Soybean Association (ASA) board, I have a unique view of the issues facing soybean growers on both sides of the Canada- U.S. border. There are many similarities in the soybean industry, the most obvious being trade with China. Trade agreements with China are a priority for both countries, and while China recently opened up their market to the U.S., Canada has had trouble accessing that market too. Some of the Canada-China tensions are being resolved, so hopefully we will see more Canadian soybean exports to China. Other commonly shared concerns include rural infrastructure and access to reliable broadband, herbicide resistant weeds, the re-evaluation of pesticides by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. and Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) in Canada, skyrocketing input costs, and environmental and sustainability programs and policies. Looking back at 2021, ASA’s top legislative and regulatory issues going into the year were farm economy, trade, biodiesel and renewable diesel, transportation and infrastructure, sustainability and conservation, biotechnology, and crop protection. What surprised us in 2021 was the domestic debate over feed versus fuel and the alarm that was raised over soybean oil supply. American farmers are projected to produce 4.4 billion bushels of soy this year, compared to 4.1 billion in 2020, and if the market calls for more next year, our farmers are capable of producing more. The U.S. markets are responding to new food and fuel demands with at least six new crushing plants under development and many renewable diesel plans have been announced. Trade is always on our radar at ASA, and as we move into 2022, we are ramping up talks with China. We are curious to see if a Phase 2 agreement with China is in sight. Throughout 2021, ASA pushed for market access in the U.S.-China Phase 1 deal. China has significantly increased its purchases of U.S. soybeans under that agreement, but we are hopeful for additional gains. Taxes are on the minds of our growers right now. Congress hasn’t passed its plan to cover its hefty budget wish list. While this includes much-needed infrastructure for farmers, and we are all keeping an eye on proposals that would raise capital gains taxes, change current provisions around stepped- up basis, or decrease our producers’ ability to effectively manage their federal tax burden. When it comes to the farm, herbicide resistance continues to be a problem. Growers need new tools and methods to manage these herbicide resistant weeds that continue to be one of the top threats to successful soybean farming. Looking ahead to 2022, the ASA is watching trade with China and pushing for infrastructure investments to help us stay competitive overseas with large soy buyers like China. We’ll also be pressing for the preservation of existing markets and expansion of new markets. Conservation, U.S. industry outlook INSIGHTS ON CORN, SOYBEANS, AND WHEAT Jeanine Moyer Industry news sustainability, and climate are also hot on our list as we work to share the sustainable practices our farmers follow while ensuring we keep our farms sustainable too. ASA has 26 affiliated state soybean associations, including Grain Farmers of Ontario, representing 30 soybean-producing states and more than 500,000 U.S. soybean farmers. Scott Persall is the director for District 5 (Elgin, Norfolk) and vice chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Board of Directors. CHRIS EDINGTON, PRESIDENT, NATIONAL CORN GROWERS ASSOCIATION Looking back at 2021, it’s fair to say variable weather, the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and a new federal administration have dominated our organization’s agenda. A corn and soy farmer from Iowa, I’m new to the role of president as of October 2021, but I’ve been on the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) board since 2016. While the western portion of our country battled drought in 2021, many corn growing areas experienced favourable moisture and growing conditions. While COVID didn’t really impact corn production here in the U.S., it continues to cause disruption in ports around the world. The transition in leadership in Washington, D.C. means it’s been a slow process to appoint people to positions necessary to keep policies moving. There’s been plenty of discussion around changing tax provisions and rules that could be potentially onerous to the transition of any small business, specifically when it comes to passing the farm to the next generation. This is something we’ll be watching in 2022. There are three major issues facing NCGA as we move into 2022 — growing the demand for corn, protecting our profitability on the