MAGAZINE UPDATE Over the past few months, we have encountered supply chain issues with the paper used to print the Ontario Grain Farmer. You will have noticed a different paper was used for the printing of the December/January magazine. We have been able to source our traditional paper for this issue, but uncertainties still exist with continued supply. Grain Farmers of Ontario is committed to providing the Ontario Grain Farmer for our farmermembers and we are working with our production partners to ensure a quality product is delivered on time. NEW MANAGER, MEMBER RELATIONS Grain Farmers of Ontario has hired Rachel Telford as the new manager, Member Relations. Telford took on this role at the end of November 2021 and helped to facilitate the January District Meetings. Farmer-members who wish to raise any issues or concerns may contact her at rtelford@gfo.ca or 289-979-5581. Telford was previously the managing editor of the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine and editorial specialist within the Communications department at Grain Farmers of Ontario. She is continuing to support the production of the magazine until a new managing editor is in place. SUBSCRIPTION CHANGES Farmer-members and industry associates who have changes to their mailing address or wish to cancel their subscription to the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine can contact Phaedra McIntosh, Grain Farmers of Ontario database coordinator, at pmcintosh@gfo.ca or 519-767-4130. MARKET COMMENTARY by Philip Shaw On December 9, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had no monthly changes in their report. The focus now from USDA will change with the release of “final” numbers on the 2021 crop year released January 12, after the time of this writing. Traders will be looking for changes in U.S. final yields for corn and soybeans as well as ending stocks. Any changes along with the weather market from South America will influence crop prices through January. In Ontario, corn and soybean prices have improved through the holiday season partly through futures price appreciation but also improved basis levels. This is partly due to a Canadian dollar which has shown weakness trading in the 77 - 78 cents U.S. range. 17 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER FEBRUARY 2022 Win! Enter the monthly online contest for 2022 at www.ontariograinfarmer.ca. In February - enter to win 4 Mt of YaraVera AMIDAS courtesy of Yara Canada (valued at $5,000). The contest is open to all farmer-members and is online only. FROM THE CHAIR A Q&A with Brendan Byrne, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. How are you going to deal with increased input costs on your farm as you plan for 2022? Rising input costs, and rising costs across the board, are a concern for all of us. Personally, I am going to connect with my trusted dealers, take a look at my nutrient and integrated pest management plans and understand where I can be more efficient. Prices for fall delivery in 2022 are good, so I’ll look at our cost of production and see what makes sense for this year. It could be a year where we forgo corn for more soybeans and see how this all plays out. On the Grain Farmers of Ontario Board side, we need to show the government what is going on in our industry with input costs growing astronomically, and equipment, trucking, and wage costs increasing too, so that they understand that we need their support when it comes to reducing other costs like the carbon tax. We continue to voice these concerns in meetings with the government since I became chair. • Do you have a question for our chair? Email GrainTALK@gfo.ca.
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