FARMERS NEED FERTILIZER: REPORT In December, Grain Farmers of Ontario released a new report by Josh Linville of StoneX: “Farmers Need Fertilizer,” which represents a robust study of fertilizer and the circumstances and trends that have led to the current negative environment for farmers and the Canadian food system. The Farmers Need Fertilizer report outlines the complexity of global fertilizer supply, demand, and price and shows how Canada’s fertilizer tariffs impact farmers in Ontario. It also explores the investments required to address the fertilizer supply in Canada in the longer term. “The results of the report echo what we have been saying. ‘Farmers Need Fertilizer’ shows that the best short-term solution for food security is for the Canadian government to remove the burden of tariffs on imported fertilizer,” says Brendan Byrne, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “The report also explores the magnitude of the investment required to implement other solutions to address Canada’s fertilizer supply.” The report is available at www.gfo.ca/governmentrelations/fertilizer-report/ BEST OF CAMA Grain Farmers of Ontario was honoured to receive a Canadian AgriMarketers Alliance (CAMA) Best of CAMA award in the Crisis Communication, Issues Management, or Government Relations category for our 2022 Fertilizer Response. The awards submission highlighted our government lobbying activities, media outreach, and farmer-member communications. The Ontario Grain Farmer magazine received a Certificate of Merit in the Best Magazine Category. The awards were presented at the Best of CAMA ceremony on November 3, 2022 in Niagara Falls. TALK TODAY PROGRAM Grain Farmers of Ontario has joined with the OHL and Syngenta Canada, who will serve as presenting sponsors of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario Division’s Talk Today program, now entering its ninth season. Talk Today provides mental health support to players and raises awareness about mental health and suicide throughout the League’s communities. Mental wellness is a priority area of focus for Grain Farmers of Ontario as we look to help Ontario grain farmers struggling with mental health issues and remove any stigma still associated with talking about mental health or seeking help. This Talk Today program from the OHL and CMHA helps to start much-needed conversations and educate people about mental health issues. February is Talk Today month in the OHL, with game day presentations, educational activities, and social media campaigns held League-wide aimed at reducing the stigma associated with mental health and addiction. Grain Farmers of Ontario’s public outreach campaign, Good in Every Grain, will be activating onsite at the arena concourses at eleven OHL games across Ontario this month. These activations will be able to continue the Talk Today conversations on mental wellness and help raise awareness of the unique challenges Ontario grain farmers face and the potential mental health issues they face producing grains. For more information, please visit www.gfo.ca/event/ or contact Rachel Telford at rtelford@gfo.ca or 226 979-5581. WINTER FARM SHOWS Grain Farmers of Ontario will be exhibiting at the following farm shows: • East Central Farm Show in Lindsay March 1 - 2, • London Farm Show March 8 - 10, • Ottawa Valley Farm Show March 14 - 16. Farmer-members are encouraged to stop by our booth to meet with staff and discuss any issues of concern ahead of the 2023 planting season. 19 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER FEBRUARY 2023 Contest of the month Enter to win the monthly online contest for 2023 at www.OntarioGrainFarmer.ca. In February, enter to win a Branded 45 qt Tailgatrz cooler courtesy of Bayer CropScience (valued at $475). The contest is open to all farmer-members and is online only.
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