the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Farmer Wellness Initiative, hosts a program offering free counselling sessions with a mental health professional trained to understand the unique needs of Ontario farmers. Ontario farmers and members of their households can access this service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 1-866-267-6255. If in crisis, please call 911. More information on the Farmer Wellness Initiative and other resources to support your mental wellbeing can be found at www.gfo.ca/mentalwellness. ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETINGS Grain Farmers of Ontario is beginning to plan for the 2023 January District Grain Committee Meetings. Be sure to check our website, www.gfo.ca, for updates on the date and location of your district’s meeting. Details will also be published in the GrainTALK Newsletter in upcoming issues of the Ontario Grain Farmer magazine as they are finalized. The Annual District Meetings are called to elect voting delegates and directors for the coming year. Updates on the organization and grain industry issues are also provided at these meetings. All barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers are welcome and encouraged to attend. MARKET COMMENTARY by Philip Shaw On September 12, the estimated U.S. corn yield at 173.8 bushels/acre pushed domestic production to 15.134 billion bushels. On the soybean side of the ledger, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expecting a domestic soybean yield of 50.1 bushels per acre, putting production at 4.146 billion bushels. This was down 1.6 bushels per acre for corn and down 0.8 bushels per acre for soybeans. In Ontario, it has been a soggy summer from Windsor to the Quebec border, but as we look toward the finish line, big yield is in the crosshairs. Some private crop tours are predicting a record corn and soybean yield. However, the crop is later than normal, and we need a wide-open fall. The Canadian dollar fluttering at the 0.7380 U.S. level continues to add stimulus to Ontario grain prices. AGRIHR TOOLKIT Get the guidance you need to manage your workforce! The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), a national, non-profit organization focused on addressing human resource issues facing agricultural businesses across Canada, has developed a toolkit to support agricultural employers. Whether your business is small or large, and whether you have a human resources professional on staff or you manage your staff directly, the AgriHR Toolkit is your foundation for success. The AgriHR Toolkit is designed to address the unique needs of the agriculture industry. Based on years of research and field testing conducted in Canada and internationally, this toolkit offers everything you need to improve your peoplemanagement skills and develop key resources to help you find, retain, and support your employees. Some of the topics covered in the toolkit include: • Recruitment, selection, and hiring. • Compensation and benefits • Succession planning • HR policies • Health and Safety • Foreign workers Through the partnership Grain Farmers of Ontario has with CAHRC, all Grain Farmers of Ontario farmermembers have free access to this valuable resource. If you are interested in gaining access, email hr@gfo.ca for the promo code. FARMER WELLNESS The harvest season comes with a unique set of stressors for Ontario farmers — long hours on the job often mean less sleep and time spent with family, unpredictable weather can cause delays and impact grain quality, and the fluctuating market can cause worry and stress. Grain Farmers of Ontario reminds farmer-members that there are supports to help get you through what can be a difficult season. If you or your someone in your family needs support, the Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO), an arm of 21 Discover other ways to join the GrainTALK conversation: E-News, Webinars, Podcasts, Radio, Research Days, and events. Visit www.gfo.ca/ GrainTALK. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2023
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQzODE4