strengths is building relationships. That’s what makes these in-person Trade and Technical sessions so important.” On the Mexico and Colombia mission, Byrne and Dickerson were supported by SGS Canada’s milling and baking specialist from the Grain Farmers of Ontario and SGS joint venture, the Grains Analytical Testing Lab (GATL). This lab conducts annual quality testing of Ontario wheat and provides reports on milling and baking performance that help customers understand the functionality of the crop. During the mission, they met with millers, industry, and government officials to promote Ontario’s soft red winter wheat and grow existing and build new customer relationships. “The missions give us an opportunity to showcase the quality of the Ontario wheat crop,” says Dickerson. “With the partnership with SGS Canada and the GATL, and the technical bulletins that we produce, we can show international customers that Ontario farmers can supply them with the quality wheat that meets their needs.” IN-BOUND MISSIONS While it is important to visit customers in their countries, nothing quite compares to hosting them in the province to showcase how grains and oilseeds are grown, transported, and processed. In June 2023, Grain Farmers of Ontario welcomed Grupo Trimex, Mexico’s largest flour miller, as part of a Cereals Canada in-bound trade mission. Mexico is the second-largest export market for Ontario milling wheat (after the U.S.), and demand continues to grow. In August, Cereals Canada brought another delegation of millers to Ontario, this time from various mills across Africa. This group included a number of millers from Nigeria, Ontario’s fourth largest market for Ontario wheat exports. Grain Farmers of Ontario produced a tailored program for each ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 27 OCTOBER 2023 “One of the really positive aspects was hearing how well respected our farmers and farms are in other areas.” THE BEST ENLIST E3™ SOYBEANS AVAILABLE ON LOCAL RETAIL SHELVES. TM ® Trademarks of Corteva Agriscience and its affiliated companies. © 2023 Corteva. The transgenic soybean event in Enlist E3™ soybeans is jointly developed and owned by Corteva Agriscience and M.S. Technologies L.L.C. visiting delegation, starting with an in-depth overview of Ontario wheat production, quality and trade. The delegations also toured an export terminal and flour mill in the port of Hamilton and visited the farm of Jeff Barlow, director for District 6 (Brant, Haldimand, Hamilton, Niagara). Grain Farmers of Ontario also arranged for Grupo Trimex to meet with Minister Thompson who spoke to them about the strengths of Ontario agriculture and Ontario’s ambitions to grow trade with Mexico. “Both delegations told us they would be returning to their home countries as champions of Ontario wheat,” says Josh Boersen, director for District 9 (Perth) and Grain Farmers of Ontario’s representative on the Cereals Canada board. “They were extremely impressed with the effort and industry collaboration that goes into producing a quality crop, from farm to port.” l
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