19 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER JUNE /JULY 2024 Discover other ways to join the GrainTALK conversation: E-News, Webinars, Podcasts, Radio, Research Days, and events. Visit www. gfo.ca/GrainTALK. GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO SUPPORTS AGSCAPE At the AgScape annual general meeting in May, Victoria Berry, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s manager of communications, was elected chair of the board. Grain Farmers of Ontario is a proud supporter of AgScape and its programs, which provide factual, balanced, curriculum-linked food literacy programs and resources to Ontario’s educators and students. 2024 NUFFIELD SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The 2024 Nuffield Scholarship program is now accepting applications. The program, which has been operating for more than 70 years, offers mid-career professionals and farmers the opportunity to study an agricultural issue in a global context, including a minimum of 10 weeks of international travel. Scholarships are valued at $20,000. More information is available at www.nuffield.ca. Applications close June 30. You can read more about Lauren Benoit, the 2023 Grain Farmers of Ontario Nuffield Scholar, on page 26. ONTARIO CORN HYBRID TRIALS REPORT The inaugural 2023 Ontario corn hybrid DON screening trial report provides a risk assessment of hybrids entered in the 2023 trials, along with a multi-year assessment on the same hybrids if data were available. To learn how susceptible a hybrid may be, view the report at GoCrops.ca. Hybrids that have statistically higher DON compared to the susceptible check hybrid, should be managed appropriately through the season. For more information on DON in general, view the Grain Farmers of Ontario visit www.gfo.ca/agronomy. CLEAN FUEL REGULATIONS UPDATE The Canadian Clean Fuel Regulations come into effect this year. These regulations have been put in place to reduce the carbon intensity of fuels produced in Canada, including fuels produced from grains and oilseeds. KEY POINTS: • Documentation will be required for each step in the grain value chain from farmer to fuel producer. • Records must be retained for ten years. • The documentation can be completed using a stand-alone document that must be signed annually, or it can be incorporated into contracts. • There is a requirement for a single GPS coordinate (to five decimal points) for each customer. This can be the GPS for driveway or where grain bins are on farm. A Grain Farmers of Ontario FAQ factsheet, developed in cooperation with the Ontario Agri Business Association and Western Canadian grain groups, is available at www.gfo.ca/marketing. BE DRIFT AWARE There is a great new resource hub for farmers and spray operators with information and best practices to reduce spray drift. Visit www.BeDriftAware.ca for practical tips and test your spray smarts with our quick quiz. Be Drift Aware was created by Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and CropLife Canada. MARKET COMMENTARY By Philip Shaw On April 11, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) dropped corn ending stocks slightly by 50 million bushels to 2.122 billion bushels, the highest in the last five years. USDA estimated the Brazilian corn crop at 124 million metric tonnes (MMT) or 4.88 billion bushels. Argentinian corn production was dropped slightlyby 1 MMT to 55 MMTs or 2.16 billion bushels. On the soybean side, the USDA increased soybean ending stocks to 340 million bushels. The USDA came in with a robust 155 MMTs or 5.69 billion Brazilian bushels in contrast to the Brazilian crop rating agency, CONAB, which estimates 146.5 MMTs. New crop corn values continue at a premium to old crop reflecting the ample old crop supplies in Ontario as well as the production risk ahead. The Canadian dollar fluttering around the 73-cent U.S. level continues to add stimulus to Ontario cash grain prices. •
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