Published by www.OntarioGrainFarmer.ca OCTOBER 2024 MARKET DEVELOPMENT A new “industrial revolution” SOYBEAN-BASED PAINTS AND COATINGS
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30Optimistic outlook for global soy oil Jeanine Moyer 23Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists 6 ON THE COVER A new “industrial revolution” Ralph Pearce SOYBEAN-BASED PAINTS AND COATINGS 4From the CEO’s desk Your voice, heard 18GrainTALK newsletter An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events 34Good in Every Grain Updates on our campaign 10What does sustainability mean? Ibrahim Mohammed 12Advancing field crop research Mary Feldskov 16Exporting to the EU Jack McMillan 26From Ontario to the world Anèl Dannhauser 28Automation and farm jobs Matt McIntosh 9Business side Conversations with business experts 32Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists OCTOBER 2024 volume 16, number 1 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER is published 9 times a year (December/January, February, March, April/May, June/July, August, September, October, and November) through Grain Farmers of Ontario. Distribution is to all Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmer-members. Associate Membership Subscription available upon request. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policies of Grain Farmers of Ontario. Seek professional advice before undertaking any recommendations or suggestions presented in this magazine. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065283. Return undeliverable items to Grain Farmers of Ontario, 679 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 4S2. © Grain Farmers of Ontario all rights reserved. Publisher: Grain Farmers of Ontario, Phone: 1-800-265-0550, Website: www.gfo.ca; Managing Editor: Mary Feldskov; Creative Specialist: Nicole Koopstra; Advertising Sales and Sponsorship Consultant: Joanne Tichborne ON THE COVER Stormy skies ahead Treena Hein WHAT TO EXPECT IN 2024 From the CEO’s desk FEEDING THE WORLD 4 A year in review Laura Ferrier 10 Market review 2022 - 2023 Blair Andrews Business side Conversations with business experts 9 GrainTALK newsletter An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events 16 What do Canadians think about food? Mary Feldskov 14 Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists European trade policies Ontario Grain Farmer 18 More winter barley acres Matt McIntosh 20 Grain contracts guide Mary Feldskov 22 Ontario Agricultural Conference 2024 Ontario Grain Farmer 24 Stronger leadership Rachel Telford 26 Good in Every Grain Updates on our campaign 30 Farming for world hunger Rebecca Hannam 28 172024 ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETINGS CHECK HERE FOR DATES AND TIMES DECEMBER 2023 / JANUARY 2024 volume 15, number 3 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMERis published 9 times a year (December/January, February, March, April/May, June/July, August, September, October, and November) through Grain Farmers of Ontario. Distribution is to all Ontario barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmer-members. Associate Membership Subscription available upon request. Views and opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the policies of Grain Farmers of Ontario. Seek professional advice before undertaking any recommendations or suggestions presented in this magazine. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40065283. Return undeliverable items to Grain Farmers of Ontario, 679 Southgate Drive, Guelph, ON N1G 4S2. © Grain Farmers of Ontario all rights reserved. Publisher: Grain Farmers of Ontario, Phone: 1-800-265-0550, Website: www.gfo.ca; Managing Editor: Mary Feldskov; Production Co-ordinator: Kim Ratz; Advertising Sales and Sponsorship Consultant: Joanne Tichborne BIODEGRADABLE POLY 15-03 OGF DecemberJanuary 2023-24_OnGrainFarmer 2023-11-09 11:04 AM Page 3 GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 20
FARMER-MEMBERS ARE THE FOUNDATION OF GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO – 28,000 of you are doing your part to grow safe, healthy, and sustainable grains and oilseeds that drive our $27 billion industry. That’s why it is so important for me – and the Board of Directors and delegates – to hear from you. What are your concerns? What issues are impacting you and your farm business? How can Grain Farmers of Ontario programs and services support you? Over the past month, I have had some great opportunities to connect with farmer-members and share all the great work the Board and staff have been doing on your behalf. The annual general meeting in Woodstock on September 10 was one of those opportunities – a full house of Board members, delegates, and farmer-members gathered to hear annual updates from the association, learn more about the work we are doing, and bring forward resolutions on the issues they would like Grain Farmers of Ontario to address. This is an important part of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s governance structure, giving farmer-members a voice in the direction of the work of the association – the Board and staff work for you. You can read more about the association’s work over the past year in our annual report at www. gfo.ca/about. Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show, held the same week, was another opportunity for staff and Board to connect with farmermembers – our booth was a busy spot, with hundreds of visitors stopping by for a cup of coffee and to talk to Board members and staff. Great weather and lots of opportunities to ‘kick some tires’ and learn more about new technology, products, and services made for another great show. Next up – we’re looking forward to welcoming you to the International Plowing Match (IPM) in Lindsay, Ontario, October 1-5. Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Grains on the Go trailer will be exhibiting in the IPM’s education program, and we will be hosting our annual VIP reception for MPPs following the parade on opening day. The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Women’s Grain Symposium, and the annual delegate policy day are just a few more of the events on the fall agenda where we will connect with farmer-members. And while we are all busy in the fields during this busy harvest time, the winter Crosby Devitt, CEO, Grain Farmers of Ontario 4 From the CEO’s desk Your voice, heard SENATOR ROB BLACK AND CROSBY DEVITT AT THE 2024 CANADA’S OUTDOOR FARM SHOW. meeting season is not far off – please plan to attend your District’s annual meeting in January. And don’t forget – you have the opportunity to share your feedback with Grain Farmers of Ontario through our Member Survey. A paper copy of the survey was distributed in last month’s Ontario Grain Farmer magazine, or you can complete the survey online by visiting www.gfo.ca/survey. The survey is an invaluable source of information for the Board and staff as we plan for the future, giving us direction from you – the farmermember – on what is important and how we can best serve our membership. One of the things I’ve heard consistently from farmer-members this year is that it’s been a tough growing season – late planting, ongoing variable weather, disease threats, and low commodity prices are among the concerns. As the harvest season continues through the fall months, I want to remind you that there are programs and resources for anyone who needs support, and Grain Farmers of Ontario continues to champion farmer mental wellness as a key pillar in farm sustainability. If you or someone in your family or your farm team needs support, a list of resources and tools can be found at www.gfo.ca/farmerwellness.
1-866-267-6255 CALL TO ACCESS FREE, UNLIMITED COUNSELLING Stress on the farm Family or relationships Financial pressure Anxiety or depression Managing your workload Substance use Loneliness or isolation Supporting loved ones Processing traumatic events FREE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR ONTARIO FARMERS, FARM WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES FARMERWELLNESSINITIATIVE.CA SCAN THE BAR CODE TO ADD THE LINE TO YOUR CONTACTS
6 Cover story A new “industrial revolution” SOYBEAN-BASED PAINTS AND COATINGS Ralph Pearce FOR DECADES, CORN, WHEAT, AND SOYBEAN PRODUCTION WAS SIMPLE; corn was used for feed or processed into starch, oil, syrup, or ethanol, wheat was ground into flour, and soybeans were processed into oil and meal. Those were the primary concerns fueling the five to six million acres of combined production for the three crops. In the past 25 years, however, science and industry have expanded the use of corn, wheat, and soybeans beyond conventional applications. Corn stover and wheat straw, it was discovered, could be distilled into cellulosic sugars, while wheat straw components could be used to make interior panelling in automotive vehicles. Soybean’s ideal qualities for lubricants and other applications make them ideal for valueadded applications. Prisum Coatings Canada Inc., based in Holland Landing, Ontario, is a paint manufacturing enterprise that oversees three brands: SoyaOil, EcoColours, and Artisan Enhancements. Each reflects the company’s commitment to sustainable and innovative technologies. SoyaOil specializes in plant-based biochemical coatings technology, EcoColours focuses on biodegradable and environmentallyfriendly wood fibre mulch colourants, and Artisan Enhancements offers a range of decorative paint and specialized decorative effect products. Prisum Coatings Canada was first incorporated in 2004, ahead of the establishment of EcoColours – also in 2004 – SoyaOil in 2008 and Artisan Enhancements in 2010. The development of the company and its brands came in the wake of a change in Canadian regulations governing the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the coatings industry. “The changes in regulations highlighted the environmental and health risks associated with traditional petrochemical, oil-based paints and liquid synthetic coatings technology,” says Bjorn McSorley, head of business development for Prisum Coatings Canada. “It became clear that relying on the high carbon output oil and gas supply chain wasn’t a future-proof strategy. Recognizing this, we sought alternative solutions, leading to the concept of using bio-based oils, particularly soybean oil, which provides the best properties as a sustainable and ecofriendly biotechnology option.” SEVERAL ADVANTAGES The shift was driven by several influences, the first of which was the need to comply with the new regulations. Then came the decision to align globally with efforts to reduce carbon footprints and promote sustainable practices in manufacturing. Next was the opportunity to leverage Canadian soybean production and processing, which allowed the company to create high-performance coatings that are environmentally responsible and commercially viable. “Soybean oil is a renewable, stable, and sustainable resource, making it ideal for manufacturing,” adds McSorley. “Canadian soybeans are grown using environmentallyfriendly practices like crop rotation and reduced tillage, lessening the environmental impact and improving soil health. Soybean oil also has a 17 per cent lower greenhouse gas footprint compared to petrochemical oils, making it a strong choice for reducing immediate carbon emissions.” The coatings technology and paint and decorative products utilize foodgrade, filtered commodity soybeans. The University of Guelph is working to develop a new variety that produces oil with a higher linolenic acid profile – although it’s not yet commercially available. The oil profile is well suited for the company’s product formulae, even though available varieties satisfy the processing of their coating products. The type of oil they require also falls in line with the commercial lubricant industry, which helps both parts of the soybean oil market move in the right direction. BJORN MCSORLEY
7 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 The other factors that favour soybean oil are its lubricity and durability, which make it perfect for high-performance coatings. It also supports Canadian agriculture by driving demand for locally grown soybeans, ensuring a reliable and high-quality supply. Compared to other plant oils like linseed or sunflower, soybean stands apart based on its costeffectiveness, availability, and properties for use as coatings. It’s a “medium oil” versus short or long, which McSorley says provides balanced drying times, better flexibility and hardness, versatility in application, improved gloss retention, better flow, levelling, and compatibility with additives. “The biggest benefit we see for using soy as a raw material is the fact it contains zero microplastics,” he says. “The paint and coating industry is currently being looked at for contributing more than 50 per cent of the microplastics found in our rivers, the Great Lakes, and the oceans. It’s a global issue that needs to be resolved, and the paint and coating industry has to change and move away from liquid plastic coating formulated from the oil and gas supply chain.” GREAT NEWS According to statistics from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), from 2021 to 2023, the province averaged just under three million acres of soybeans annually and nearly 150 million bushels each of those three years. That’s an abundant supply of soybeans for the raw materials needed by Prisum Coatings Canada. The company sources their soybeans from local farmers, ensuring a steady and sustainable supply and support, fostering relationships with those growers, promoting sustainable practices, and ensuring long-term stability. continued on page 8 “BioMarker is the world’s first plant-based road-marking paint to be tested and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
bc9ba7 8 Their manufacturing facility in Holland Landing is equipped with highvolume ball mills, dispersers, and advanced liquid packaging machinery, enabling Prisum Coatings Canada to produce roughly 500,000 litres per year. The facility is also where the company’s research and development centre is housed, which enables ongoing innovation and product development. The company’s sales have shown steady growth, and two of its innovative products – BioMarker road-marking paint and SoyaOil resin – have gained traction in domestic and international markets. “BioMarker is the world’s first plant-based road-marking paint to be tested and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation,” says McSorley. “The City of Toronto is the first municipality in the world to use EcoMarker and our sports field line-marking SoyOil resin coating, releasing zero microplastics into Lake Ontario.” Prisum Coatings received funding from Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Grains Innovation Fund in 2023. “The Grains Innovation Fund support has been instrumental in propelling Prisum Coatings’ vision,” says McSorley. “As Prisum grows, so does the demand for high-quality raw materials, ensuring Canadian farmers have a consistent and expanding market.”• continued from page 7 Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Grains Innovation Fund promotes market utilization of Ontario-grown grains and oilseeds by supporting innovative projects that: • Open new markets for Ontario grains or grain residues • Expand the use and demand for Ontario grains or grain residues • Promote Ontario grains or grain residues as the best choice • Support the development of novel, value-added products derived from Ontario grains or grain residues • Increase the value (premiums) of Ontario grains or grain residues. The Fund provides up to 60 per cent of the cost of a project to a maximum of $50,000. Find out more at www.gfo.ca/market-development-and-sustainability. GRAINS INNOVATION FUND Women’s Grain Symposium NOVEMBER 25 – 26, 2024 Delta Hotels Guelph Conference Centre Register now! Space is limited. Cost: $125, includes Monday night hotel accommodation. Details at www.gfo.ca/womens-symposium Cover story
9 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 Everything you need to know about RMP BUSINESS SIDE WITH... (J.M.) WHAT IS THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROGRAM? (M.S.) The Risk Management Program (RMP) for grains and oilseeds helps Ontario farmers cover losses caused by fluctuating costs and market prices. Payments are made if the average market price for a commodity falls below its support level. The program allows farmers to invest and grow their business with confidence knowing that they are compensated if production costs increase, or market prices fall. The program is designed to offer farmers peace of mind in times of market volatility. It is available for farmers with Ontario-grown grain and oilseed crops, including farm-fed grains, edible beans, and crops grown for seed. RMP: Grains and Oilseeds was designed in consultation with representatives of the grain and oilseed sector and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture. The program was fully launched in 2011, and over the years, a number of changes have been made to RMP to meet the needs of Ontario farmers. RMP is jointly funded by the government of Ontario and producer premiums. Over the last five years, RMP: Grains and Oilseeds has paid out: 2023: $177.5 million 2022: $116,000 2021: $170,000 2020: $50.8 million 2019: $33.3 million HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK? Support levels are based on the industry average cost of producing a crop, which is calculated annually by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. To participate, farmers sign up, pay premiums based on their insured production and their chosen coverage level (choose from four different coverage levels - 80, 90, 95, or 100 per cent), and Agricorp takes care of the rest. Farmers do not have to file claims or report information to receive payments, because Agricorp calculates the claim position during the two pricing periods and automatically issues payments to farmers who have a loss. RMP coverage is unique. Each farmer’s premium is based on the historical yield of their farm and the crops they produce. They also choose a coverage level to reflect the amount of risk coverage their farm needs. In addition to covering losses caused by fluctuating costs and market prices, the unseeded acreage coverage under Production Insurance is also extended to RMP customers. Unseeded acreage payments for RMP: Grains and Oilseeds are calculated the same as payments for planted acres. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? To be eligible for RMP: Grains and Oilseeds, farmers need to: • Grow at least one eligible grain or oilseed crop • Enrol their entire acreage of each eligible grain and oilseed crop grown for the crop year • Pay the premium(s) • Participate in Production Insurance and meet all Production Insurance requirements and deadlines • Participate in premises identification If farmers are new to the program, they need to submit an application to Agricorp. This can Michael Smyth, Senior Industry Specialist, Agricorp www.agricorp.com Business side Jeanine Moyer be completed online (www.agricorp.com), or by contacting Agricrop and submitting applications by mail or fax. Farmers should understand that RMP is intended to work like insurance and participation needs to be continuous. If they cancel after a full year of participation, they will be ineligible for enrolling again for the current year, and the next two years. HOW ARE RMP PAYMENTS CALCULATED? RMP payments are the product of a farm’s average farm yield (AFY), their reported acreage and the difference between their support level and the market price. Each payment calculation is based on 50 per cent of a farm’s AFY because there are two pricing periods for each year. Payments are calculated in two pricing periods: • Pre-harvest payments will be issued after all pre-harvest pricing periods end, if the market price for an enrolled crop is below a farmer’s support level. Preharvest market prices are based on the average of forward contract prices or future delivery prices for six months before the harvest of each major crop. • Post-harvest payments will be issued after all post-harvest pricing periods end, if the market price for an enrolled crop is below a farmer’s support level. Postharvest market prices are based on the average of cash or spot prices for six months during and after harvest. Visit www.agricorp.com for more information about RMP.•
10 Sustainability Ibrahim Mohammed SUSTAINABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN THE CONTEXT OF AGRICULTURE, is often defined as the ability to meet essential societal needs indefinitely without causing significant negative impacts on the environment, economy, or society. This concept is not static but dynamic, requiring continuous adaptation and evolution to remain relevant in the face of changing conditions and emerging challenges. DEFINING AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY Agricultural sustainability is a multifaceted concept that integrates environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility. It is about ensuring that farming practices meet the current needs for food, fibre, and biofuels while preserving the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. To define sustainable agriculture, a collective vision of the future characteristics of agriculture is necessary, though this vision is often debated globally. Despite varying perspectives, four generally accepted goals can help define sustainable agriculture: 1SATISFY HUMAN NEEDS: The primary goal of agriculture is to meet the needs for food, feed, fibre, and biofuels. This involves producing enough to feed the global population while also contributing to other societal needs, such as renewable energy. 2ENHANCE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: Agriculture must protect and enhance the natural resource base on which it depends. This includes maintaining soil health, conserving water, and protecting biodiversity. Sustainable practices are those that minimize environmental degradation and contribute to the long-term health of ecosystems. 3SUSTAIN ECONOMIC VIABILITY: This means farming practices should be profitable for farmers and provide them with a stable income, ensuring that agriculture can continue as a livelihood for future generations. 4ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE: Sustainability also involves improving the quality of life for farmers, farm workers, and society. This includes ensuring fair wages, safe working conditions, access to resources, and promoting social justice and equity in the agricultural sector. What does sustainability mean? STEWARDSHIP, VIABILITY, AND RESPONSIBILITY
11 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 THE PROCESS OF SUSTAINABILITY Sustainability should not be viewed as a fixed end state but rather as a continuous process. Farming systems should be evaluated based on how they move towards greater sustainability in each of the four goals. This process is inherently complex, dynamic, and political, as different groups within society place varying levels of importance on each goal. The pursuit of sustainability requires robust systems that can adapt, evolve, and continue to function effectively under stress and fluctuating conditions. These systems must be productive, use resources efficiently, and balance the four goals both within individual farms and across the broader agricultural landscape. Achieving sustainability is not about labelling certain practices as sustainable or unsustainable; instead, it is about assessing whether specific farming choices contribute to a more sustainable system overall. KEY METRICS AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Evaluating progress toward sustainability in agricultural systems requires monitoring specific metrics or indicators. These indicators are tied to sustainability goals, but there is no guarantee that all stakeholders will agree on which goals are most important, especially when trade-offs are involved. The selection and prioritization of goals, and thus the choice of indicators, should be determined through a political process involving multiple stakeholders to serve society best. Indicators must be reflective of the processes or functions they represent; sensitive enough to detect changes over time and across different farming systems; feasible to measure in terms of time, cost, and required skill; and understandable and relevant to end-users. To advance sustainability, it is crucial to identify key metrics that measure success across the four sustainability goals. This involves ongoing monitoring, data collection, and adaptive management practices, which involve adjusting strategies based on new information and changing conditions to ensure continuous improvement and resilience in agricultural systems. For instance, Canadian agricultural production faces the challenge of maintaining long-term adequacy in food, fibre, feed, and biofuels, especially in the face of scarce resources and climate change. To meet these challenges, there must be an acceleration of progress toward the four sustainability goals. This acceleration should be supported by research and policy development aimed at reducing trade-offs, enhancing synergies between goals, and managing risks and uncertainties. SETTING PRIORITIES FOR AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY Determining priorities in agricultural sustainability requires making challenging decisions about which goals to emphasize and which trade-offs are acceptable. Different farming systems may be necessary to balance these goals effectively. For example, practices that enhance environmental quality might reduce economic returns and vice versa. The key challenge is finding a balance that maximizes overall sustainability. These decisions are deeply social and political, influenced by the values and preferences of various groups within society. Consequently, the debate over the future of agriculture is shaped by competing opinions and underlying philosophies about what sustainable agriculture should look like. It’s crucial to acknowledge that no single farming system can simultaneously meet all of society’s production, environmental, economic, and social goals. Instead, a combination of farming types and systems is likely required to address these diverse objectives effectively. The primary challenge lies in harmonizing these goals to maximize the overall sustainability of agriculture. Sustainability in agriculture is a complex, multi-dimensional concept that requires a holistic approach. Agriculture can move toward greater sustainability by setting clear goals, identifying key metrics, and adopting adaptive management practices. This journey involves balancing environmental stewardship, economic viability, and social responsibility to create a system that meets current needs without compromising the future. Achieving sustainability is not straightforward, but with the right strategies and a collective vision, creating a sustainable agricultural system for generations to come is possible. Ibrahim Mohammed, PhD, is Grain Farmers of Ontario’s sustainability and environment specialist.• For agriculture to be sustainable, it must be economically viable.
12 Research Advancing field crop research NEW UOFG PROFESSORS TAKE ON INDUSTRY CHALLENGES Mary Feldskov LIKE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WITH A KEEN INTEREST IN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH, Dr. Gursahib Singh, a pathologist recently appointed to fill the Grain Farmers of Ontario Professorship in Research Pathology at the University of Guelph Ridgetown Campus, got his start on his family farm in India. Pursuing an undergraduate degree in agriculture was a natural career path; choosing plant pathology as a specialty was rooted in the challenges he saw his father and other farmers face with disease. The weather in India, he says, is similar to Ontario, where humidity creates the perfect environment for pathogens to develop. “I think that was the big motivation to pursue my graduate degrees in pathology,” he says. “It’s the biggest challenge for the farmers managing crops. Plant pathology was an easy one to choose from all the streams in agriculture.” After completing undergraduate and graduate studies in India, Singh looked to North America to complete a PhD, eventually landing at the University of Saskatchewan, where he focused on Fusarium research. His research ultimately informed the new Saskatchewan recommendations for fungicide application for Fusarium head blight. His research was aided by what he calls “perfect” weather for disease development during a few wet seasons in Saskatchewan, giving him an ideal environment to study the disease in the field. As a result, he was regularly invited to talk to farmers who were seeing the elevated impact of Fusarium in their crops about his research. Extension work, talking to farmers about the results of his research and helping them mitigate its impact, is something Singh says he enjoys, and he looks forward to opportunities to engage with Ontario farmers as part of his new role. A FOCUS ON TEACHING Singh comes to Ridgetown following the retirement of Dr. Art Schaafsma, now a University of Guelph professor emeritus who is highly regarded by researchers, students, and farmers alike for his work in field crop research. Singh says Schaafsma’s research – going back to the 1990s - was often referenced throughout his PhD. The opportunity to get back to teaching undergraduate and diploma students at the Ridgetown Campus was a big appeal to the role for Singh, who, in his role as research director of Irrigation Saskatchewan, didn’t have teaching as part of his official role – something he missed. “I used to volunteer a lot for teaching at the University of Saskatchewan for the pathology courses,” he says. “I just wanted to be involved with the university and the students … that was the biggest thing I was missing in my current job, that I didn’t have the teaching component.” “I want to be in the class telling the students the practical things,” he adds. WELCOME TO ONTARIO “We’re excited for Dr. Singh to join Ridgetown and excel in this new role,” says Brett Shepherd, director of the Ridgetown Campus. “He will play a leading role in inspiring future agricultural leaders and conducting groundbreaking research to inform Ontario’s agriculture sector.” Singh, whose research focused on the Prairie crops, is looking forward to expanding his research on crops like corn, which he says are a “novel” crop in the West. “It is a big learning curve for me,” he says, “but I have the right mentors who are willing to help me. I have already been talking to Art (Schaafsma) and Albert (Tenuta, OMAFA field crop pathologist). So far, they have been very inviting and trying to answer all the questions that I have.” DR. GURSAHIB SINGH SHARING RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EXTENSION.
13 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 The opportunity to get back to teaching undergraduate and diploma students at the Ridgetown Campus was a big appeal to the role for Singh. Prograin® Discover the benefits at myprograinbenefits.ca GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO INVESTMENT Funding for Singh’s professorship is part of a $2 million gift from Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Legacy Fund. “Investing in the future of grain farming in Ontario through research is one of our key strategies,” says Jeff Harrison, chair of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Grain Farmers of Ontario is proud to partner with the University of Guelph, and we welcome Dr. Singh to our community,” he continues. “Dr. Singh brings his extensive experience in a wide array of field crop research, and we look forward to working together.” Singh and his partner, Ravneet Kaur, a foreign-trained veterinarian who works for Swine Innovation Porc as manager of research development, will join the Ridgetown community in December 2024. Getting out to meet farmers and start sharing knowledge is high on his agenda once he arrives and gets settled. Helping farmers find practical applications of his research results is something he focuses on. He recognizes that distilling complicated research information to make practical recommendations is challenging. “Talking to farmers, with my applied research background, I’m very motivated to try to connect with farmers and share my research,” he says. “If they are nodding and smiling and if at the end [of a presentation] they are asking questions, then I think they understood most of the stuff I was talking about.”
14 Research NEW ENTOMOLOGY FACULTY A familiar face at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus has recently been appointed assistant professor in field crop entomology. Dr. Jocelyn Smith, who has spent the bulk of her educational and professional career with the University of Guelph, started in the role in June 2024. Smith, a leading researcher in field crop entomology focusing on integrated management of pests in corn, soybeans, and wheat, says she knew she wanted to work in agriculture from a young age, growing up on her family farm in Lambton County. Her interest in entomology, specifically, she says, was sparked by taking courses in the subject during her undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph. “It was during my third year of undergrad that I took my first entomology course,” she says. “And it just really intrigued me. It was so interesting, and it really connected well with my agricultural background, thinking about pest management.” “And so from that point on, I was kind of hooked and I just took all the entomology courses that Guelph offered at the time.” RESEARCH Working as a research assistant with Albert Tenuta, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) pathologist and Tracey Baute, OMAFA entomologist, first as a summer student and after graduation as part of their research team, was the beginning of Smith’s long career at Ridgetown. While working in research, Schaafsma approached her about doing a master’s degree, and she later continued working with Schaafsma as a research technician working on insect resistance management. She then went on to complete her PhD part-time, and eventually became a research scientist at Ridgetown. “It’s just kind of been one thing leading to the next and and all these connections with these wonderful people at Ridgetown that helped me along the way, like Albert and Tracey and Art,” she says. TEACHING AND EXTENSION “I love the challenge of work,” Smith says of her research. “It’s forever interesting and always changing and, and I’ll never know it all.” Sharing her passion for pest management research and its real-life application is something that Smith says she enjoys about her role. “I’ve always liked communicating about entomology and the research work I do,” she says. “I like the fact that what I do is important to Ontario farmers, and I can understand where they’re coming from in their concerns in farming and pest management.” Teaching the next generation of farmers, agronomists, and entomologists is also part of Smith’s new role. “In the last few years, I’ve started teaching diploma students and I’m really enjoying that, and now graduate students as well,” she says. And while she’s often “tied to her computer,” the variety of the work she does is what make her role so interesting. “I get out and do field research, which I love … walk the fields and see what’s out there,” continued from page 13 DR. JOCELYN SMITH “A $2 million gift from the Grain Farmers of Ontario Legacy Fund helps support the Grain Farmers of Ontario Professorship in Field Crop Pathology.
15 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 she says. “But I also do really like diving into the data and writing up the results of all of our work too.” INDUSTRY ACCLAIM “We’re excited for Dr. Smith to excel in this new role,” says Shepherd. “She will play a leading role in connecting with Ontario’s agriculture sector on their pest management and crop production needs and help train the next generation of leaders.” In 2023, Smith won the University of Guelph Faculty Association’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Her internationally recognized field and laboratory research programs include partnerships with Grain Farmers of Ontario, OMAFA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Bayer CropScience, Syngenta, Corteva, and BASF. Being part of an international community of entomologists is an aspect of the job that Smith enjoys, and she sees a lot of value in collaborating with international colleagues. “I have a lot of amazing U.S. entomology colleagues, and lately, I’m getting to know more internationally,” she says. Among her research projects, Smith identified in 2018 the first case, globally, of field-evolved resistance to Bt corn in European corn borer (ECB), which has spurred extensive research projects and international collaborations focused on determining optimal resistance mitigation strategies, understanding the heritability and fitness costs associated with Bt resistance in ECB, identifying the genetic basis for Bt resistance, and enhancing susceptibility monitoring efforts. As a key collaborator in Canadian Insect Resistance Monitoring (IRM), her work includes overseeing annual field collections of corn pests, managing an insect-rearing facility dedicated to key corn insect pests, and testing their susceptibility to Bt toxins and insecticides. INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS Smith continues to farm in Lambton County with her family, growing grains and sugar beets, and she is a director with the Ontario Sugar Beet Growers Association – giving her a first-hand view of the challenges that face the industry and what needs to be done to solve the pressing issues that it faces. She says working in a cross-industry collaborative environment, where farmers, industry, government extension staff, and academia work together, is key to solving the issues that face agriculture locally and globally.• LEFT: DIAGNOSTIC DAYS AT RIDGETOWN CAMPUS IS ONE OF THE WAYS SMITH SHARES RESEARCH RESULTS WITH THE FARMING COMMUNITY. ABOVE: SHARING RESEARCH KNOWLEDGE THROUGH EXTENSION IS ONE OF SINGH’S PASSIONS, AND HE LOOKS FORWARD TO CONNECTING WITH ONTARIO FARMERS.
16 Market Development Exporting to the EU CETA’S SUCCESS IN INCREASING GRAIN TRADE Jack McMillan RECENTLY OBSERVED TRENDS IN ONTARIO EXPORTS TO THE EUROPEAN UNION indicate the success of the 2017 CETA agreement and numerous growing international markets for Ontario crops. WHAT IS CETA? The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is a free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union which eliminated the vast majority of duties and tariffs between them. The ratification of this agreement has allowed European buyers easier access to Ontario grain markets and vice versa. It is important to note that not every EU member state has ratified or signed onto CETA. Italy, Ireland, Belgium, and France are all major export destinations for Ontario wheat, corn, and soy, but those countries have yet to ratify CETA. Before CETA, market access issues caused by in-quota duties, tariffs, and market competition made it difficult for Ontario wheat to gain a significant foothold in the European market. Therefore, continual progress towards full EU member support of CETA would benefit and help grow Ontario’s commodity crop markets within the EU. HOW HAS CETA IMPACTED ONTARIO GRAIN EXPORTS? Since CETA was ratified by the EU and Canada in 2017, Ontario grains have largely increased their market presence in Europe, with Ontario corn and wheat exports rising to higher numbers than pre-pandemic. The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture projects that Canada will become the world’s third largest wheat exporter in 2023-24, after Russia and the European Union. The ratification of CETA in 2017 immediately removed tariffs on certain Canadian goods exported to the EU, including corn, and incrementally removed tariffs on other crops, such as wheat, over seven years. This has supported multiple emerging trends across the Ontario grain export sector, with 2024 emerging as one of the most diverse years of recent Ontario wheat exports. According to Statistics Canada, Spain imported Ontario wheat for the first time in the 2022-2023 crop year, bringing in 48.6 kilotonnes, which doubled in the 2023-2024 crop year to 103.1 kilotonnes. Spain is not the only country in the region diversifying its soft wheat imports with Ontario supply. In February 2024, the U.K., which rolled many CETA terms into the Canada U.K. Trade and Continuity Agreement, purchased Ontario soft wheat for the first time. BARCELONA, SPAIN PORT AND GRAIN TERMINAL.
17 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 HARVEST the WAVE Elevate your yield with Maizex, your trusted source for high-performance corn, soybeans, and now forage seed. Contact your local Maizex representative today. FIELD by FIELD | maizex.com Ride the wave to higher yields. Maizex_OGF_Harvest_3.46X8.865_8_24.indd 1 8/26/24 11:17 AM Spain imported Ontario wheat for the first time in the 2022-2023 crop year, bringing in 48.6 kilotonnes. Europe and the U.K. continue to lead as Ontario’s largest corn export markets, representing 78 per cent of Ontario’s corn exports on average over the past five years. This comes alongside first-time imports from Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela’s second-ever import of Ontario wheat, which indicates potential for an emerging market in South America and Latin America. The emerging South and Latin American markets are not due to the CETA agreement but rather likely due to supply chain disruptions caused by the Russian-Ukrainian war and the decline of the Argentinian economy. It certainly will be interesting to see if this trend continues, as it represents a new Ontario wheat market. Grain Farmers of Ontario continues to focus market development work for corn, soybeans and wheat in the EU and UK, with customer and government engagements planned for October 2024. Jack McMillan is Grain Farmers of Ontario’s market development assistant (co-op). •
2024 ANNUAL REPORT 3 Table of Contents Annual Report 2024 4 Mission | Vision | Values | Strategic Goals 7 Crop Representation 8 Board of Directors 6 A message from the Chair and CEO 10 Commitments 22 Financial Statements 30 Leadership Team 2023-2024 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Grain Farmers of Ontario held its Annual General Meeting on September 10 at the Craigowan Golf Club in Woodstock. The financial statements for the 2023-2024 fiscal year (June–May) was presented by the auditors, RLB LLP, at the meeting. The financial statements are included immediately following this newsletter for the easy reference of all farmer-members. The financial statements can also be found in the 2024 Annual Report, available online at www.gfo.ca/about. YOUR GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO TEAM Ibrahim Mohammed joined Grain Farmers of Ontario in June 2024 as the sustainability and environment Specialist. He holds a PhD in environmental science from the University of Guelph and has strong expertise in soil science, soil organic matter chemistry, decarbonizing food systems, and sustainability assessment in agroecosystems. His doctoral research, partially funded by Grain Farmers of Ontario, focused on assessing the impact of organic amendments on soil health and grain production, identifying costeffective strategies to help farmers reduce environmental impacts while enhancing soil functionality. 18 An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events In his role at Grain Farmers of Ontario, Mohammed ensures the successful development, execution, and implementation of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Sustainability Road Map and leads the related initiatives to ensure alignment with Grain Farmers of Ontario’s strategic objectives. Mohammed has also worked as a topic specialist at the Arrell Food Institute at the University of Guelph, where he contributed to advancing sustainable agricultural solutions in Canada. During his time there, he proposed a framework for a coordinated soil monitoring network aimed at decarbonizing Canada’s agricultural systems. His recent work as a research assistant and postdoctoral fellow in Dr. Evan Fraser’s Lab at the University of Guelph included leading the development of the Adaptive Management Framework, designed to monitor and transition agroecosystems towards greater sustainability. With his deep knowledge of soil systems and sustainability practices, Mohammed is dedicated to ensuring that on-farm sustainability regulations are both scientifically informed and reflect what is realistically attainable for farmers in Ontario, aligning with their real-world challenges. Outside of work, he enjoys cycling and hiking and is an avid fan of epic fantasy novels. He also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification and has been actively involved in mentoring and outreach related to sustainability and agriculture. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! Grain Farmers of Ontario launched its farmermember survey in September. We want to know what you think about the work we do on your behalf. The survey and a postage-paid return envelope were distributed with the September issue of the Ontario Grain Farmer, or you can complete your survey online by visiting www.gfo.ca/survey. Everyone who completes the survey is entered for a chance to win a BBQ prize pack valued at $500. Farmer-members who fill out the survey online will be entered into a monthly draw for a $50 gift card of their choice. The online survey requires an access code to complete. Find the code on your printed copy of the survey, or email Rachel Telford, manager of member relations, rtelford@gfo. ca. Online submissions are preferred. IBRAHIM MOHAMMED SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENT SPECIALIST, GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO 2024 ANNUAL REPORT Grain Farmers of Ontario Read the 2024 annual report online at www.gfo.ca/about.
19 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER OCTOBER 2024 WOMEN’S GRAIN SYMPOSIUM Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Women’s Grain Symposium will be held November 25 – 26 at the Delta Guelph. The Women’s Grain Symposium is open to women who are grain farmers, active members of their family grain operation, or working within the grain sector of agriculture business with a direct connection to farmers. This year’s conference features speakers on the grain markets, mental health, and the impact of technology, as well as discussions with ag business leaders. A $125 registration fee includes one night of hotel accommodation at the Delta. Registration is limited; a wait list will be created once registration is full. Learn more or register at www.gfo.ca/about/ womens-symposium/ or by contacting Rachel Telford, manager of member relations, at rtelford@gfo.ca. GRAINS IN ACTION 2025 Grains in Action 2025 is heading east! Grain Farmers of Ontario has created a new tour for its popular young farmer program that showcases the grain value chain. Tour stops in 2025 include Port of Johnstown, Ingredion, the Canadian Senate, Ottawa Valley Grains, Sevita, Kawartha Ethanol, and Maizeing Acres, amongst others. Registration is open and is limited to 30 participants. A waitlist will be implemented once capacity is reached. Grains in Action is a four-day program for young farmers to gain knowledge about the end uses of the grains they grow. Participants also learn about the role of Grain Farmers of Ontario within the grain industry and how they can become active members of the organization. Young farmers or college/ university students aged 19-35 are eligible to participate. Discover other ways to join the GrainTALK conversations; E-News, Webinars, Podcasts, Radio, Research Days, and events. Visit www.gfo.ca/GrainTalk. ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETINGS Grain Farmers of Ontario is beginning to plan for the 2025 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. COME SEE US AT FALL EVENTS Grain Farmers of Ontario’s communications intern, Maggie Pollard, has been traveling across the province this summer, visiting fairs and festivals with the Grain Discovery Zone trailer. The 2024 season wraps up at the Markham Fair October 3-6 and the Norfolk County Fair October 9-14. The Grains on the Go trailer will be at the International Plowing Match in Lindsay from October 1-5 and at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair November 1-10. MARKET COMMENTARY by Philip Shaw On September 12, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) raised U.S. domestic corn production to 15.186 billion bushels based on a record yield projection of 183.6 bushels per acre. Harvested acreage is expected to be 82.65 million acres. U.S. domestic soybean production was unchanged from August, with a yield projected to be 53.2 bushels per acre, putting production at 4.586 billion bushels. This is based on soybean harvested acreage of 86.259 million acres. The USDA report confirmed what we’ve known for a long time: huge crops in the States. As of mid-September in Ontario, soybean harvest began in some early soybean fields in the deep southwest of the province. However, it was still early, and many fields were still green, looking for dry, warm weather to reach maturity. Dry weather and warm temperatures were helpful mid-month. The Canadian dollar continues to flutter at the 73-cent U.S. level.
20 Financial statements To the Members of: Grain Farmers of Ontario Opinion We have audited the accompanying financial statements of Grain Farmers of Ontario, which comprise the statement of financial position as at May 31, 2024 and the statements of unrestricted and internally-restricted operations and net assets and cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. In our opinion, these financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Grain Farmers of Ontario as at May 31, 2024 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not for profit organizations. Basis of Opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Grain Farmers of Ontario in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in Canada, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Financial Statements Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with Canadian accounting standards for not for profit organizations and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error. In preparing the financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to a going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless management either intends to liquidate the organization or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so. Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the organization’s financial reporting process. Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements, as a whole, are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements. As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgement and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also: • Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or override of internal control. • Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the organization’s internal control. • Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosures made by management. • Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the organization’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attention in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, to modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the organization to cease to continue as a going concern. • Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation. We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit and significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit. Guelph, Ontario August 14, 2024 Chartered Professional Accountants Licensed Public Accountants Independent Auditor’s Report
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