March Classic 2025 Leading the Way More than 900 farmer-members, industry representatives, and government officials gathered at RBC Place in London, Ontario, on March 18 for Grain Farmers of Ontario’s annual March Classic. The event featured inspiring speakers, exceptional opportunities for networking, and a celebration of Grain Farmers of Ontario’s 15th anniversary. Did you miss the event? Visit www.gfo.ca/ marchclassic to view recordings of speakers including MP John Barlow, Vance Crowe, the live taping of the U.S. Farm Report, and the Innovations in Agriculture Panel. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GRAIN TALK 19 ASA Corteva young leader program – applicants wanted Grain Farmers of Ontario seeks a soybean farming couple or individual to represent Ontario in the 2026 Class of the American Soybean Association Corteva Young Leader Program. The Young Leader program enhances participants’ skills through leadership, communications, and issues-based training and builds a strong peer network, generating increased success in their businesses and communities. Phase one of the program will be held at the Corteva Global Business Center in Johnson, Iowa, in November 2025. Phase two takes place in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in Denver, Colorado, February 25-27, 2026. Young Leaders are not necessarily young in age but are new in their leadership development. The ideal candidate is looking to become more involved in Grain Farmers of Ontario. Applicants must ensure that they have the necessary documentation to travel to the U.S. For more information on the program, read about 2025 Class participant, Tyler Robertson, at www.ontariograinfarmer.ca. Applications will open in July 2025 and can be submitted to the American Soybean Association directly at https://soygrowers.com/ or by contacting Rachel Telford, manager, member relations for Grain Farmers of Ontario, at rtelford@gfo.ca. Market report by Phil Shaw Spring is in full swing across the North American corn belt. As of May 4, the U.S. crop is in good shape and ahead of schedule. Forty per cent of the corn has been planted, which is five points ahead of last year. Thirty per cent of soybeans have been planted, six points ahead of last year. The April 10 United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) WASDE report changed very little going into spring. Globally, the USDA actually boosted ending soybean stocks by 1.06 million metric tonnes (MMT) to 122.47 MMT. The Brazilian and Argentinian soybean production was left unchanged at 169 MMT and 49 MMT, respectively. In Ontario, the corn and soybean crop is being planted in wet weather, causing some challenges. The Canadian dollar at 0.7240 U.S. is up three cents from the time when U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs were applied to Canada. This has had a dampening effect on Ontario basis levels. Women's Grain Symposium Save the date: The Women's Grain Symposium will be held December 9-10 at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in Guelph.• Senator Rob Black, right, presented Crosby Devitt and Jeff Harrison with a certificate from the Government of Canada recognizing Grain Farmers of Ontario's 15th anniversary.
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