GRAIN TALK 17 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER Grains in Action The annual Grains in Action program will be held February 9-12, 2026. 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 within the organization. It is an opportunity for new experiences, building relationships, and professional growth. Grains in Action is a tour-based program, with stops that highlight the different aspects of the grain value chain. Tour stops in 2026 include the Port of Hamilton, Solio, G3, LAC, the St. Lawrence Seaway, Ingredion, JP Wisers, ADM, and Pride Seeds. Additional stops are still being confirmed. Grain Farmers of Ontario covers the complete cost of the program, including meals, bus transportation to tours, and hotels; however, participants are responsible for their own transportation to and from the program. The program will begin and end at Sheraton Hamilton in Hamilton, Ontario. Mexico trade mission In early October, Grain Farmers of Ontario chair, Jeff Harrison, and CEO Crosby Devitt took part in a trade mission in Mexico, meeting with key Ontario grain export customers alongside Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness Minister Trevor Jones and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Minister Heath MacDonald. Following customer meetings in Mexico City, they attended the Tri-National Agricultural Accord, a summit which brings together state and provincial agricultural officials from Canada, Mexico, and the United States to work together on agricultural trade and development issues. Market commentary By Philip Shaw The government shutdown in the United States has led to a vacuum of information with regard to crop numbers feeding the price discovery algorithms in Chicago. Needless to say, basis values as well as spreads do tell a story and we had a solid bull market in soybeans and to some extent in corn in late October into early November. Soybeans actually gained over a dollar a bushel during this time. Corn prices were not as dramatic gaining rationally 13 to 15 cents a bushel on futures during this time. This futures price movement has been enhanced by Canadian dollar trading at 0.7048 cents on November 6 which serves as a stimulus to Ontario grain cash prices. • L-R: Jeff Harrison, Minister Trevor Jones, Minister Heath MacDonald, Ambassador Cameron MacKay (Canadian envoy to Mexico), and Crosby Devitt. Grains in Action participants toured the Port of Johnstown as part of their 2025 tour. Port expansion in Ontario and the St. Lawrence Seaway is one of the agri-food sector's top business stories.
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