ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GRAIN TALK 17 Market Commentary by Philip Shaw Early summer represents a time of year when the USDA can make a real difference. On June 30, the USDA renewed acreage estimates for corn, wheat, and soybeans. The new U.S. corn number is 95.3 million acres, down from 98.8 million last year. U.S. soybean acreage was estimated at 85.4 million acres, five per cent more than a year ago. Wheat acreage was 42.7 million acres, much lower than expectations, and the lowest wheat acreage on record. Futures prices have slumped on the news but are still higher than a year ago. The Canadian dollar has been trading below 71 cents U.S. in the first week of July. As always, a low Canadian dollar acts as a stimulus to Ontario cash grain prices. It’s a redeeming market feature in a year of surplus. • Grain Farmers of Ontario hosts federal reception Grain Farmers of Ontario joined Senator Rob Black and partners from the Atlantic Grains Council and Producteurs de grains du Québec, through the Grain Belt East partnership, to meet with Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Heath MacDonald on June 3. Discussions focused on key issues affecting Canadian grain farmers, including agricultural competitiveness, trade and market access, sustainability, risk management, and the long-term resilience of Canada’s grain sector. Meetings like this help ensure Ontario grain farmers are part of national conversations shaping the future of Canadian agricultural policy. 2026 GFO Annual General Meeting Grain Farmers of Ontario will hold its Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026, at a new location: the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford. The meeting will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Annual General Meeting is a chance to hear what’s happening across the organization, share perspectives, and connect with others in the industry. It is always a valuable morning to stay informed and be part of the conversation. As a thank you for attending, all farmers who join us will receive a free ticket to Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show. P&H export terminal in Picton now open Grain Farmers of Ontario Chair Jeff Harrison and Dana Dickerson, director of market development and sustainability, recently celebrated the grand opening of Parrish & Heimbecker, Limited’s new grain export terminal at Picton Terminals Ltd. This new terminal provides vital capacity and optionality for Ontario grain farmers across the south-central region, helping them to get their grains to markets across eastern Canada and around the world. The terminal is expected to handle 300,000 to 350,000 tonnes of grain each year, drawing from about 1.2 million acres. The investment is a vote of confidence in Ontario grain farmers and the potential for growth in our region.
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