ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER PAGE PILLAR 1 www.OntarioGrainFarmer.ca HARVEST PREPARATION SEPTEMBER 2026 Ontario wheat reaches new heights In the field, through the mill, at the bakery and beyond
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33 Business side Conversations with business experts 13 Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists SEPTEMBER 2026 volume 17, number 9 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: Kristy Nudds; Creative Specialist: Nicole Koopstra; Advertising Sales and Sponsorship Consultant: Joanne Tichborne 6 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 12 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 23 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 4 From the CEO’s desk 20 GrainTALK newsletter An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events 38 Good in Every Grain Updates on our campaign Ontario wheat reaches new heights Dana Dickerson 6On the cover MARKET DEVELOPMENT 14 EU residue rules raise questions for Ontario grain exports Melanie Epp TECHNOLOGY 10 Robots, research help farmers rethink nitrogen management Matt McIntosh AGRONOMY 22 Farm safety can’t stand still Ralph Pearce 26 Where crop protection products are put to the test Matt McIntosh 30 Drones can increase cover cropping options Matt McIntosh 34 Can grain be grown without synthetic inputs? Melanie Epp GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 18 Put agriculture on the municipal election agenda Ontario Grain Farmer 37 Business Directory
Crosby Devitt, CEO, Grain Farmers of Ontario ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 4 CEO's desk From the FROM THE CEO'S DESK As summer winds down and corn and soybean harvest is on the horizon, it’s a good time to step back and think about what this season really represents. Canada is often viewed as a small country because of our population. We make up only about 0.5 per cent of the world’s people, yet we are consistently among the world’s leading food exporters. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), Canada ranks fourth in volume of food exported, behind the United States, Brazil, and China. Grain farmers in Ontario are major contributors to Canada’s export success. The most recent Census of Agriculture, conducted in 2021, shows that, per acre, Ontario produces more grain than other provinces, and we consistently match or exceed yields in the U.S. Corn Belt. Harvest is when this is most visible. Ontario farmers produce an impressive amount of high-quality grain, but strong productivity alone doesn’t guarantee success. To keep growing grain and feeding people here and abroad, we need a solid framework around us: policies that help manage risk, encourage research and innovation, and support access to markets. That is where the federal-provincialterritorial (FPT) agricultural process comes in. Recently, agriculture ministers met in Halifax to discuss priorities for the next agriculture policy framework, which will come into effect in 2028 at the conclusion of the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership. In simple terms, the framework is the structure for how farmers, the wider agricultural sector, and governments will work together over the next five years. When that structure is strong and aligned with farmers’ needs, it helps ensure we can keep doing what we do best — growing grain and putting food on the table. Grain Farmers of Ontario has been closely engaged in this process. We submitted a comprehensive set of priorities for the next policy framework, outlining what our members need to remain competitive and resilient. Those priorities include effective and predictable risk management tools, long term research funding, support for trade and market access, and recognition of the economic and environmental contributions of grain farming. Our full submission is available on our website, www.gfo.ca, under the Government Relations tab for anyone who wants to see the detail behind that work. When we get this framework right, it helps farmers manage risks they can’t control, adopt new practices and technologies, and remain competitive in a global marketplace. It helps ensure that a country like ours, with a small population and relatively small land base, can continue to play a large role in feeding the world. September also means we are looking ahead to our Annual General Meeting. This year’s meeting will be held at a new venue, the Arden Park Hotel in Stratford, which offers more space to welcome our farmer-members. The annual meeting is an important opportunity to hear directly from you, report on the work we’re doing on your behalf, and discuss the issues that will shape the next policy framework and the future of our sector. I hope you’ll be able to join us. Our annual report will be available on our website ahead of the annual meeting. It provides a detailed look at our activities over the past year, from research and market development to policy and member services. It shows how we are working to ensure Ontario grain farmers can continue to thrive in a changing world. As harvest progresses, thank you for the work you do, the risks you take, and the food you produce. Grain Farmers of Ontario will continue to be at the table with government and industry partners, making sure your voice is heard and your contribution is recognized.• Ontario grain farmers play a major role in Canada’s food export success, but continued growth depends on policies that support risk management, innovation, and market access.
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ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 6 COVER STORY Dana Dickerson Ontario wheat reaches new heights In the field, through the mill, at the bakery and beyond A maple cream cookie carried aboard Artemis II tells a bigger story about Ontario wheat farmers, food manufacturing, and innovation.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 7 COVER STORY continued on page 8 While promoting Ontario wheat in export markets around the world, Grain Farmers of Ontario's constant refrain has been that Ontario soft red winter wheat is "reaching new heights" – of production, quality, sustainability, and global demand. But in April 2026, Ontario soft red winter wheat reached a height that no other wheat had before. As spring sunlight broke Ontario's wheat crop out of winter dormancy, a small parcel of Ontario wheat travelled to a place the sun's rays never touch - the far side of the moon. It had been brought on this voyage by someone who had also been raised on an Ontario farm - Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Before reaching the moon, the wheat had already completed a remarkable journey through Ontario’s value chain. It was likely seeded in autumn of 2024, a record year for Ontario winter wheat plantings with close to 1.2 million acres put into the ground. From there, it would have been harvested in summer 2025, which proved to be a strong year for yields and even better quality. That year, Grain Farmers of Ontario’s annual wheat harvest survey reported that 98 per cent of 2025 soft red winter wheat samples achieved milling grades. Following harvest, the wheat would have travelled through the grain handling system, finding its way into one of Ontario’s nine commercial flour mills. At the mill, it would have been tested for soft wheat milling and baking quality as well as food safety requirements. Like the majority of the 2025 crop, according to the wheat harvest survey, it would have achieved full marks against class expectations on flour brightness, extraction, gluten properties and cookie baking tests. The milled wheat flour would then travel to Commercial Bakeries Corp in Toronto, a Canadian bakery that produces over 45 million pounds of cookies annually, largely using Ontario wheat and other Jeremy Hansen knows a thing or two about Ontario farming and reaching new heights of success. He was born in London, Ontario and raised from a young age on a farm near Ailsa Craig. Rising through the ranks of the Royal Canadian Air Force, he became a CF-18 fighter pilot eventually reaching the rank of Colonel before his selection as a Canadian Space Agency recruit. He was the first Canadian to be entrusted with leading a NASA astronaut class and in April 2026 during the Artemis II mission, he became the first Canadian and first non-American to take part in a lunar mission, where he and his fellow crewmembers travelled further than any other human in history. local ingredients. At the bakery, which receives a truckload of local flour per day, the wheat flour would have been baked into crisp, golden, maple leaf-shaped cookies and married with pure Ontario maple syrup to form maple cream sandwich cookies. These Ontario wheat cookies, already a Canadian favourite, would become globally iconic in April, when Jeremy Hansen chose to bring them on board the Artemis II mission. As his ‘taste of home’ he shared them with his fellow astronauts during the communications blackout as they flew around the far side of the moon. Speaking with Shawn Warren, CEO of Commercial Bakeries Corp, it was a surprise to see their cookies in space. “As proud Canadians, our team were all following the Artemis II mission and we saw the pictures of the cookies from the Canadian Space Agency. We recognized the distinctive shape of our maple cream sandwich cookies, and we were proud to be able to confirm with our friends at Turkey Hill that they were the ones selected by the Canadian Space Program.” Warren confirmed that Commercial Bakeries sources flour milled in Ontario from Ontario-grown wheat. It is, in fact, the distinctive quality of Ontario soft red winter wheat that helps Commercial Bakeries Corp's maple cream cookies achieve their signature shape and fine details. While bread flour is often valued for high protein and strong gluten, cookie manufacturers are looking for the opposite characteristics. Ontario soft red winter wheat produces a lower-protein flour that allows cookies to bake with a crisp texture, controlled spread and Image Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 8 COVER STORY continued from page 7 sharp definition. These qualities help preserve the maple leaf's decorative details and ensure each cookie consistently matches its partner when assembled into a sandwich cookie. Consistently delivering that quality, year after year, is where Ontario has earned a strong wheat reputation in the cookie business. Grain Farmers of Ontario's wheat harvest survey has repeatedly demonstrated that Ontario soft red winter wheat performs reliably against soft wheat key milling and baking specifications, particularly for complex cookies. "I would say we've been blessed with the work that the Ontario farmers have done with a very consistent high quality of product that we've seen over my tenure here," says Warren. That consistency is no accident. It reflects decades of investment by Ontario farmers in plant breeding, agronomy research, performance testing and quality assurance programs designed to keep Ontario wheat competitive in demanding food markets. It’s the result of the sophisticated management of Ontario farmers growing wheat for milling markets, underpinned by programs like the Great Lakes Yield Enhancement program. Commercial Bakeries is working to raise Ontario’s baking sector to new heights through their vision of “Baking Up Better". “We are seeing double-digit volume growth out of our Ontario facilities,” says Warren, “and we are seeing dramatic improvements on our safety record, dramatic improvements on waste reduction, and our lowest attrition rate in the history of the company.” This vision has helped Commercial Bakeries expand sales of maple cream cookies into markets across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. “You can only imagine that seeing our cookies being the ones that Artemis II NASA astronauts (left to right) Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, and CSA (Canadian Space Agency) astronaut Jeremy Hansen on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. Image Credit: NASA/Frank Michaux “You can only imagine that seeing our cookies being the ones that went into space helps to reinforce that sense of pride throughout our team. - Shawn Warren, CEO, Commercial Bakeries Corp.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 9 Commercial Bakeries Corp. staff pose in front of a photo of Jeremy Hansen with maple cookies produced at the bakery. COVER STORY went into space helps to reinforce that sense of pride throughout our team,” says Warren. Whether Jeremy Hansen has ever reflected on the connection between his cookie choice and his own Ontario farm roots remains an open question. Grain Farmers of Ontario farmer-members will have the opportunity to hear from Jeremy when he headlines Grain Farmers of Ontario's March Classic on March 23, 2027, in Niagara Falls. Hansen will share his remarkable story of leadership, resilience, teamwork, and exploration before participating in a live question-and-answer session with attendees. Dana Dickerson is Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Director of Market Development and Sustainability. •
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 10 TECHNOLOGY Matt McIntosh Robots, research help farmers rethink nitrogen management Early on-farm trial results suggest some growers may be able to reduce nitrogen applications while maintaining yields and improving returns Researchers and farmers shared lessons from nitrogen-reduction trials, including promising profit results and challenges with new technology. Farmers and agronomists gathered near Walkerton in June to learn how local producer Gerard Grubb is trying to optimize nitrogen use through comparative corn trials, and potentially, small robotic applicators developed by ag-tech company Upside Robotics. Sponsored by the Ontario Soil Network, the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario, and Farmers for Climate Solutions, the event was an opportunity to hear what the organizations, and Upside Robotics, have found in past nitrogen-reduction field trials. The takeaway message appears to be that Ontario growers, through their own on-farm experimentation, may have a good chance of improving profitability by reducing how much nitrogen they use. A HISTORY OF RESEARCH Grubb employs a strip-till system to manage what he describes as good gravel-loam soil. Frost-seeded cover crops are an important part of his rotation, as are biosolids. Also, a repeat participant in the Yield Enhancement Network (YEN) program, Grubb has long strived to improve production through on-farm research. Indeed, he says every field he operates “has had some form of research on it.” In 2026, that research includes partnerships with Upside Robotics and Farmers for Climate Solutions, a farmer-led organization developing and advocating for policies that better support the adoption of low-emission, high-resilience approaches in agriculture. With Upside Robotics, Grubb is one of 31 farmers across the province trialling small, autonomous liquid nitrogen microdosing applicators. Tanya Franklin, Upside Robotics’ vice-president of agronomy and strategic partnerships, describes the design as “a Roomba for your corn field,” with the implement travelling the length of every other corn row to dispense liquid UAN across the entire growing season. Critically, she says, that includes the post-VT development stage when the crop is prohibitively tall for conventional application systems but still requires about 40 per cent of its nitrogen needs. A second project involves Farmers for Climate Solutions’ Profit Warranty to Optimize Nitrogen Rates, a program designed to lower the financial risk of split nitrogen applications while reducing the total amount of nitrogen applied. Participants in the program sign up to plant a corn test plot with just 30 pounds of nitrogen up front, and another reduced rate postplanting. Zero-nitrogen control plots are also encouraged to help bracket yield changes from the reduced rate and the conventional rate applied to the rest of the field. Participants are provided with a $1,000 honorarium, up to $500 in agronomist service support, and, as the name Profit Warranty suggests, a warranty in case they incur profit losses compared with their standard production approach. For Grubb, the Profit Warranty program offered a good opportunity to “really see how much nitrogen we can operate with.” Two test cases have been planted in 2026: one with 30 pounds of starter fertilizer followed by just 30 pounds of sidedress fertility, and a second with 30 pounds of starter and 60 pounds of sidedress fertility.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 11 TECHNOLOGY continued on page 12 C M Y CM MY CY CMY K Altoya_Pub_Print.pdf 1 2026-07-22 13:31:10 While separate from the Upside Robotics project, yield and profitability results from reduced-nitrogen test plots could later inform the use of autonomous application equipment. TEETHING PROBLEMS 2024 was the inaugural year for Upside Robotics field trials, says Franklin, with seven Ontario farmers working with the company. That number grew to 11 farmers in 2025, and 31, including Grubb, in 2026. The effectiveness of the company’s autonomous application platforms has been mixed to date. Early problems with the material quality of fertilizer holding tanks caused corrosion issues in critical electronic components, for example, leading to significant downtime in 2024. Large antennas required to maintain connectivity in tall standing corn have also proven challenging, as they were prone to snapping off after contact with corn stalks. Some connectivity challenges were recurring. In Grubb’s field this year, specifically, improved programming was needed to help the implement traverse an oddly sloped field. The amount of unexpected downtime in previous years and in other fields meant some acres did not receive the full amount ABOUT UPSIDE ROBOTICS By Owen Roberts Upside Robotics designs autonomous solar-powered field robots, about the size of a large cooler, that deliver nutrients precisely, continuously, and efficiently. The robots operate autonomously between the rows - no operator is required, and no interference occurs with normal farm operations. The robots apply fertilizer on an as-needed basis, with sensors on the robots assessing individual plants’ real-time requirements. Every field collects data that builds a precise picture of what each acre actually needs, rather than what the average field might need. Instead of a single blanket nitrogen application at the start of the season, Upside's robots make up to 20 targeted applications from crop emergence through to near-harvest. “Our systems operate directly in the field and adapt in real time to soil, crop, and weather conditions,” says company co-founder Sam Dugan. “We focus on practical deployment by building technology that integrates into existing farm workflows and delivers measurable results without adding complexity. Every robot is designed to run frequently, learn continuously and scale across real agricultural operations.” The People’s Choice In April, Upside Robotics won one of two People’s Choice awards at the Grand River Agricultural Society’s fifth SPARK symposium, held in Elora. This event, which drew 130 attendees, strives to connect agricultural and environmental technology companies with potential investors, and provide a platform showcasing innovative agricultural businesses, as well as business opportunities in agriculture. In the People’s Choice category, Upside Robotics was voted “The company that attendees would invest in.” New Generation This year marked the launch of Upside Robotics’ secondgeneration base station and fifth-generation robot, improved through experience. Dugan says the changes entailed double the engineering effort of all previous generations combined, with a focus on serviceability, reliability and durability. This year's systems can apply up to four different nutrient blends simultaneously, adding micro and macro nutrients alongside nitrogen, based on real-time crop deficiencies.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 12 TECHNOLOGY continued from page 11 ™ Looking for more reliable ergot management and yield performance? KWS Hybrid Rye with PollenPLUS™ ensures stronger pollen shedding and robust results. www.kws.com/ca KWS Hybrid Rye with PollenPLUS™ of intended nitrogen. Franklin says this brought an unexpected revelation, however, as those same acres still appeared to perform well. Even in places where zero nitrogen was applied, yields were still above 200 bushels per acre. “Last year, even though we had inopportune placement and problematic timing, we were still able to prove with multiple split applications across the season we could still significantly cut nitrogen rates without harming yield,” Franklin says. She adds some research has linked lower nitrogen application rates with healthier and more active soil biology, and that this might be the reason good yields are still possible with much lower rates of nitrogen. “Nitrogen is not the limiting factor … But that can only be achieved with multiple applications. Sometimes the limiting factor is the equipment itself.” HIGHER PROFITABILITY While data from Grubb’s profit warranty project will not be available until after harvest this year, Lorraine Vandermyden, resource and demonstration co-ordinator with the Ontario Soil Network, says the data gathered from the seven farmers participating in 2025 was encouraging. Two of the seven participants experienced significant drought in 2025, which contributed to yield reductions in low-nitrogen test plots of about five bu./ac., and $10 to $12 lower profit per acre. A third participant had already been driving down their nitrogen rates, and experienced significant bushel and profit losses in a further reduced plot. The other four participants, however, saw yield losses of just one or two bushels per acre and corresponding profit increases of $13, $15, $22, and $23 per acre. “The story is there might be more nitrogen coming from the soil than originally thought,” says Vandermyden. For Grubb’s 2026 crop, she thinks his historical use of biosolids will be a factor to watch. “Looking at all the stories that come from the (2025) data, you have to do this on your own farm, taking into account the weather, your soil type, your cover crop stand from last year, and all those things in order to draw conclusions from the data.” Corn growers interested in participating in the Profit Warranty program can apply through the Farmers for Climate Solutions website. “Looking at all the stories that come from the (2025) data, you have to do this on your own farm, taking into account the weather, and your soil type, and your cover crop stand from last year, and all those things in order to draw conclusions from the data.” Corn growers interested in participating in the profit warranty program can apply through the Farmers for Climate Solutions website. •
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 13 CROP SIDE How much broadcast potash fertilizer is safe for soybeans? Horst Bohner Crop side with... Horst Bohner, Soybean Specialist OMAFA Figure 1: Potassium deficiency on older leaves in soybeans. Despite its importance to soybean health, visible potassium deficiency symptoms appear in many fields across the province each year. The issue is primarily driven by two compounding factors: the soybean plant’s exceptionally high potassium demand, and the inability of soybean roots to effectively take up the nutrient when soils are dry. When deficiency occurs early in the growing season, it typically appears as distinct yellowing, followed by browning, along the margins of older leaves (see Figure 1). A lack of adequate potassium also worsens other crop stresses. For example, soybean aphid feeding and reproduction rates increase significantly when aphids infest potassium-deficient plants (see Figure 2). In late August or September, soybean plants naturally remobilize internal nutrients to feed developing seed. As this happens, potassium deficiency symptoms can move from older leaves and become evident at the top of the crop canopy, especially in fields already low in potassium. The most cost-effective agronomic treatment for potassium deficiency is granular muriate of potash (0-0-60, potassium chloride), which is often referred to as potash. However, managing potash requires attention to application safety. Because potash is almost 50 per cent chloride by weight, it has a high salt index. If it is applied at high rates or close to the seed, this high salt index can severely burn vulnerable seeds or emerging young plants. To prevent crop injury, potash should not be placed in-furrow in direct contact with the seed. The high amount of chloride added to the soil can also harm soybean plants. Soybean plants may appear stunted and lighter in colour with high rates of spring-applied broadcast potash (see Figure 3). While some agronomists recommend low spring broadcast rates and limiting application timing to a few weeks before seeding to eliminate any risk from potash, newer field research offers considerable flexibility. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA) has conducted field trials over the past five years to evaluate safe broadcast application rates before soybeans. To date, these trials have consistently shown no yield reductions at broadcast potash rates of up to 300 lbs/ acre, even when the fertilizer is broadcast immediately before planting. This gives growers a proven, safe upper limit for spring broadcast programs without risking the health of their soybean crop. For additional safety on sandy soils, lowering the upper limit to 200 pounds per acre may be advisable. It is important to note that these upper safe rates do not necessarily provide the highest economic rate of return. The expected yield increase is closely tied to the soil test level. At potassium soil test levels above 120 parts per million, no economic yield gains were found in these trials. • Figure 2: Center row showing potassium deficiency with higher populations of soybean aphid. Figure 3: 400 lbs/acre of potash spring broadcast on left side showing pale green stunted plants compared to the untreated plants on the right side of the picture.
14 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT Melanie Epp EU residue rules raise questions for Ontario grain exports France’s import ban signals what could come next Proposed EU residue rules could put Ontario grain exports at risk by restricting imports of crops treated with products banned in Europe but still used in Canada, creating new market access uncertainty for growers. The European Union represents a $3 billion market opportunity for Canadian grain, and one of the most complicated. EU member states and the United Kingdom are among Ontario’s top grain buyers, importing more than one million tonnes of corn and 200,000 tonnes of soybeans annually. But the EU regulates crop protection products differently than Canada does. Its Food and Feed Safety Simplification Omnibus, published Dec. 16, 2025, would set import residue limits at effectively zero for substances banned in the EU but still used here, threatening that market access. Neonicotinoids were the first substances targeted, with new limits taking effect in spring 2026. The EU has signalled others will follow. What that could mean in practice became clearer Jan. 7, 2026, when France moved ahead of the EU and acted on its own. Using an emergency safeguard clause under European food law, the French government suspended imports of foodstuffs containing residues of five crop protection substances: glufosinate, mancozeb, thiophanate-methyl, carbendazim, and benomyl. All five are banned in the EU, but remain registered in Canada. The order covers wheat, barley, oats, and rye, as well as soybeans. Officials framed the move as a matter of public health, but comments in a press release from France’s ministry of agriculture suggest trade competitiveness was also a factor. “The products we chase out the door, because of the substances with which they are treated, must not come back through the window,” said Annie Genevard, France’s minister of agriculture. Trade minister Serge Papin, who co-signed the order, called it an end to “a clear distortion of competition penalizing our farmers.” France has used this mechanism before. A 2016 order on dimethoate became continent-wide policy in 2021. A 2024 order targeting thiacloprid was adopted EU-wide in 2025. According to Véronique Le Bail, secretary general of the French Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Importers, the French government is now using the Council of State ruling to extend the same logic to all substances banned for agricultural use in France through legislation currently before parliament. Other member states are moving in the same direction, she said, and Poland has introduced a similar bill. The country’s fruit and vegetable import sector challenged the decree at the Conseil d’État, France’s highest administrative court. Importers argued the measure contravened European rules on the free movement of goods and had been taken without consultation. The European Food Safety Authority had already established MRL standards for the substances in question and had identified no new consumer safety concern. The Commission, after examining the same data as French authorities, had not deemed emergency action necessary. The court upheld the decree regardless. Despite high-profile inspections following the order, no seizures have occurred. “We fear a tightening of protectionist rules at the borders of the European Union and France, under the guise of protecting consumer health,” said Le Bail. WHICH PRODUCTS ARE AT RISK? A cross-reference of EU hazard classifications against crop protection products registered in Canada for use on corn, soybeans, wheat, and barley flags five substances that could fall within the omnibus criteria. One product stands out: glufosinate-ammonium, sold commercially as Liberty. The EU withdrew approval for glufosinate in 2018, classifying
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 15 MARKET DEVELOPMENT continued on page 16 it as a reproductive toxicant. It appears by name in the French decree, applied to soybeans. Under the omnibus criteria as currently drafted, it would meet the threshold for a zero MRL on imports. That does not mean the EU will act on it, but the mechanism is criteria-based, not substance-specific. It defines a ruleset, and any substance that meets the criteria falls within scope. Glufosinate is the active ingredient in the LibertyLink herbicide tolerance system, used in corn and soybeans bred to tolerate over-the-top broadcast application. It is a Group 10 herbicide, a mode of action that has become increasingly important as glyphosate-resistant waterhemp spreads across southwestern Ontario. “You just don’t want to lose tools,” said Mike Cowbrough, weed specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Especially when the next active ingredient is probably another five or six years away.” Cowbrough noted that alternatives, including 2,4-D and dicamba, remain available and effective against waterhemp, and that glufosinate’s current market penetration in Ontario has not yet reached critical mass. But he was direct about the market access implications of a zero MRL. “If it’s zero, you almost have to just ban the use outright if you want to have no risk of missing market access,” he said. Health Canada’s Pesticides Regulatory Directorate (PRD) has an active special review underway on glufosinate, adding domestic uncertainty to the trade pressure already building from Europe. At the EU level, the omnibus, as proposed, would embed the reciprocity approach in European law. A compromise text from the Council of the EU has already broadened the original proposal to include substances banned for groundwater risk or risk to pollinators. The European Parliament is expected to go further. “What might be a more limited list of active ingredients today could expand dramatically depending on the final legislative process,” said Emilie Bergeron, vice-president of CropLife Canada, who was in Geneva and Brussels in mid-July to meet with third-country delegations and EU officials on the file. CropLife Europe, which represents the crop protection industry before EU institutions, has raised concerns about the direction of the proposal. “Where existing assessments have not identified a consumer safety concern, any additional import restrictions should be carefully justified, proportionate, “We fear a tightening of protectionist rules at the borders of the European Union and France, under the guise of protecting consumer health. - Véronique Le Bail, secretary general of the French Chamber of Fruit and Vegetable Importers
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 16 MARKET DEVELOPMENT continued from page 15 and consistent with the EU’s international obligations under WTO/SPS rules,” said Anika Gatt Seretny, senior communications manager at CropLife Europe. “Our concern is that moving away from a predictable, risk-based system risks creating unnecessary uncertainty for operators, trading partners, and international supply chains.” The EU’s own feed sector shares that concern. The European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation, FEFAC, whose members depend on imported grain and oilseeds to produce the compound feed that sustains European livestock, has been engaging directly with members of the European Parliament on the file. “FEFAC is highly concerned about the potential impact on trade and on the EU food and feed security of the proposal allowing maximum residue limits of certain EU non-approved active substances to be set at the limit of quantification, merely based on their hazard profile,” said Alexander Döring, FEFAC’s secretary general. The federation is calling for a proportionate approach that considers the impact on trade in grains and oilseeds, and on food and feed supply chain resilience, given what Döring called the EU’s “acknowledged dependency on imported high-protein feed and cereals.” BASF Canada Agricultural Solutions supports maintaining the current MRL framework until the Commission’s own impact assessment is complete. “Access to a broad range of crop protection tools is important for Canadian growers, as they allow farmers to effectively manage production challenges while supporting resistance management and sustainable crop production,” said Tabetha Boot, head of communications and industry relations. That impact assessment is itself a concern. A study by the EU’s Joint Research Centre was promised before the summer break and has since slipped to September at the earliest. The omnibus is moving through the Council and Parliament regardless. “It’s very likely that they will go ahead with the legislative change without having seen a final impact assessment,” Bergeron said. “Having one after you’ve made your decision makes less sense than having one before.” WTO CHALLENGES GROW Canada was the first country to file a specific trade concern at the World Trade Organization’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary Committee, targeting the omnibus MRL provisions in March 2026. Nineteen countries have since raised concerns, including Japan and several African nations. The Commission’s response has been that it sees no compliance issue. The EU has lost WTO cases in agriculture before and declined to change course. Canadian beef producers have lived that reality for decades. Whether Canada would escalate to that level on pesticide MRLs remains an open question. What is not in question is that the criteria defining which substances fall within scope can expand, and that the legislative process is moving ahead of its own evidence base. The substances of concern today may not be the only ones that matter tomorrow. “The active ingredients that might be affected today based on the Commission’s proposal might be very different in six months,” Bergeron said. “And we also have to think about the impact in other markets that are following the EU in terms of aligning MRLs.” •
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 17 XXXXXXX Always read and follow label directions. Victrato® Complete is an on-seed application of Vayantis® IV RFC fungicide seed treatment and TYMIRIUM® technology fungicide/nematicide seed treatment. TYMIRIUM®, Vayantis®, Victrato®, the Alliance Frame, the Purpose Icon and the Syngenta logo are trademarks of a Syngenta Group Company. © 2026 Syngenta.
18 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS Ontario Grain Farmer Put agriculture on the municipal election agenda Grain farmers can help shape local decisions by asking candidates where they stand on rural infrastructure, land use, taxes, fees, and practical farm policies Municipal elections give grain farmers a chance to raise local issues that affect their businesses, from infrastructure and land use to taxes, fees, and environmental regulations. Ontario is holding municipal elections on October 26, 2026. As the election date approaches, grain farmers have an important opportunity to make sure agriculture remains a priority in their communities. Municipal governments may not set national trade policy or provincial farm programs, but they make many of the decisions that shape day-today farming. Local councils influence rural roads, bridges, drainage, landuse planning, stormwater fees, property taxation, conservation authority representation, source water protection, and regulations that affect farm operations. Those decisions matter to Ontario’s grain farmers, who depend on reliable infrastructure, practical policies, and a competitive business environment to grow crops, move equipment, reach markets, and continue contributing to rural communities. Agriculture is a major economic driver in rural Ontario, and municipal leaders need to understand how local decisions affect farm businesses. That’s why Grain Farmers of Ontario is encouraging farmer-members to speak with candidates, ask questions, and help ensure municipal policies recognize the importance of a strong and competitive agricultural sector. WHY MUNICIPAL DECISIONS MATTER Municipal issues can have a direct effect on farm businesses. Rural roads and bridges must be able to handle equipment and truck traffic. Drainage systems must support productive farmland and protect surrounding communities. Planning decisions must balance growth with the need to preserve agricultural land and avoid unnecessary conflicts between farms and non-farm development. Municipal taxes, stormwater fees, and local regulations also affect the cost of doing business. Agricultural land functions differently than urban and industrial properties, and policies need to reflect those differences. Fair, predictable, and practical rules help farm businesses invest, grow, and remain competitive. Environmental policies are another area where municipal leadership matters. Farmers are committed to protecting soil, water, and natural resources, but conservation authority policies, source water protection programs,
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER 19 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS FOUR PRIORITIES FOR MUNICIPAL LEADERS Grain Farmers of Ontario looks forward to working with municipal leaders who recognize agriculture as a cornerstone of Ontario’s future, because a strong agricultural sector means stronger local economies, more jobs, greater food security, and vibrant rural communities. Grain Farmers of Ontario has four priorities for municipal leaders: Protect rural infrastructure Reliable roads, bridges, drainage systems, ports, rail connections, and processing facilities are essential to moving crops, transporting equipment, and connecting farms to markets. Municipalities should continue investing in and protecting infrastructure that supports economic growth and keeps rural communities competitive. Keep agriculture competitive Agriculture competes in global markets, and local decisions should support business growth, investment, and innovation rather than create unnecessary costs and delays. Municipal policies should recognize agriculture as a strategic economic sector and consider the impact of planning, taxation, and regulatory decisions on farm businesses. Include farmers in local solutions Ontario farmers are environmental stewards who bring practical expertise to local decision-making. Municipal environmental policies should be science-based, practical, and developed in consultation with farmers. Source water protection programs, conservation authority policies, and local environmental regulations should achieve environmental objectives while recognizing the realities of modern agriculture and looking to provincial solutions wherever possible. Ensure fair taxes, fees, and regulations Municipal taxation, stormwater fees, and regulatory requirements should reflect the fact that agricultural land functions differently than urban and industrial properties. Municipalities should avoid unnecessary regulatory duplication and work collaboratively with farmers to develop fair, balanced, and predictable policies. and local environmental regulations need to be science-based, practical, and developed with farmer input. AGRICULTURE SUPPORTS ONTARIO COMMUNITIES Ontario’s grain and oilseed sector contributes approximately $27 billion annually to the provincial economy, supports more than 90,000 jobs, generates nearly $1 billion annually in municipal tax revenue, and produces food, feed, renewable fuels, and industrial products. When farms succeed, communities succeed. Strong farm businesses support local jobs, rural services, community organizations, and economic activity across Ontario. Municipal leaders who understand agriculture as a strategic economic sector are better positioned to make decisions that support long-term community resilience. ISSUES TO RAISE WITH CANDIDATES Speaking with municipal candidates does not need to be complicated. Farmers can start by asking whether candidates recognize agriculture as a key economic driver in the community, and how they will consider the impact of municipal decisions on farm businesses. Infrastructure is a key place to begin. Candidates should be asked whether they will support investment in rural roads, bridges, drainage systems, ports, processing facilities, rail connections, and other infrastructure that helps move crops, transport equipment, and connect farms to markets. Farmers can also ask how candidates will ensure stormwater fees are fair and recognize the unique nature of farmland, and whether they will support policies that avoid unnecessary costs, delays, and regulatory duplication. Representation matters, too. Candidates should understand the importance of including farmers on conservation authorities, municipal advisory committees, and in consultations related to source water protection and environmental initiatives. Practical farming expertise can help municipalities develop policies that achieve environmental objectives while recognizing the realities of modern agriculture. Finally, farmers should ask candidates whether they will support the ability of Ontario farmers to grow the crops needed to feed Ontario, Canada, and the world. MAKE AGRICULTURE PART OF THE CONVERSATION Municipal elections are an opportunity for farmers to make sure local leaders understand agriculture’s role in their communities. Attending all-candidates meetings, speaking with candidates, asking questions, and voting are practical ways to help keep agriculture on the municipal agenda. •
Grain ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GRAIN TALK 20 Your Grain Farmers of Ontario Team Here is our next installment of profiles of your Grain Farmers of Ontario staff to help introduce you to the team. Rachel Reeve Administrative Assistant Rachel Reeve joined Grain Farmers of Ontario in December 2025 as an Administrative Assistant, bringing a strong commitment to organization, collaboration, and member-focused support. In her role, Rachel supports departments across the organization by coordinating meetings, assisting with events and scheduling, tracking key information, and helping ensure day-to-day operations run smoothly. Known for her attention to detail and positive attitude, Rachel enjoys working behind the scenes to create seamless experiences for the Board of Directors, colleagues, committees, and farmer members. She thrives in a fast-paced environment and appreciates the opportunity to contribute to a variety of projects while continuously learning and growing professionally. What Rachel enjoys most about her work is supporting others, building relationships, and helping ensure details come together smoothly. She values being trusted with responsibility and takes pride in providing reliable support wherever it's needed. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring Ontario communities, baking, and staying involved in new experiences that encourage personal and professional growth. Applications open for 2027 Grains Innovation Fund Grain Farmers of Ontario is now accepting applications for the 2027 Grains Innovation Fund, which supports projects that create new market opportunities and increase demand for Ontario-grown grains and grain products. The Grains Innovation Fund provides grants of up to $75,000 per project, covering up to 60 per cent of eligible project costs. Through the fund, a total of $250,000 will be invested in projects in 2027. Ontario-grown barley, corn, oats, soybeans, and wheat are used to produce a wide range of food and beverage, feed, and bioproduct ingredients, including flour, starches, sweeteners, oils, proteins, pet kibble, and beverage alcohol. Companies that rely on these ingredients may be eligible for funding if their projects create new demand for Ontario-grown grains or grain products. The Grains Innovation Fund is seeking projects that will use a minimum of 40 metric tonnes annually of Ontario barley, corn, oats, soybeans, wheat, or associated crop residues and meet at least one of the following criteria: 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 residues; and/or increase the value, or premiums, of Ontario grains or grain residues. Interested companies are encouraged to contact Grain Farmers of Ontario at marketdev@gfo.ca to discuss whether the project fits the program criteria. Application deadline: November 6, 2026, at 4 p.m. EST For more information on the program and application details, please visit gfo.ca/grains-innovation-fund. Market Commentary by Philip Shaw It is a critical time of year in grain markets. In the July USDA report, U.S. corn production is estimated at 16 billion bushels, up from 15.995 billion bushels in June. This was based on a yield that remained at 183 bu./ac., with planted acreage at 95.3 million acres. The USDA is predicting the largest soybean crop in U.S. history. The estimate is 4.475 billion bushels, with a trendline yield estimate of 53 bu./ac. planted on 85.4 million acres. Will this crop get bigger or smaller as we move ahead? As of July 25, the Canadian dollar is fluttering around 71 cents U.S., which continues to add stimulus to Ontario cash grain prices. Ontario basis levels have been steady.
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