AUGUST 2025 www.OntarioGrainFarmer.ca MARKET DEVELOPMENT OCTOBER 2026 From idea to opportunity Two Ontario businesses advance new uses for locally grown grains
26 Business side Conversations with business experts 17 Crop side Agronomic information from crop specialists OCTOBER 2026 volume 17, number 10 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 18 GrainTALK newsletter An update on Grain Farmers of Ontario news and events 34 Good in Every Grain Updates on our campaign From idea to opportunity. Ralph Pearce 6On the cover MARKET DEVELOPMENT 10 Putting crop disease ratings to the test Matt McIntosh 20 Oilseed producers call for practical solutions to global food and energy challenges 22 From Ontario fields to markets around the world Hayley Vinkovic AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 28 Grain Farmers of Ontario Independent Audit Report rlb Chartered Professional Accountants AGRONOMY 14 More than the bottom line Ralph Pearce 24 Beyond simple soil chemistry Matt McIntosh
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER FROM THE CEO’S DESK 4 From the CEO's desk As Ontario grain farmers head into another harvest, it is easy to focus on the work right in front of us: getting crops off, lining up delivery, and managing long days safely. And when those crops are harvested, one of the most important things a farmer can have is a willing buyer. That is why Grain Farmers of Ontario places a high priority on market development. It is closely tied to what happens on your farm. When we talk about developing markets, we are really talking about securing a place for Ontario grain where it is valued most, so the work you are doing this fall is backed by reliable demand. Our goal is to make sure Ontario grains are recognized for the value they bring to customers. That means positioning them as high-quality ingredients with specific characteristics that matter to buyers, such as functionality in milling and baking, consistency for feed and processing, and traits that meet the needs of end-users. Understanding what different buyers value, matching our production to those needs where we can, and doing the steady relationshipbuilding work that keeps Ontario grain on the short list when customers are making decisions are essential parts of our work. This market development work is also important to help weather trade fluctuations. In recent years, we have all watched headlines about tariffs, trade disputes, and shifting international relationships. The details change quickly, but the lesson is clear: free trade benefits farmers. Canada has spent many years negotiating and implementing free trade agreements, and those agreements open doors or provide more predictable access to key markets. We also see the costs when trade is disrupted — shipments are delayed, uncertainty grows, and prices can come under pressure. When trade flows freely and fairly, the effort farmers put into quality, and the work Grain Farmers of Ontario puts into customer relationships, can translate into real, long-term opportunity. Free trade and market development are not the same thing, but they depend on each other. Free trade creates the conditions that allow market development to work. After all, you can only grow and maintain a market if you are able to get grain there reliably. One of the ways Grain Farmers of Ontario turns trade agreements into real-world opportunity is by building direct relationships in key markets. Recently, we have continued working with markets such as Taiwan, Japan, and China by hosting delegations here, participating in visits abroad, and sharing those insights. For international visitors, trips to Ontario are a chance to see our production practices, ask hard questions, and build confidence in our grain. For us, they are a way to understand what those buyers will need from us in the years ahead, whether it is specific quality parameters, consistency of supply, or clear information on how we farm. We don’t do this alone. Grain Farmers of Ontario works with other Canadian organizations, exporters, and partners to present a strong, coordinated message about the value of Ontario and Canadian grain. Alongside the financials in this issue, I encourage you to take a look at Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Annual Report, available at www.gfo. ca/about-us. It is another way to see how your check-off dollars support the work we do on your behalf. As you move through harvest, that is the bigger picture behind each load leaving the farm. GFO’s commitment is to keep building and protecting the markets you depend on, so that the grain you grow has strong demand waiting on the other side. • Crosby Devitt, CEO, Grain Farmers of Ontario Market development and free trade are essential priorities for Grain Farmers of Ontario, connecting global customer relationships and trade access directly to farm-level demand.
Meet the next generation of Canadian agri-food leaders These exceptional students are the winners of the 2026 CABEF Scholarships. We are proud to support each of them with $2,500 for their ag-related post-secondary education. Help us empower more students to pursue diverse careers in agri-food. Strengthen the future of Canadian agriculture and food by investing in the cream of the crop. Become a Champion of CABEF and directly support a scholarship for a Canadian student. CABEF is a registered charity (#828593731RR0001). For more information on all registered charities in Canada under the Income Tax Act, please visit Canada Revenue Agency www.cra-arc.gc.ca/charities. Contact CABEF today to learn how you can become a “Champion of CABEF” at info@cabef.org Congratulations to this year’s CABEF scholarship recipients. @CABEFscholarship cabef.org WESTERN CANADA Max Burris Gunn, AB WESTERN CANADA Victoria Pitsiaeli Port Coquitlam, BC CENTRAL CANADA Gabriella Vecchio Bjorkdale, SK CENTRAL CANADA Tyson Griffin Darlingford, MB EASTERN CANADA Leah Hachler St. Mary’s, ON EASTERN CANADA Bayly Wilson Port Perry, ON EASTERN CANADA Alexis Desgranges Granby, QC
Ralph Pearce From idea to opportunity ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER COVER STORY 6 Two Ontario businesses advance new uses for locally grown grains Two Ontario businesses are using Grain Farmers of Ontario support to create new opportunities for local wheat and soybeans through specialty flour development and value-added processing.
continued on page 8 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER COVER STORY 7 Business development is an arduous road, despite the stereotypical “overnight success” narrative. Developing a successful, sustainable idea can take years, even more than a decade, to bring to market. This is why targeted support can help move promising ideas forward. The Grains Innovation Fund was created by Grain Farmers of Ontario to support visionaries and projects that create new and diverse market opportunities for Ontario grains and grain products. Five projects were awarded funding through the 2026 Grains Innovation Fund. This article highlights two of those recipients: 1847 Stone Milling, based near Fergus, and New Protein International, which has a demonstration lab in Benmiller and a commercial facility planned for Sarnia. 1847 STONE MILLING Founded in 2014, the company has grown into a consumer-driven retailer of quality flour. The 2026 Grains Innovation Fund has supported the development of Atta flour, made from Ontario organic hard red spring wheat, to be sold to local bakeries and restaurants, as well as outlets that market different flours directly to consumers. The idea to establish the Ontario-grown Atta market began after India banned exports of the product in 2023 in the wake of the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine. Atta flour is in high demand for making naan, chapati, and roti flatbreads. What sets 1847 Stone Milling’s flour apart is its milling process, as well as its organic production methods. “Conventionally milled flour tends to go through a roller mill, where the grains are heated,” says Melissa McKeown, who started 1847 Stone Milling with her brother, Trevor. “Because of the heating, they have to remove the germ to keep the flour shelf-stable. Since Atta flour is stone-milled, it’s kept cool, and the whole berry can remain intact within the flour.” The result is a finely textured, smooth product, one that’s preferred by a growing segment of consumers. McKeown adds that she understands India’s rationale for the export ban, and it helped convince her and her brother that it was time to create their own market sourced from Ontario grain farmers. “We contract with Ontario farmers to keep up with demand and to grow these special varieties that we’re looking for, which produce “The Grains Innovation Fund project is extremely important because it helps bridge the gap between successful pilot-scale production and commercial-scale deployment.” - Graham Markham Chief Development Officer, New Protein International flour that is as comparable as possible to Indian flour,” she says. “We have growers who are growing these grains for us and next year, there’ll be more.” As with most organic or contract crops, there is a premium paid for the effort. However, instead of a set incentive, the McKeowns work with each farmer to determine their specific needs to continue growing the organic wheat they need. “We know every year is not going to be the same, and all of our farm producers have always been fair,” says McKeown. “If some years they need a little more, that’s okay; we want to keep these connections and keep these farms going.” Photo: New Protein International
She also praises Grain Farmers of Ontario for its support. Building this venture required investing in work with Dr. Saeed M. Ghazani at the University of Guelph’s food science lab to determine colour, particle size, protein, and blending types needed to meet the traits and specifications of Atta flour. They also had to purchase an additional large stone mill to ensure the quality standards and traceability consumers want, which requires investment. “Being able to produce something like this is very important to us, and our farmers are very happy to be growing something they can see the outcome for,” says McKeown. “Our farmers take pride in knowing they can see where their grains are selling online and that they’re making a positive impact.” NEW PROTEIN INTERNATIONAL It’s a point of pride that Canadian farmers grow some of the highest-quality crops and ingredients in the world, and identity-preserved, non-GMO food-grade soybeans are one of those distinct hallmarks. It’s never been a question of “if” Canadian farmers are capable, but rather “how” they are processed here. This is the issue surrounding soy protein isolate, an ingredient used in a wide range of food products, from beverages to baked goods, dairy alternatives, and protein bars. The issue that confounds its production involves exports and imports: growers in Ontario and other provinces produce the soybeans, but they are shipped abroad for processing in other countries, then purchased and imported by Canadian food manufacturers. The loss of jobs, added value, and control of “homegrown” business was the incentive behind New Protein International’s (NPI) bid to build a fully scaled processing plant in Sarnia. The venture would eliminate exports of food-grade, non-GMO soybeans for processing, adding value and keeping jobs in Ontario and other parts of the country. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER COVER STORY 8 What also sets it apart is the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) extraction technology, replacing hexane, which is facing increased scrutiny from the European Union and other regulators around the world. Awards from the Grains Innovation Fund have helped with the installation of additional processing equipment, generation of proprietary data, feedback from end-users, and risk reduction. It has been a lengthy process, starting with the demonstration plant in Benmiller and meetings with investors to push forward with a fully scaled facility. The latest news is that construction is expected to begin late in 2027, with commercial operations targeted for 2030. Once in full operation, the plant will use 70,000 tonnes of Ontario soybeans annually, processing more than 17,000 tonnes of soy protein isolate. “The Grains Innovation Fund project is extremely important because it helps bridge the gap between successful pilotscale production and commercial-scale deployment,” says Graham Markham, NPI’s Chief Development Officer. “Every successful production campaign at our demonstration facility increases confidence among customers, investors, lenders, governments, and industry partners.” Although the immediate goal is to get the protein isolate plant up and running, longer term, it is expected to create demand for proteins, oils, fibres, and other components from several plant-based crops. “One of the attractive aspects of building advanced ingredient-processing capacity is that it creates a foundation for future innovation and diversification,” says Markham. “We can produce products that the world wants and get feedback on the process and the product itself.” And yet the funding aspect was both an opportunity to be explored and an impediment to moving forward. But Markham credits federal officials with realizing that New Protein International has a pilot-scale plant to refine its hexane-free process. The company expects to start building a full-scale soybean processing plant in 2027. Photo: New Protein International continued from page 7
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER COVER STORY 9 SIZE MATTERS. Pioneer® brand corn delivers unmatched yield, performance, and standability, powered by advanced genetics, rigorous local testing, and local experts who know your fields like their own. Canada’s #1 corn brand. We set the bar. Pioneer.com/BestInCorn ™ ® Trademarks of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., and its affiliated companies. © 2026 Pioneer Hi-Bred. 26PHBC5895 Canadian businesses should not be importing food ingredients made from Canadian-grown crops. It is not a friend-or-foe issue, but a matter of common sense: if we can grow it here, why not process it and keep the jobs and the value, particularly by shipping the finished products abroad instead of buying them back from other countries? “Our commercialization efforts have identified opportunities across domestic and international markets, including North America, Europe, and Asia,” adds Markham. “The key message is that Ontario farmers are producing some of the best food-grade soybeans in the world. And we have an opportunity to capture much more of the value associated with those crops, right here in Ontario.” • Grain Farmers of Ontario toured New Protein International’s pilot-scale facility in Benmiller. Photo: New Protein International
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 10 Matt McIntosh Putting crop disease ratings to the test Corn and soybean trials use local disease pressure to measure variety tolerance and management tools Research plots in West Elgin help turn crop disease challenges into practical information for Ontario growers, seed companies, and breeders. Photo: Matt McIntosh
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 11 continued on page 12 Although dark skies were building over much of southwestern Ontario on the afternoon of September 3, the mood on the ground in a pair of West Elgin fields was far more optimistic. In these fields — one planted with corn and the other with soybeans — Albert Tenuta, field crop pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), and his team study how crop varieties perform when exposed to local disease pressure, and how different management tools affect those results. The goal is to verify whether the tolerance characteristics promoted in corn and soybean varieties hold up under southwestern Ontario growing conditions, a message Tenuta shared clearly with the visiting farmers as storm clouds gathered overhead. LOCAL PRESSURE, RELIABLE DATA Tenuta is the first to admit he delights in seeing diseased crops. Diseased crops, after all, mean data, and that data helps inform future disease management. The reason for partnering with growers in the two West Elgin fields is the consistency in disease pressure the sites provide, particularly for soybean cyst nematode (SCN) and root rots in soybeans, and tar spot in corn. “When we put crops in a field with good, even disease pressure, we get good results,” says Tenuta, in this case referring specifically to high SCN pressure. He later generates a chorus of laughter by saying, “There is excellent disease pressure here. I love it.” The value of generating good local data is twofold: first, so farmers in southwestern Ontario know the varieties they are purchasing work as advertised, and second, so corn and soybean breeders can improve their breeding programs. The research plots also serve as a means of benchmarking yield potential. Tenuta and his team work extensively with both public and private breeders, with a wide array of corn and soybean varieties undergoing analysis each year. “Whether it’s public breeding or private breeding, it all starts here,” Tenuta says. SOYBEAN DISEASE PRESSURE Generalities aside, the September 3 event covered the specifics of Tenuta’s ongoing disease research program and provided an overview of useful best management practices in disease management. SCN populations in Tenuta’s soybean research area are estimated to range between 2,000 and 5,000 eggs. Despite this, Horst Bohner, soybean specialist with the ministry and one of the attendees, says it is possible for varieties with good SCN tolerance to achieve full yield potential, as high as 100 bushels per acre in some cases, if “everything else lines up.” This assessment was anecdotally confirmed by a representative from Devolder Farms in Chatham, who said they had achieved a fairly uniform 98-bushel crop in one field in recent years. Tenuta reiterated that local environments “can react differently” to soybean varieties, and for this reason, a lot of the SCN tolerance ratings in local seed guides use data from his team’s research. He also encouraged attendees to actively monitor for the presence of SCN, particularly if they are experiencing mysterious yield losses. To check for SCN, growers must dig, not pull, soybean plants to examine roots. Pulling plants, he explains, leaves nematode eggs in the ground and misconstrues SCN assessments. Albert Tenuta, field crop pathologist with OMAFA, showed growers how to count SCN populations in the field (left) and examples of red crown rot (above) at a recent event in West Elgin. Photo: Matt McIntosh
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 12 Tenuta also touched on red crown rot, a pathogen identifiable by reddish discolouration on lower stems just above the soil, and one that can sometimes produce symptoms very similar to a variety of other common soybean diseases. Red crown rot has not yet been confirmed in Ontario, but it is spreading from the Midwest into states bordering the Great Lakes. Like SCN, red crown rot spreads primarily through the movement of soil on equipment. For this reason, he says anyone “buying equipment from Iowa or Illinois” should “make sure it’s clean.” A novelty for 2026 was highlighted as well: the first trials outside of the United States of a soybean with Bt-based SCN resistance. A Bt soybean is something Tenuta says he “was promised 35 years ago” at the start of his career and will be another source of SCN resistance growers can layer into their cropping plans. “We have nothing that is totally resistant to SCN. It’s a numbers game,” Tenuta says. TAR SPOT —SEASON SIX In Tenuta’s corn research plots, the attending crowd wove between rows of hybrids with varying degrees of tar spot damage. With the arrival of tar spot in southern Ontario in 2020, Tenuta decided it would be useful to test for the pathogen at West Elgin in 2021. This turned out to be a prudent move. “Damn, 2021 was a good tar spot year,” says Tenuta, again spurring many chuckles. Since then, a lot has been learned about tar spot management, including the susceptibility of different corn hybrids and in-season control. Regarding the latter, it was discovered that fungicide application timing for tar spot fit well with pre-existing timing strategies for controlling Gibberella and DON. “We’ve had an 80- to 90-bushel yield response with some experimental tools,” says Tenuta. “There are new things coming down the pipe, new fungicides and formulations.” “We do a lot of experimental work before things are registered.” Now well into the sixth season of researching tar spot, Tenuta and his team walk and assess its development in their corn research plots every one to two weeks. His advice for growers is to choose hybrids by balancing yield and other agronomic needs with tar spot resistance ratings, and to “always ask the seed companies for their tar spot rating and where they do their testing.” If those ratings come from West Elgin research data, they can expect as-advertised performance. • continued from page 11 “When we put crops in a field with good, even disease pressure, we get good results. - Albert Tenuta Field Crop Pathologist, OMAFA Tenuta advises growers to choose hybrids by balancing yield and other agronomic needs with tar spot resistance ratings.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT 13 March 23, 2027 | Niagara Falls Convention Centre Jeremy Hansen Artemis II Astronaut Nikolas Badminton Futurist and author Dr. Jody Carrington Human Connection Expert Yan Markson Professional Mentalist and Pragmatic Optimist Ambassador Kirsten Hillman Former Ambassador of Canada to the United States For more information please visit gfo.ca/march-classic
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 14 Ralph Pearce More than the bottom line Higher input costs and global volatility are reshaping how farmers measure risk, returns, and long-term business decisions As costs climb and markets send mixed signals, farmers are looking more closely at the numbers behind each acre.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 15 Agriculture is an industry of familiar refrains: producing more with less, navigating more volatile markets, and farming in a less-forgiving environment. Clichés aside, those phrases reflect a real shift. Advisors, economists, and extension personnel are increasingly pointing to cost-of-production (CoP) calculations as a critical tool for understanding risk, returns, and long-term decision-making. Tracking CoP factors is challenging enough, with seed, fertilizer, and fuel costs, weather-related decisions on planting, and weed, disease, and pest management concerns. And those are the common on-farm factors. Add the effects beyond growers’ control, such as tariffs, conflicts in Ukraine and Iran, and the uncertainties of global trade, and the need for a better understanding of the aspects that can be controlled increases. It’s not that CoP hasn’t always been important; it’s that the variables in the equation, and the value each grower assigns to them, have grown in number and complexity. It can also be hindered by good years, when complacency can seep into decision-making, countered by the optimism of farmers hoping they can grow themselves out of tough times. For Dr. Al Mussell, the “less-forgiving environment” picture is a reflection of Canadian agriculture’s rise in economic value. The industry recently surpassed $100 billion in farm cash receipts and $1 trillion in farm assets. “Producers have much more in terms of dollars at risk and assets in play that affect risk,” says Mussell, research lead with Agri-Food Economic Systems. “Some farmers are fairly leveraged relative to those dollars at risk, and we have new sources of risk — geopolitics affecting agricultural input and output markets, embargoes, and market disintegration.” Mussell likens the current volatility to the early 1970s, with an OPEC-driven energy crisis, a food crisis caused by the “Russian Grain Robbery,” the U.S. moving off the gold standard, and the Arab oil embargo against the U.S. It took nearly a decade to recover from those influences, slowed and punctuated by interest rate hikes that are unthinkable now. That’s actually a benefit within today’s agricultural climate: lower interest rates have made money easier to borrow, but such a trend is unlikely to continue, and Mussell is concerned about how that could affect some growers. Fixed and variable costs become harder to manage, especially when corn can cost up to $1,000 an acre for planting alone. MIXED SIGNALS Another change Mussell cites is how markets tend to default to blaming “the funds” for unknown effects on stocks and pricing. Mid-summer weather in the U.S. Great Plains and Europe should have driven corn and wheat prices higher, yet many in the market were saying, “stocks are too high.” Speaking with colleagues in the U.S., Mussell learned that perceptions about stocks have less of an impact compared with years past. “The old benchmark has changed; you have to look at it in terms of stocks-to-use,” says Mussell, suggesting some in the trade are over-reliant on information that’s close at hand, including “very high” stocks. “Every time we can’t explain what’s going on with the markets, it’s ‘the funds’.” WHERE TO CUT, WHERE TO INVEST The immediacy of a growing season takes priority, and how the markets develop and react falls behind decisions on seeding and fertility rates, at least in the spring. Colin Elgie has been getting more questions about fertilizer applications, especially with the same rates as previous years running 30 to 50 per cent higher in cost in 2026. The question becomes: where can I cut back? “There’s a risk to under-applying, but there’s also a risk to over-applying,” says Elgie, field crop soil fertility specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA). “With the price of fertilizers, over-application is a riskier thing now than it was two or three years ago. At best, it is simply building up those levels.” - Colin Elgie Field Crop Soil Fertility Specialist, OMAFA continued on page 16
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 16 continued from page 15 “They might only soil test if there’s a visual problem they’re trying to diagnose,” says Legg, agronomist and manager of business development for SGS Canada Inc. “In the middle of these two is the most likely to soil sample — a farm with hundreds to a few thousand acres — managing each field to maximize returns. Sampling a third of the acres each year is a good strategy to keep soil testing current and spread the cost over every year.” He believes that in spite of the rationale against testing, the practice is increasing, influenced not only by the rising cost of inputs but also by the future uncertainty of what those costs might be in a new, and less-stable, global economic environment. He also sees a difference in comfort levels with soil testing among the next generation of farmers, who tend to be more adept with technology, tools, and the use of data. “That’s helping farms make business plans that understand the cost of production,” says Legg. “The younger farmer has the advantage of data collection and software to capture and record this information, and help with decision-making. Understanding soil fertility is just a piece of the puzzle, but it’s an essential piece.” • “With the price of fertilizers, over-application is a riskier thing now than it was two or three years ago. At best, it is simply building up those levels.” However, doing that without a soil test can be the difference between building fertility and losing it. To help improve part of that process, the ministry is working to update soil fertility recommendations, particularly for phosphorus and potassium. Along with micronutrients, those are investments with more than a single-year payback. “It’s one thing we’re working on, and when we have updated recommendations, that should bring a bit more confidence in knowing what those soil test values mean and having them line up with an expected return and response,” says Elgie. He acknowledges that some growers are reluctant to test regularly, due in part to the cost, but also because many find it challenging to read the soil test results. Elgie knows there are growers who pay to have a field tested, yet once the results are returned, they often opt for what they’ve done in previous years. “If you’re a farmer who’s wary about soil testing because you don’t understand it, you don’t have to,” he says. “There are a ton of good, certified crop advisers and agronomists who read these tests all the time. They understand them and can help with fertilizer recommendations and plans.” THE SOIL TEST QUOTIENT If there’s a benefit to higher operating costs and more growers “sharpening their pencils,” it’s that more are seeing the value of regularly testing their fields. Nearly 20 years ago, anecdotal evidence cited 20 to 25 per cent of growers sampling a field once every three years. According to some estimates today, that number has crossed the 40 per cent threshold; however, different scenarios affect that rate, as well. Jack Legg sees both ends of the spectrum, where a septuagenarian farmer with one or two smaller farms may defer soil testing and continue farming the same way, producing enough to live comfortably. At the other end is the larger-scale operation with thousands of acres to manage, which may also default to applying a flat-rate fertilizer to every field. “Producers have much more in terms of dollars at risk and assets in play that affect risk. - Al Mussell, Research Lead Agri-Food Economic Systems
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER CROP SIDE 17 The amount of rainfall that makes its way into soil, instead of running off, matters. In the fall and spring, it can mean the difference between intact topsoil and a washout. In a dry summer, extra rain captured from a thunderstorm helps maintain crop yield potential. Same soil type, different water infiltration At a recent Southwest Crop Diagnostic Days session in Ridgetown, I demonstrated the impact soil management has on water infiltration. Four clay loam soils — an undisturbed fencerow, an alfalfa field with regular manure application, and two plots from the long-term crop rotation and tillage system trial — showed drastic differences in water infiltration rates. Table 1 shows how the fencerow soil absorbed water rapidly, while the continuous soybean soil was painstakingly slow, demonstrating its potential for both runoff and ponding (Figure 1). Rainfall needs somewhere to go Differences in soil structure and porosity explained these results. The fencerow soil showed small, rounded aggregates with many air spaces, or pores, while the soils with minimal tillage and alfalfa or wheat in rotation had medium-sized aggregates with plenty of pore space and roots throughout. The more pore space there is, the faster water can enter the soil and move downward. The plowed, continuous soybean topsoil was made up of large blocks with sharp edges and few pores. When it comes to heavy rain, infiltration rate is largely determined by macropores, especially in finer-textured soils. These large pores, which include old root channels and earthworm burrows (Figure 2), make up a small percentage of all soil pore space but transmit water rapidly into the soil when rainfall is intense. Both the fencerow and the alfalfa- and wheat-based rotation soils had evidence of more macropores than the soil managed with continuous soybeans. Are your soils ready for big rains? Jake Munroe Crop side with... Jake Munroe, Soil Management Specialist — Field Crops, OMAFA Figure 1. Very slow water infiltration using a PVC ring in soil managed with fall plowing and continuous soybeans. Figure 2. The opening of a nightcrawler burrow. Management practices that help Including perennial forages and small grains, and applying organic amendments, are effective ways to improve soil structure and boost soil macropores to increase water infiltration. Tillage practices that retain more residue cover and work the soil less aggressively are key to slowing water down and keeping macropores intact. Consider techniques you can use with your existing equipment, such as shallower or fewer passes, to enhance soil cover, build macropores, and ready your farm for big rains. For a video summary of the Southwest Crop Diagnostic Days session from Ridgetown, watch Season 6 of Real Agriculture’s soil school on YouTube. • Table 1. Water infiltration times for four soils under contrasting management Management history Time (first inch) Time (second inch) Fencerow 7 seconds 8 seconds Alfalfa 36 seconds 1 minute 12 seconds Corn-soy-wheat (red clover) – no-till/strip-till 25 seconds 1 minute 11 seconds Continuous soybeans – fall plow tillage 6 minutes 30 seconds >20 minutes
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER GRAIN TALK 18 Grain Registration open for Women’s Grain Symposium Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Women’s Grain Symposium is an opportunity for networking, professional development, and leadership development. The Women’s Grain Symposium is open to women who are grain farmers, active members of their family grain operation, or work within the grain sector of agriculture business with a direct connection to farmers. The event takes place December 8 and 9 at the Crowne Plaza Kitchener. The cost is $150, and hotel accommodation is included for grain farmers. Professional childcare services (provided by All About Kids) are being offered free of charge during the event, thanks to support from Agriculture Wellness Ontario. To register, visit https://gfo.ca/womens-grain-symposium Showcasing Ontario soybean production to Japan In August, Grain Farmers of Ontario arranged a soybean farm tour for the Deputy Head of Mission and First Secretary (Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) from the embassy of Japan in Canada. The delegation was welcomed onto District 14 member Bruce Hudson’s family farm, Panmure Farms, in Kinburn. The visit provided an opportunity to showcase the role Ontario farmers play in supplying high-quality soybeans for export to Japan, and support further strengthening of our trade relationship. Grain Farmers of Ontario Connects with Municipal Leaders at AMO 2026 Grain Farmers of Ontario attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 2026 Annual Conference in Ottawa, held August 16–19. The conference brought together municipal leaders from across the province to discuss key issues facing Ontario communities. GFO’s participation provided an opportunity to connect with municipal representatives, build relationships, and highlight the important role Ontario’s grain farmers play in supporting rural communities and the provincial economy. Grain Farmers of Ontario attended the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) 2026 Annual Conference in Ottawa, held August 16–19.
GRAIN TALK 19 ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER Lambton County votes down rezoning proposal near Cargill Sarnia terminal Last month, Grain Farmers of Ontario Vice-Chair Julie Maw presented to Lambton County Council a compelling case for the value and importance of the Cargill Sarnia Grain Terminal to grain farmers in the region and across Ontario, and the need to protect this facility for generations to come. Following her presentation and others, Lambton County Council voted against the proposed rezoning of land near the terminal, which would have allowed for the construction of a 14-storey residential building within 100 metres of the terminal. This is one of three properties around the Cargill terminal that are currently being considered for development. Grain Farmers of Ontario is hopeful this vote by Lambton County Council will strengthen Cargill’s case for a Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO) that would protect the terminal from further incompatible development around the facility. Grain Farmers of Ontario welcomes Alco Energy Grain Farmers of Ontario hosted Alco Energy to discuss Ontario corn production, sustainability, and emerging market opportunities, including potential demand from European processors seeking alternative corn supplies. Alco highlighted Grain Farmers of Ontario as a strong partner in connecting Ontario farmers with evolving market opportunities and providing key insight on farming production practices for domestic and international customers. Ben Rosser, corn specialist with OMAFA, also joined the discussion to provide insight into the 2026 growing year. Sam Oosterhoff appointed new Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness In a cabinet shuffle last month, Ontario Premier Doug Ford has appointed Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West, as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. Oosterhoff replaces Trevor Jones, who has been appointed Ontario's new Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. Grain Farmers of Ontario thanks Minister Jones for his service and looks forward to working with Minister Oosterhoff to advance the issues and priorities that matter to Ontario’s grain farmers. • Attention cereal rye growers Do you grow and harvest cereal rye in Ontario? Register to stay informed and help shape the future of cereal rye opportunities. Your registration will ensure you receive updates and have the opportunity to provide input as Grain Farmers of Ontario explores expanding its mandate to include cereal rye. Register here: www.gfo.ca/cereal-rye-growers
Oilseed producers call for practical solutions to global food and energy challenges Resolution of the International Oilseed Producers Dialogue XXVIII The dialogue highlights the need for science-based regulations, open trade, and policies that support sustainable food, feed, and fuel production. 20 Grain Farmers of Ontario and the Canadian Canola Growers Association co-hosted the 2026 International Oilseed Producers Dialogue (IOPD) in Niagara Falls, Ontario, this past June. The IOPD is an annual global forum where representatives from major oilseed-producing nations, including Canada, the United States, Brazil, Australia, and European countries, gather to address the agricultural industry's most pressing challenges. Despite being competitors, these national farmer associations collaborate to find shared solutions for universal issues such as extreme weather, fluctuating fertilizer costs, and pest management. The IOPD advocates for science-based regulations, open borders, and fair trade practices. The formal resolutions established at these meetings serve as key benchmarks for national governments and international bodies like the World Trade Organization when drafting trade laws and agricultural policies. The following is the resolution from the International Oilseed Producers Dialogue XXVIII, released on August 25, 2026: Members of the International Oilseed Producers Dialogue (IOPD) XXVIII collectively represent more than one million oilseed farmers growing over 70 per cent of the world’s soybeans and 40 per cent of global canola/ rapeseed production. They are responsible for over 75 per cent of the global exports of canola/rapeseed and up to 90 per cent of world soybean exports. Members of IOPD XXVIII call on decision-makers to promote greater dialogue and more unity when considering solutions to the world’s energy (food, feed and fuel) security challenges. The world’s oilseed producers are ready to step up and co-create a more healthy, sustainable, and economically prosperous world. To achieve these shared goals, we need practical solutions that acknowledge our shared priorities: 1. That realistic regulations, which are based on science and risk, recognize local conditions and acknowledge trade-offs are vital to efficient and sustainable food production. 2. That regulations should enable innovation and provide access to reasonably priced critical crop inputs that support food systems, making them more efficient, resilient, and sustainable in the face of global challenges such as rising food prices. This should recognize that there are diverse environments, climates and resource conditions around the world and farmers use the best technologies available. Sustainability metrics should be based on outcomes rather than practices, and consider the regional differences and unique growing conditions across production systems. 3. That predictable market access and clear rules are essential to achieving food security through supporting open trade, with adherence to multilateral rules-based trading systems. We call on governments around the world to ensure fair trade free from tariff and non-tariff barriers for the oilseeds we grow, and the critical inputs oilseed farmers need to produce food, feed, and fuel. 4. That policies recognize biofuels derived from oilseeds as an essential tool for global decarbonization, promoting low-carbon and low-emissions renewable energy, strengthening energy security without compromising economic productivity and food or feed supplies. To mobilize biomass potential, policy frameworks should be grounded in sound science rather than unproven theoretical models, with clear, practical compliance processes introduced to combat fraudulent feedstocks. 5. That our food systems support the role that vegetable proteins and oils play in human and animal diets as they help to combat nutritional deficiencies and promote human health. 6. That sustainability policies recognize the essential social contribution of oilseed ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT 21 farmers, acknowledging their vital role in sustaining rural livelihoods, creating jobs and income, strengthening local communities, and promoting economic inclusion. Sustainable agriculture depends on balancing environmental, social, and economic pillars, ensuring resilient rural communities while contributing to global food, feed, and energy security. Oilseed producers around the world are committed to growing sustainable crops in harmony with the environment and our communities. We are providing solutions to global food and energy insecurities, all while ensuring that family farms remain economically viable for current and future generations. Farmers and their communities are on the front lines of adaptation and are committed to managing resources and delivering economic, social, and environmental sustainability. We are reliable partners in addressing these challenges and opportunities. IOPD XXVIII Signatories • American Soybean Association (ASA) – United States • Associação dos Produtores de Soja e Milho de Mato Grosso (Aprosoja Mato Grosso) – Brazil • Australian Oilseeds Federation (AOF) – Australia • Cámara Paraguaya de Exportadores y Comercializadores de Cereales y Oleaginosas (CAPECO) - Paraguay • Canadian Canola Growers Association (CCGA) – Canada • Fédération française des producteurs d'oléagineux et de protéagineux (FOP) – France • Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) – Canada • Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen (UFOP) – Germany • U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) – United States • Harvest stronger.
ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT 22 Hayley Vinkovic From Ontario fields to markets around the world Where do Ontario grains go? From feed and food processing to export markets around the world, Ontario-grown corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and oats support domestic industries and international demand. Every year, Ontario farmers produce millions of tonnes of grain, but once it leaves the farm, where does it actually go? The answer could be just down the road, or halfway around the world. Grain Farmers of Ontario recently took a closer look at that journey, which provides a clearer picture of the domestic and international markets that rely on Ontario grain. Drawing on information and data from Statistics Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, the report is also informed by data from, and interviews with, key stakeholders and industry experts. It follows Ontario-grown corn, soybeans, wheat, barley, and oats beyond the farm gate to better understand who is buying them, how they are being used, and where opportunities may be emerging. Take a look at how Ontario grains are used: CORN Corn, Ontario’s largest crop by volume, largely stays close to home. About 89 per cent of demand is within Ontario, where corn supports a range of industries. Animal feed is the largest user, accounting for approximately 40 per cent of demand, while ethanol and distillers’ grains represent another 34 per cent. Food processing also provides an important market. Ontario corn also heads across the border to the United States and across the Atlantic to markets such as Ireland, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Corn: Most Ontario corn stays domestic, supporting feed, ethanol, and food markets. Source: Grain Farmers of Ontario, Ontario’s Grain Markets report
SOYBEANS Soybeans tell a different story. More than half of Ontario soybean demand comes from export markets. Commodity soybeans move into markets such as Belgium and Italy, while Ontario’s food-grade soybean industry connects farmers with customers across Asia. Countries including Japan, China, Indonesia, and Vietnam purchase Ontario soybeans for products such as tofu, soy milk, miso, and natto. WHEAT Ontario wheat also has a foot in both domestic and international markets. Approximately 54 per cent of demand is domestic, including milling and animal feed, while the remaining 46 per cent moves outside the province. The United States is the top destination, but Ontario wheat also finds a home in markets including Mexico, Nigeria, and Brazil. BARLEY AND OATS Ontario’s barley and oat crops fill important niches as well. Barley is predominantly used within the province, particularly for livestock feed, while oats serve both domestic customers and export markets, led by the United States. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER MARKET DEVELOPMENT 23 Together, these markets demonstrate how connected Ontario farms are to the broader economy. Grain grown in the province may end up feeding livestock down the road, supplying an Ontario processing facility, or becoming an ingredient in a food product thousands of kilometres away. Knowing where Ontario grain goes provides a better understanding of who is buying it, how they are using it, and where demand is headed. That insight helps identify new opportunities, strengthen existing markets, and keep Ontario grain moving, whether it is down the road or around the world. Hayley Vinkovic is Grain Farmers of Ontario’s Market Analysis Specialist. Ontario’s Grain Markets report is available at gfo. ca/ontario-grain-production-and-utilization • Wheat: Ontario wheat serves milling, feed, and export markets around the world. Soybeans: Ontario soybeans reach both food-grade export markets and domestic crush demand.
Soil is complex. Agronomists and farmers say it often, but do production decisions always reflect that reality? Not as much as they could, according to NaturAll Solutions Inc., an agricultural consulting firm based in Shakespeare. Its team argues that reframing production decisions to better account for soil complexity could improve yields and save money at the same time. The argument was made during an Ontario Soil Network event held August 26 near Hamilton at the farm of Gordon Alblas. The event allowed growers to discuss factors affecting nutrient availability, planter setup, and other production considerations. Representatives from NaturAll covered how growers can assess and understand what soil is holding, including minerals critical to soil function, and what supporting soil biology looks like in practice. Alblas and other neighbouring farmers also discussed their use of biological compost extracts. A broader theme emerged throughout the day: how can farmers keep more money on the farm and out of agricultural retailers' hands? THE SOIL-GEOLOGY CONNECTION John Slack, a geologist by trade who previously operated an organic sheep farm, was the first to speak. Now an agromineral specialist with NaturAll, Slack identified soils’ interaction with the geology from which they formed as a key way to understand how soils function. “Geology used to be an important part of agronomy education. Before an agronomist went into the actual specifics of growing a crop and the relationship between the plant and the soil, they had to study geology. I’d say in the 1950s and 1960s, that part of agronomy education ended. I always thought we were leaving out a major understanding of our soils by not studying them,” says Slack. A better understanding of soil complexity could help farmers improve yields, reduce input dependence, and keep more value on the farm. ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER AGRONOMY 24 Matt McIntosh Beyond simple soil chemistry Looking below the surface could change how growers assess fertility decisions “What we know today in geoscience is that the relationship between geology and life, the biosphere, is interconnected.” Slack says the underlying geological properties of a given area influence the composition of the soil above it. Much of Ontario’s farmland, for example, has soils formed from high beds of calcium carbonate, meaning they are naturally high in trace elements. Trace elements and other physical characteristics of soil matter because they can affect the chemical and biological properties required for plant growth, including the availability of nitrogen. A better understanding of underlying geology also helps inform understanding of root systems. Pointing to century-old research conducted by John Weaver, a botanist and prairie ecologist who studied wild grasses and grass crops at the University of Nebraska, Slack argues that the composition of the subsoil and parent material is underrated in its influence on root development and nutrient extraction. Analyzing deep soil layers can paint a clearer picture of what nutrients may be available in a given area, better informing management decisions. Standard soil testing, he says, “evaluates relationships and patterns at the level of chemistry. If we aren’t thinking about soil complexity, we will never achieve optimal efficiency.” A “BEAUTIFULLY COMPLEX” SYSTEM Several attendees shared examples of complexity they have observed in the field. Host farmer Gordon Alblas pointed to reduced nitrogen rate trials in his 2026 corn crop, where plant and cob development did not follow a linear response based on nitrogen rate. Spencer Zehr, a farmer and co-founder of NaturAll, says such results indicate how much nutrition already exists in the soil. In his consultancy
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