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.
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