GFO study seeks to explain price spikes Tuesday, May 17, 2011 by PAT CURRIEA new study released by the Grain Farmers of Ontario has concluded that neither farmers nor the diversion of grain into production of ethanol can be blamed for persisting higher food prices that do not mimic any cyclic fall after each rise in world grain prices.A comparison showed many similarities between the recent double price spike in 2008 and 2011 – when ethanol production boomed – and the double spike in 1974 and 1980, well before the ethanol industry was established. Common factors were crop failure in key production regions caused by extreme weather, high oil prices and price increases for agricultural inputs like fertilizer. Both double spikes were followed by several decades of declining real grain and food prices. "The truth is that farmers receive only about 19 per cent of the retail price of food," said GFO CEO Barry Senft.The impact of bio-fuels on world food prices in 2007, according to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, was no more than three per cent.In the 1970s and 1980, it was forecast that high food prices were permanent and that the world’s food-supplying capacity will have to increase by 70 per cent between 2000 and 2050, or about 1.1 per cent per year, just to keep pace.But in inflation-adjusted dollars, crop and food prices moved to new lows after 1980 as the world food supply grew at a rate that exceeded population growth, the study found. The GFO study noted that average world grain yield increased by 1.5 per cent per year from 1987 to 2007 and concluded that continued growth is achievable with modern agriculture. BF Ritz returns Research combines water, agriculture
Early Career Research Award supports two Guelph research initiatives Friday, July 4, 2025 The was presented to two University of Guelph researchers at the recently held Livestock Research Innovation Corporation (LRIC) symposium. Dr. Kelsey Spence received $40,000 towards her work in on-farm biosecurity research, and Dr. Sam Workenhe was awarded $60,000 to further his... Read this article online
Grape Growers 40th Annual Celebrity Luncheon has Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser Friday, July 4, 2025 The Grape Growers of Ontario’s marks the opening of the by showcasing Canadian personalities and celebrating the annual grape harvest. This year, in partnership with Meridian Credit Union, Ontario’s largest credit union and the third largest in Canada, the Grape Growers of Ontario... Read this article online
Ontario crops respond to summer heat Wednesday, July 2, 2025 According to the OMAFA Field Crop News team, Ontario field crops are showing rapid development as summer-like temperatures have dominated late June early July. The warm spell has accelerated growth and helped reduce the heat unit deficit from a cool spring. Corn fields have seen a burst... Read this article online
Canada’s Place in Global Food System Resilience Wednesday, July 2, 2025 Canada’s food system is facing serious pressure due to global supply chain issues, climate change, and rising food prices. According to a KPMG report, bold and united action is needed now to make Canada’s agriculture sector more resilient and self-reliant. With the global population... Read this article online
Calf Auction Raises Funds for Youth Monday, June 30, 2025 Wyatt Westman-Frijters from Milverton won a heifer calf named Ingrid through a World Milk Day promotion by Maplevue Farms and a local Perth, Ontario radio station. Instead of keeping the calf, 22-year-old Westman-Frijters chose to give back to the community. The calf was sent to the... Read this article online