Unified voice means more impact Thursday, November 12, 2009 by BRIAN LOCKHARTThe newly formed Grain Farmers of Ontario expects to be a player of influence in both Ontario’s and Canada’s agricultural scene.But the organization with the big voice is going to have to wait a little longer before it can officially speak. The provincial government has yet to formalize the merger of the Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board, Ontario Soybean Growers, and the Ontario Corn Producers Association.“There are three sets of regulations that need to be passed,” explains Barry Senft, Grain Farmers’ CEO, “and those are scheduled for early December so we’re now targeting January 1, to have the formalization.”In the meantime, the three organizations are still in existence and, along with the Grain Farmers, occupy the same building in Guelph.The original organizations have retained their boards of directors. “At the same time we're moving and hiring people in the GFO model,” Senft says. “Some new hires that we're taking on are all under the new GFO model. But when it comes down to responsibility, it’s still to those respective three commodity organizations.”Financing the new model is a shared responsibility between the three existing associations."We're getting our licensing revenues from the three commodities, Senft notes, adding “right from the onset” the organizations financed the transitional costs. Senft says the Grain Farmers’ unified voice for Ontario’s grains and oilseeds sector will have a “significant” impact beyond provincial boundaries. “Nationally already, we are being asked for opinion on policy initiatives,” he says.It is also preparing to play a key role in agronomics and applied agriculture research to help growers to diversify their markets.“Given all the market access issues these days, diversification of your markets is very important.” Senft says. “You need organizations like GFO to be looking out more than just two or three years on these research initiatives.”A board of 15 directors representing 15 districts across the province will govern the organization.The GFO will represent 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat farmers across Ontario. BF More delays for DFO transfer assessment hearing New Ontario Animal Health Act looms
From Plows to Plates - The 2025 International Plowing Match Returns to Niagara Friday, September 12, 2025 For the first time since 1926, the International Plowing Match & Rural Expo (IPM) is returning to the Niagara Region Setpember 16 to 20. Set to take place in West Lincoln, the 106th edition of this iconic event will run under the theme “,” celebrating the deep roots and fresh flavours of... Read this article online
Festival of Guest Nations returns to Leamington Friday, September 12, 2025 On Sunday, September 14, 2025, Seacliff Park in Leamington, Ontario, will come alive with music, food, and celebration as the Festival of Guest Nations returns to honour the migrant worker communities who play a vital role in Essex County’s agricultural economy. With more than 20 years... Read this article online
York Region launching new Agri-Food Startup Program Thursday, September 11, 2025 A new program in York Region is designed to help entrepreneurs find their footing in the food space. The 14-week hybrid Agri-Food Start-up Program partners entrepreneurs with local organizations like the Foodpreneur Lab, Syzl, York Region Food Network, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island... Read this article online
Corn and Soybean Diseases Spread This Season Wednesday, September 10, 2025 As reported on the OMAFRA website fieldcropnews.com, as well as in previous articles by Farms.com, the 2025 growing season is nearing its end with corn and soybean farmers in Ontario and the U.S. Corn Belt facing disease challenges that reflect changing weather conditions. For corn, two... Read this article online
Wheat Output Decline Projected for 2025 Wednesday, September 10, 2025 Statistics Canada’s latest modelled estimates suggest that wheat production in Canada will decline slightly in 2025, driven primarily by weaker yields across several regions. National output is expected to edge down 1.1% to 35.5 million tonnes, with yields forecast to fall 1.2% to 49.6... Read this article online