Next Agriculture Policy Framework 2028-2030
Ontario’s grain sector is a critical part of Canada’s food system and economy. Ontario grain farmers lead production of Canada’s third-largest field crop by volume, grain corn, and third-largest field crop by value, soybeans. On average, 60% of Canada’s corn and soybeans are grown in Ontario. Ontario grain farmers also contribute to an increasing share of Canada’s wheat production and grow more than 80% of Canada’s winter wheat. These grains and oilseeds, along with Ontario barley and oats, underpin critical Canadian agri-food and bioproduct industries, including baked goods, meal ingredients, confectionery, grain-fed meats, plant-based proteins, breakfast cereals, cooking oils, spirits, fermented foods, biofuels, and more.
In the Next Policy Framework (NPF), federal, provincial, and territorial ministers of agriculture and agri-food should increase framework funding to reflect the scale of risk now facing agriculture and the inflationary realities affecting farm businesses.
The NPF should be built around the economic sustainability of farms by supporting on-farm productivity, keeping grain farmers competitive, and strengthening the Business Risk Management tools that allow farm businesses to withstand shocks beyond their control.
Grain Farmers of Ontario recognizes four key pillars of a successful NPF
Business Risk Management
A stronger federal role in BRM would help address this structural disadvantage and strengthen both farm resilience and Canada’s agricultural competitiveness.
Agri-science and research
Agri-science and research should remain a central focus of the next framework because productivity gains, improved crop resilience, and practical innovation are essential to the future competitiveness of grain and oilseed farming in Ontario.
Agri-marketing and market development
For Ontario grain and oilseed farmers, expanded market access, proactive trade promotion, and diversification are essential to profitability, risk management, and long-term sector growth.
On-farm programming
To be effective, programming should respond to the practical realities of running a farm business, rather than narrow policy categories that are difficult to access or disconnected from day-to-day operational needs.
Supporting documentation
Read the full document for Grain Farmers of Ontario’s asks for the Next Policy Framework, along with a Business Risk Management (BRM) report prepared for the House of Commons.