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Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization,
representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers.
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Ontario Grain Farmer Magazine

Research funding ensures future of Ontario grains

GUELPH, ON (September 9, 2013) – Grain Farmers of Ontario wishes to express their optimism for the future of Ontario grains following today’s announcement of funding for a breeding project led by the Canadian Field Crop Research Alliance (CFCRA) under Growing Forward 2 (GF2).

The “Canadian Field Crop Genetics Improvement Cluster”, a five-year, $10.3 million initiative, will bring together researchers from the public and private sectors to enhance the genetics of grain corn, soybeans, oats, and barley in order to produce high-yielding, low input, disease-resistant varieties.

“This research will address the unique climate and specialized markets of Ontario while also meeting the need for value-added traits that deliver higher levels of nutrition and improved processing attributes,” says Barry Senft, CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario. “Any promising varieties that are developed as a result of this research are expected to be commercialized, ensuring our farmers will remain competitive.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario is pleased that the federal government recognizes the importance of plant breeding through their investment in this initiative. We believe it will build upon the success of a previous breeding project completed by the CFCRA under the initial Growing Forward program.

Grain Farmers of Ontario is a member of the CFCRA, a not-for-profit entity founded in 2010 with an interest in advancing the genetic capacity of field crops in Canada, particularly corn, soybean, wheat, barley, and oat. 

Grain Farmers of Ontario

Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 corn, soybean and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $2.5 billion in farm gate receipts, result in over $9 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 40,000 jobs in the province.

Contact:

Barry Senft, CEO – 1-800-265-0550; bsenft@gfo.ca

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Grain Farmers of Ontario
Grain Farmers of Ontario is the province’s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario’s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers. The crops they grow cover over 6 million acres of farm land across the province, generate over $4.1 billion in production value, result in over $27 billion in economic output and are responsible for over 90,000 jobs in the province.