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Pre-register for March Classic and win gas

GUELPH, ON (January 11, 2013) – The Grain Farmers of Ontario 2013 March Classic in London, Ontario is just around the corner. When you pre-register for this event, you will be entered into the early bird draw for a chance to win a Petro Canada Preferred Price Fuel Card and a bottle of locally distilled Collingwood Whisky. With the Petro Canada Fuel Card, the winner will be able to enjoy a discount of 25 cents per litre for 100 litres of fuel at any Petro Canada location.

The 2013 conference theme is Ontario’s Grain Industry: Generations of Success with world-class speakers discussing issues of politics, grain markets, and succession planning. The conference will highlight real issues farmers face at different life and business stages and feature the results of the MNP Scenario Planning Survey of what the future of farming might look like. A cocktail reception will be hosted in the exhibit hall and a banquet with entertainment to top off the evening.

The March Classic is the largest grain-focused conference in Eastern Canada drawing over 500 attendees from farms across Ontario. This year the conference will be held Monday March 18 at the London Convention Centre. You can register online by visiting www.gfo.ca/marchclassic. With over 50 different agricultural exhibitors booked, this year’s March Classic is on track to be the biggest event yet, this is an event you won’t want to miss!

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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Are you ready for what farming will look like in 2032?

GUELPH, ON (November 19, 2012) – Grain Farmers of Ontario wants our members’ opinion on four distinct future scenarios the agricultural industry could experience by the year 2032. By creating these four scenarios, Grain Farmers of Ontario hopes to better understand where farmers today see themselves in 20 years and determine how as an organization we can better position ourselves for success.

Peering two decades into the future requires radical thinking. Envision the year 2032 and agriculture in Ontario has experienced big changes. One possibility is for the first time in recent history the developed countries of the world, including Canada, are facing serious food shortages and many items we expect to be on our shelves are no longer there. How will farmers prepare for this potential new future?  Is it even plausible?

“These scenarios will assist Grain Farmers of Ontario with planning research investments, long-term crop management practices and predicting product quality expectations to maximize market returns for farmers,” says Barry Senft, CEO.  It will also provide a thought process for farmers to think about how they may need to start positioning their own farming operations for the future. 

Grain Farmers of Ontario, along with accounting and business advisory firm MNP, has created the scenarios that outline different possible futures along with what we estimate to be the most plausible outcomes. These scenarios for the future will fall under different categories or “drivers of change” identified by the board, staff and representatives from the industry – topics include: technology, the urban/rural relationship, immigration, global demand and the global economy, public expectations of sustainability and the environment, changing consumers wants and needs, public policy and regulations and innovation.

“Now it is our members’ turn,” says Senft.  “We have described the future under four different scenarios and are hoping each grain farmer in Ontario will take the time to tell us whether they are plausible and what each possible future will look like on their farms.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario appreciates farmer support and participation in filling out the survey. To access the survey visit, http://take-survey.com/mnp/GFOscenarioplanning.htm using the password “future” to complete the survey or phone the Grain Farmers of Ontario office at 1-800-265-0550 to request a copy be mailed to you.

Interim results will be discussed at the Grain Farmers of Ontario January district meetings where we also plan for further discussion and input.

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