How do yields of Ontarian crops stack up?

Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) is a levy-funded organisation representing 28,000 farmers across 2.4m hectares. The organisation's main aims are to grow markets, develop research, innovation and KT, represent farmers' interests and maintain and promote the public image of its members.

Throughout the week, we’ll be visiting a number of farms in the region and talking with industry representatives.

Ontario has a unique climate. It is the most southern region in Canada and is surrounded by one-fifth of the world’s fresh water.

Nicole MacKellar giving an overview the key goals of @Grainfarmers of Ontario. The organisation represents 28,000 farmers who grow maize, soya, wheat, barley and oats across 2.4 million ha. #GrainOnTour19 pic.twitter.com/wgGtZf0JcW

— Stephen Robb (@StephenRobbFJ) July 23, 2019

Integrated approach

During the first morning, we spoke with Randy Jackiw, assistant deputy of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA).

He explained that agriculture is one of only two shared jurisdictions across the entire country of Canada, ie both the state and federal governments have a role in developing policies on a number of aspects including food safety, animal health, plant health and environmental and land use.

He explained how the government department focuses heavily in collaborating with organisations, such as GFO, as well as other partners and farmers.

One such example of this was in 2018 where many maize crops were badly infected with Vomitoxin. Vomitoxin (DON) is an ear mould affecting maze, similar to fusarium and it compromises the quality of the grain.

Through working with partners including GFO, it developed guidelines for handling and harvesting crops infested with the disease, developing alternative uses for crops affected with DON and developing varieties to prevent the disease occurring again.

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Ontario grain production in numbers