Grain Farmers of Ontario is the provinces largest

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

About Grain Farmers of Ontario Our mission 6 million acres of 28, 000 barley, corn, farmeroat, members soybean & wheat To develop, defend & promote an innovative & sustainable business environment which will allow farmer-members the opportunity for profitable growth. Our vision To drive the Ontario grain industry to become a global leader GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Strategic goals Protect & grow markets Shape & maintain public trust for our farmermembers Ensure regulatory systems foster a positive business environment for members Target research & innovation to enhance profitability Provide the means for our farmer-members to be sustainable Represent our members’ interests and be the trusted point of contact GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

2018 DON in review plant 2018 conditions dry early, then rain, and more rain GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO harvest 2018 challenging, wet, no real dry time period for harvest

GFO Farmer-Member harvest 2018 issues due to DON Issues • Bottlenecks in the grain handling system and lack of transportation • Farmers with the inability to meet contract obligations • Market Uncertainty – whether to destroy, store or sell below cost of production – where to store • High discounts and outright rejections • Confusion about crop insurance coverage • What is needed to make a claim • Deadlines • Lack of revenue insurance to cover losses • Stress and distressed farmers who cannot pay their bills and need money for next season GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Discount schedules <2. 0 ppm 2. 1 -3. 0 ppm 3. 1 -4. 0 ppm 4. 1 -5. 0 ppm 5. 1 -6. 0 ppm 6. 1 -7. 0 ppm 7. 1 -8. 0 ppm 8. 1 -9. 0 ppm Ontario Company X Discount Per Bushel CDN $0. 00 $0. 25 $0. 51 $0. 76 $1. 02 $1. 52 $2. 03 Michigan Company X Discount Per Bushel CDN $0. 00 $0. 08 $0. 14 $0. 19 $0. 34 • Ontario discounts are 9. 5 times higher than Michigan • Michigan prices have been converted from USD to CDN at 1. 35 exchange rate GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

2018 Fall Action Initiatives October 2018 GFO organized and hosted an industry meeting • Partnered with OMAFRA • The objective: To get a handle on the issue and look at ways to address high DON corn • Action items: • • • Clarity from Agricorp on insurance coverage DON sampling and testing procedures Feeding livestock issues Test high DON for Ethanol Corn hybrid ratings and selection Open communications among industry GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

2018 Fall Initiatives Outcomes • Crop Insurance • Weekly meetings to urge decisions to be expediated and clearer messaging to farmer-members about write offs, deadlines, salvage, coverage over all • Salvage Benefit • Moved from 49 cents to 79 cents: • IGPC high DON Corn pilot started • no issue with ethanol but elevated DON with DDGs, markets sought out • CAP funding for farmers: • OMAFRA announced up to $2, 500 to cover out of pocket testing costs • No funding is provided for cleaning or other management costs, despite our ask GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

2018 Fall Initiatives Outcomes Grain Baggers • Purchased two grain baggers and leased a third to help provide temporary storage for high DON infected corn • Three locations • Haggerty Creek Limited, Chuck Baresich, Bothwell, ON • Victoria County Grains Limited, Matt Hollinger, Manilla, ON • College Grains Inc. , Jay Shackleton, Aylmer, ON GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Research: Corn ear mould & DON Biological Control Sampling & Breeding Forecastin Testing for Using g tool Reducing bacteria to Resistanc variability control e Fusarium Crop Improving Integrated Storage & corn genetics Protection Pest Fit of new Post-harvest Managemen fungicides for Treatment Ontario t Grain bags & Controlling western bean cutworm GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO UV treatment of DON

DON Working on the issue as Collaborations Research Projects Mycotoxin Research Coalition Dr. Art Schaafsma, Grain Farmers of Ontario, OMAFRA, focused on OABA sampling and testing GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO OCC, CSTA, OMAFRA and U of and Grain Guelph Farmers of Ontario Evaluati project impact of longterm storage on DON levels on of corn hybrids in OCC trials

DON sampling & testing update • Art Schaafsma along with stakeholders like GFO, OABA, OMAFRA, University of Guelph, are working to fine tune the DON testing recommendations as well as anticipate the establishment of a pilot project this fall to validate, implement and show proof of concept under commercial testing conditions. • Through 1, 000’s of samples, testing variability ranges were identified GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Major findings: sources of variation identified Probe samples Sub-sampling 2 kg probed sample before grinding Grinding: amount Extraction amount Test kit operator Test kit Schaafsma, 2019

DON Working on the issue Future requirements • Continual collaboration between all stake holders • • Seed companies – CSTA Grain elevators – OABA Farmers – GFO Crop Insurance – Agricorp Industrial users – Ethanal Industry Feed Mills – Feed Industry Provincial Government – OMAFRA Researchers – U of Guelph, etc GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO Multiple points to reduce DON impact

Can CSTA Corn, Soy and Eastern Cereal committee contribute • Sure Can. • Farmers want to hear what all sectors are doing, including the seed industry. • Share your story on what changes you have made in light of DON • Evaluating, selecting, breeding, etc are all good examples, GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO

Thank you for your time Contact Marty Vermey mvermey@gfo. ca GRAIN FARMERS OF ONTARIO