THIS IS THE final issue of Ontario Corn Producer.

As an Ontario corn farmer, you’ll continue to get news and information that is relevant to you delivered directly to your mailbox 10 times each year.  The great news is that Ontario soybean and wheat producers will get to share in that information as the magazine’s scope broadens to include those industries too.

The new publication, called Ontario Grain Farmer, will be the flagship publication for Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the association that will represent the combined interests of Ontario corn, soybean and wheat farmers. 

Every farmer in Ontario who markets corn, soybeans or wheat will be members of GFO.

In anticipation of Provincial government approval that is expected in Fall 2009, GFO is moving forward with newly assigned staff and a transition team of directors that will reflect a combination of existing Ontario Corn Producers’ Association, Ontario Soybean Growers, and Ontario Wheat Producers’ Marketing Board staff and producer representatives.

GFO will take the mandates of the respective organizations forward in a more concentrated effort.

We’ll continue to build on our market development opportunities for all three commodities both domestically and overseas. We’ll continue to refine our identity preservation systems where appropriate to assure our customers a consistent, safe, and quality product.

Our presence at both Queen’s Park and Parliament Hill will be stronger than ever, as we continue to lobby both levels of government for sound policies that bring real value to Ontario farmers.

Under GFO, research will remain a priority, as we work with Canada’s best researchers to fund world-class projects that will bring new ideas and technologies to the farm level.

And we’ll continue to offer producers a dual desk marketing system where wheat producers will have the option of marketing their wheat with the Ontario wheat pool. 

Through it all, we’ll continually strive for stronger relationships with stakeholders – in government, industry, and members – to build a vibrant and powerful grain and oilseed industry in Ontario. 

And here’s the best part: you’ll be here to watch.

We’ll be looking to you, our members, and readers of Ontario Grain Farmer magazine, to let us know how we’re doing.  Tell us what you like, and what don’t like about the articles you’re reading, or the job we’re doing. 

Because at the end of the day, whether we exist in the form of OCPA or GFO, it’s always with a purpose of bringing value back to the farm gate.

We look forward to working with you.