2016 Cash prices as of noon, December 9 are as follows:
SWW @ $171.33/MT ($4.66/bu),  HRW @ $168.91/MT ($4.60/bu),
HRS @ $213.44MT/ ($5.81/bu),  SRW @ $173.75/MT ($4.73/bu).

Harvest 2017 prices as of noon, December 9 are as follows:
SWW @ $189.76/MT ($5.16/bu),  HRW @ $187.35/MT ($5.10/bu),
HRS @ $225.97/MT ($6.15/bu),  SRW @ $187.35/MT ($5.10/bu)

The Ontario Cereal Crop Committee (OCCC) conducts variety performance trials to determine the genetic potential and adaptation of cereal varieties in the province of Ontario. Many growers have adopted fungicides to achieve higher levels of management. OCCC refers to this practice as intensive management. Variety performance in trials may change with the use of fungicides and this tool enables growers to base decisions on variety selection using data relevant to their practice. 

Three-year results for intensive management spring cereal trials are now available online. Producers interested in the results can access them at: www.gocereals.ca/variety_trial.php. •

Grain Farmers of Ontario farmer-members are invited to attend the afternoon portion of the annual meeting of the Ontario Seed Growers’ Association (OSGA) to be held at the Guelph Delta Hotel and Conference Centre on Tuesday, December 15.

Keynote speaker Dr. Scott Downey is associate professor in the Agricultural Economics Department and associate director of both the Center for Food and Agricultural Business and the Center for Professional Selling at Purdue University. His topic, beginning at 1:30 p.m., is Communicating Value for Success in the Seed Industry.

There is no cost to attend, but please register your attendance at https://oscia.wildapricot.org/event-2377708. •

FarmSmart 2017 Registration is open! Customize your day from over 50 concurrent sessions. From cash crop, livestock, business and environment topics to our popular Youth Program, Beef Symposium and Women in Agriculture, there is something for everyone. Check the website for more information, including program and speaker details. www.farmsmartconference.com. •

The Good in every Grain Instagram ambassador program for 2016 has come to a close. Over the course of the program (April to December) 159 posts were made by the five grain farmer ambassadors who shared life on their farms with followers. We have seen a steady increase in followers and interactions with them over this year’s program and look forward to the 2017 Instagram ambassador program. If you are on Instagram, be sure to follow along @goodineverygrain.

This week, the Good in Every Grain was also being promoted on TV. Laura Ferrier, communication coordinator, appeared on Inside Brant to discuss holiday baking with grains. •

Grain Farmers of Ontario will be holding Annual District Grain Committee Meetings during the month of January. These meetings are called to receive reports, elect the District delegates, alternates, and directors, and conduct other business as may properly come before the annual meeting. All barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers are encouraged to attend their local meeting.

Anyone who brings a farmer-member who has never attended a Grain Farmers of Ontario January District Grain Committee meeting will receive a $25 Tim Hortons gift card.

To find out when and where your District meeting will be, go to: http://gfo.ca/About-Us/Events/District-Meetings or look in the GFO Newsletter section of your latest Ontario Grain Farmer magazine. •

A group of about 20 high school students in Hanover spent part of their morning Friday learning about grain farming and Ontario grains. Meghan Burke, manager, communications for Grain Farmers of Ontario, spoke to the Grade 9 class of Kylie Olmstead at John Diefenbaker Senior School. Burke focused on farming practices, export and domestic markets for grains, end uses, and careers in agriculture.

Burke was impressed by the questions asked by the students, who showed an interest in learning more about the agriculture industry. Some of their questions included: how is modern technology and data collection being handled and protected on farms; neonicotinoids and the new Ontario regulations; and how grains are used in different products. •