GUELPH – Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO), the province‘s largest commodity organization, representing Ontario‘s 28,000 barley, corn, oat, soybean and wheat farmers is calling on all parliamentarians to step-up action on supply chain challenges facing this year’s planting season and the food supply.
This is a critical time for farmers. The availability of fertilizer and escalating costs of inputs are causing great concern for Ontario grain farmers as they prepare to plant their crops this spring. What is planted today will have a direct impact on what grain is available at harvest time to feed people and livestock.
Policymakers, farmers, and other stakeholders in the agriculture value chain need to work together to respond to the food crisis that is unfolding around the world because of the tragic situation in the Ukraine. Farmers are poised to plant their crops to maximize their production, but action needs to be taken immediately by governments to avoid long-term consequences to the food supply system.
“We are driven to produce as much grain as we can, not only for our own province, but for the world,” said GFO chair Brendan Byrne. “We can’t do this without the full support of our government and industry partners. Farmers need immediate access to input supplies including fertilizer and with fair pricing.”
Farmers are experiencing challenges securing fertilizers and prices are uncertain, with only a few weeks away from planting season there is only a small window right now to get the inputs farmers need in-place to grow a full crop this year, crops that will be more critical than ever given the situation in Ukraine.
“It is important that inputs remain affordable,” said Byrne. “Farmers need to be able to continue the valuable work they do in providing a necessary resource that keeps food on the shelves and our communities fed.”
