Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

2016 Ontario Planting Intentions

Acreage Battle: Possible Outcome and Impact on Basis

It’s that time of year when everyone is thinking about what they should plant for 2016. There is a great deal to consider, and many factors that farmers cannot control. The price of corn and soybeans has dropped, but a lower Canadian dollar has more than offset a weaker futures price. However, this bonus program may also be coming to an end. Input costs have fallen as well, but once again a lower Canadian dollar has offset these lower costs.

80% of the acres are most likely already spoken for, so it is time to hear from Ontario farmers -- share your planting intentions with us at: http://riskmanagement.farms.com/track-record/ontario-planting-intentions/survey.

The United States has a significant impact on what farmers in Ontario, and elsewhere in North America, will consider planting. Traditionally, Ontario farmers are very interested in the USDA Prospective Planting Report at the end of March as it can dictate the future direction of price. Statistics Canada also releases a similar report. In 2015, for the first time, Farms.com invited a number of farmers to participate in the Farms.com Risk Management Planting Intentions Survey.

Planting Intentions for Corn Soybeans and Wheat in Ontario

“In the long term, crop rotation and yield considerations play a large part, as does total return and production costs when farmers are deciding what to plant,” says Farms.com Senior Commodity Analyst Maurizio Agostino. After compiling survey results in 2015, Farms.com Risk Management predicted that Ontario Farmers would plant less soybean acres, but grow more corn and wheat acres. “Our predictions were quite accurate,” continues Agostino “many producers were missing wheat in their rotation after 2 consecutive seasons of very wet planting conditions that prevented them from getting wheat in the ground.” The intentions were high, but in the end final Stats Canada numbers revealed that less acres were planted than originally predicted.   Concludes Agostino, “The fact that the Ontario producer can still sell $5.00 corn into 2016 or 2017, points to more corn acres in Ontario in 2016.”  

As an Ontario Farmer, Farms.com Risk Management invites you to have your say. Complete the 2016 Farms.com Risk Management Planting Intentions Survey: http://riskmanagement.farms.com/track-record/ontario-planting-intentions/survey. At the end of March, when the survey results are compiled they will be shared with everyone who participated in the survey – providing you with valuable insights into the Ontario marketplace and what impact, if any, it might have on basis.

Farms.com Risk Management Planting Intentions Survey participants will also be entered into a draw for one of three cash prizes:

- $300

- $200

- $100

To complete the Farms.com Risk Management Planting Intentions Survey: http://riskmanagement.farms.com/track-record/ontario-planting-intentions/survey.

 


Trending Video

The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

Video: The FCDC and AgSmart Bring Plant Breeding to a Wider Audience

In the vast prairies of Alberta, Olds College’s Field Crop Development Centre (FCDC) stands as a beacon of innovation and research in the agricultural world. The institution has become a key player in advancing agricultural technologies and practices. The FCDC’s commitment to applied research has driven them to seek effective means of disseminating their findings and creating a positive impact on the farming community.

One such avenue that aligns with their mission is AgSmart, an event dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge agricultural technologies. The coming together of the FCDC’s annual Field Day and Ag Smart has proved to be a natural fit, fostering a synergy that benefits both parties and propels the agriculture industry forward. The FCDC Field Day took part in conjunction with AgSmart for the first time this week on Aug. 1-2 in Olds, Alta. FCDC Program Director Kofi Agblor and Olds College VP of Development Todd Ormann sat down for an interview with Marc Zienkiewicz to discuss the significance of the two events taking part together and what the future holds.

The Intersection of Research and Technology The essence of the FCDC lies in its dedication to plant breeding and new seed varieties, particularly barley and triticale. While conducting research is essential, it becomes meaningful when its benefits are shared with the wider community. This is where AgSmart steps in, providing a key venue for the FCDC to showcase their research. This union between research and technology creates a holistic and enriching experience for farmers, ranchers, and industry professionals, the pair said.

Seeds as Technology For the FCDC, the partnership with AgSmart goes beyond mere event collaboration. It is about creating an environment that bridges the gap between seeds and smart technology, Ormann said. The college believes that for technology to truly revolutionize agriculture, it must begin with a strong foundation — high-quality seeds. As the saying goes, “it all starts with a seed.” To demonstrate this critical aspect, the collaboration aims to showcase the seed value chain as an integral part of the smartphone.

The Birth of a Powerful Alliance The idea of joining forces emerged when staff realized the potential synergy between AgSmart and the FCDC Field Day. With just a few days separating the two events, a proposal was put forward to merge them. The marketing and communications teams from both sides worked seamlessly to ensure the essence of both events remained intact, creating a powerful alliance that leverages the strengths of each, Agblor said.

Driving Advancements in Breeding For Agblor, the partnership with AgSmart has tremendous potential to drive advancements in breeding and other technology. With technologies like drones and imaging becoming integral to phenotyping, breeding is no longer confined to vast fields to assess thousands of plants manually. Instead, it benefits from the data-rich insights brought about by smart technologies. These advancements make breeding more efficient, precise, and instrumental in shaping the future of agriculture.

Overcoming Challenges Together While the partnership between Olds College and Ag Smart has been a resounding success, there are challenges on the horizon. Securing stable funding for long-term breeding initiatives is crucial to sustain progress. The college is committed to navigating these challenges and investing in agriculture’s future sustainably, Agblor said.

 

Comments


Your email address will not be published