Ontario Agriculture Week Marks 15 Years

Oct 07, 2013

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The week prior to Thanksgiving Day every year is proclaimed as Ontario Agriculture Week. It serves as a period of time to pay tribute to the bounties of food and farming in the province.

It was established in 1998, 15 years ago, through a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Ontario PC MPP Bert Johnson. Since that time, it has become a tradition to recognize Ontario farmers and the food that they produce.

While the commemorative week has been widely embraced by Ontarians, there has been a proposal to change the week to ‘Local Food Week.’ The idea was dreamed up by the current government, the Ontario Liberals as a way to tie-in their local food agenda.

Several MPPs have been vocal about their disapproval of such a proposal moving forward. Perhaps the biggest advocates for keeping the status quo are the Ontario PC’s, not surprising since one of their own brought forth the idea 15 years ago.

Farms.com will be speaking to Ontario PC Agriculture Critic MPP Ernie Hardeman this week to find out about the ways in which his party is looking to preserve Ontario Agriculture Week. In the meantime, don’t forget to celebrate by thanking a farmer or satisfying your taste buds with some Ontario food!

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.