Why it matters: The long-standing grassroots conference and trade show has offered in-person educational days on the beef, dairy, goat, sheep, crop, and horse industries during the first whole week of January since 1966.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, GBFW provided a sense of normalcy by livestreaming a modified lineup, an option that remains a popular addition today for those further afield.

This year, from Jan. 7 to 12, Elmwood Community Centre will host Anne Wasko, discussing market outlooks on Beef Day; Dr. Jodie Wallace, tackling herd fertility on Dairy Day; and Jelle Vogels, teaching Goat Day producers how to maximize return over feed. On Sheep Day, Justin Woodward will dive into solar grazing, while Steven Rosvold rounds up the crowd on the benefits of herd dogs in livestock operations.

Dr. Ian Bishop will be looking that gift horse in the mouth to discuss equine dentistry on Horse Day, while Cody Hammer, Ministry of Transportation enforcement officer, and Ryan Nichols, Enforcement Supervisor, for the Waterloo district, drive home road safety in the agricultural industry on Crop Day.

There won’t be an Ecological Day this year; instead, sustainability themes are interwoven throughout the week.

If that doesn’t catch your fancy, there will be panel discussions each day, including Bullseye: Hitting the Mark in Sire Selection, raising thriving calves, grass and pasture management, my favourite drill and the autonomous ag frontier, not to mention the On-Demand presentations included in every ticket purchase.

Pre-purchased tickets are required for livestreaming and suggested for in-person attendance. However, in-person registration begins at 9 a.m., just in case you can get away from the farm last minute – or wiggle out of another commitment.

Tickets include HST and cost $50 per day for in-person or livestream, bundle three days for $120 or $160 to livestream the whole week. Sadly, livestreaming tickets don’t include the hot roast beef dinner, pie dessert or access to the tradeshow that in-person attendees enjoy.

For more information, visit www.GBFW.ca, email info@greyagservice.ca, or call the office at 519-986-3756.

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That’s understandable: the auto sector is a longtime symbol of Ontario’s industrial strength and innovation. But while cars and trucks have long rolled off our assembly lines, another powerful economic engine has been steadily driving Ontario forward, too — our agriculture, agri-food and agri-business sectors.

As a farmer and president of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, it’s an industry I’m more than familiar with, but it’s time more Ontarians – and Canadians – recognized the scale, sophistication and economic importance of this sector. Agriculture, agri-food and agri-business are every bit as vital to the province’s prosperity as the automotive industry, and we can’t afford to overlook it or take it for granted.

Ontario’s agri-food system, from farms and greenhouses to processors, distributors, retailers and foodservice, contributed approximately $51.4 billion to the provincial economy in 2024. That makes it one of Ontario’s top economic drivers, powering both rural and urban communities.

At the heart of that system is food and beverage processing, the industrial engine that transforms Ontario-grown crops, livestock and ingredients into finished food products.

In 2023, this subsector alone contributed $14.8 billion to the provincial economy, accounting for more than 15% of Ontario’s total manufacturing gross domestic product. That’s just behind motor vehicles at 16.4%, and well ahead of other major manufacturing sectors like chemicals or fabricated metals.

In other words: food processing is Ontario’s second-largest manufacturing industry — and one of its most stable and resilient.

From food plants in the Greater Toronto Area to bakeries, dairies and processors in small towns across the province, Ontario’s food manufacturing sector employed 116,700 people in 2023 — about 14% of all manufacturing jobs in Ontario. And when you take in the entire agri-food system, from farming to retail to restaurants, more than 867,000 Ontarians or about 10 per cent of the labour force are connected to the food value chain.

Ontario also leads the country in agri-food exports, shipping $28 billion worth of products to markets around the world in 2024. Our top customer is the United States, followed by the European Union and Asia, and major export categories range from primary agricultural commodities to processed products like baked goods and prepared foods.

This is a sector that thrives on innovation, entrepreneurship and global competitiveness — just like auto manufacturing. The difference is that its impact is felt in every region of Ontario, not just a few industrial hubs.

As a sector, agriculture, agri-food and food processing offer economic balance and resilience. This is a sector grounded in local production but globally engaged; rooted in small businesses yet capable of scaling to export markets.

Research shows that every dollar of economic activity created in food processing supports an additional $2.46 elsewhere in Ontario’s economy, through farming, packaging, transportation, logistics and retail. That’s a powerful multiplier effect — one that strengthens local economies and keeps rural Ontario vibrant.

The current trade and tariff challenges around the auto sector, as well as steel, aluminum and others, remind us that economies evolve, and that governments need to plan for stability and diversity. Ontario’s agri-food and food processing sector offers exactly that: a homegrown, high-value industry with global reach and long-term potential.

To fully unlock that potential, we need the same kind of attention and investment that the auto, energy, mining, steel and aluminum sectors receive. That means support for modern processing facilities, infrastructure that connects rural producers to markets, policies that encourage farm business growth and domestic value-added manufacturing, and a commitment to keeping farmland productive and protected.

Agriculture and food are not just part of Ontario’s heritage — they’re the foundation of our future prosperity. As we navigate global uncertainty, let’s remember that Ontario’s ability to feed itself and the world is one of its greatest strengths.

When we invest in farming and food, we’re investing in jobs, innovation, and a more resilient Ontario economy.

The post Ontario’s other economic engine: agriculture and food appeared first on Farmtario.

The bi-weekly publication for the farmers of Ontario has launched a one-of-a-kind markets desk that gives an Ontario perspective on agricultural markets that can be overwhelmed by coverage from the U.S.

Farmtario subscribers will also receive a bi-weekly Farmtario Markets Desk electronic newsletter. It will provide Ontario farmers with a nuanced take on grain, livestock and dairy markets that acknowledges their unique challenges, says Ranulf Glanville, Glacier FarmMedia director of business insights and information. He’ll be editing the newsletter from his base in London.

“It will really focus our market content, providing curated market information in both print and digital,” he says.

Glanville will provide micro market insight commentary around issues like supply and demand. He’ll be joined by Bruce Burnett who will provide macro analysis of market trends, weather and crops expertise. Jerry Klassen will provide livestock market and crops insights, and Phil Franz-Warkentin will provide additional market coverage. There will also be guest market commentators such as John DePutter.

Farmtario is currently distributed in the province using Canada Post’s unaddressed farm mailbox list. That means delivery isn’t guaranteed for either Farmtario or AgDealer. A $30 subscription will ensure farmers receive both publications every time, plus the Farmtario Markets Desk newsletter. Non-subscribers will continue to receive the publication occasionally, but delivery is not guaranteed.

The first issue of the electronic Markets Desk newsletter will launch September 30. Look for it at www.farmtario.com

For more of our Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show 2025 coverage, visit our landing page.

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In central Alberta, Simmental based steers weighing 900 pounds on barley and silage diet with full processing data were valued at $405/cwt fob farm. In east central Alberta, black wide frame Limousin based steers averaging 825 pounds supposedly sold for $460/cwt.

The Killarney market report in Manitoba had red heifers weighing just under 900 pounds selling for $391/cwt. At the Ste Rose sale, a smaller package of red heifers with a mean weight of 795 pounds were marked at $425/cwt.

The Ponoka market report had a handful of red mixed steers evaluated at 709 pounds on hay and silage diet with full preconditioning data moving through the ring at $500/cwt. At the same sale, tan heifers scaled at 700 pounds on a diet of silage and pellets with full processing data dropped the gavel at $486/cwt.

At the Westlock sale, a smaller package of Angus Simmental cross 650 pound heifers on hay and barley diet with full processing records sold for $467/cwt. At the Ste Rose sale, the market report had black heifers averaging 616 pounds trading for $512/cwt.  In the Calgary region, a smaller package of Charolais weaned steers weighing just over 600 pounds were quoted at $573/cwt.

The Ste Rose Auction market report had Charolais steers averaging 555 pounds moving through the ring at $610/cwt. A buyer in central Alberta reported that Angus cross weaned heifers on the card at 560 pounds sold for $530.

The USDA estimated U.S. fourth quarter beef production at 6.650 billion pounds, down from the 2024 final quarter output of 6.882 billion pounds. If the U.S. border stays closed to Mexican feeders for an extended period, U.S. fourth quarter beef production forecasts would likely drop to 6.400 billion pounds. This would drive the December live cattle futures higher and support the yearling market during July and August.

The post Klassen: Feeding margin uncertainty weighs on feeder cattle market appeared first on Farmtario.

In Central Alberta, a smaller group of light butter, larger frame, mixed steers averaging 955 pounds on silage/protein supplement diet with full processing data sold for $311. In the same region,  a smaller package of fleshier 925-pound mixed, medium frame, red heifers sold for $294. North of Red Deer, a smaller group of thinner, large frame Angus blended heifers weighing 810 pounds dropped the gavel at $329. In North-Central Saskatchewan, medium to larger frame, lower flesh Charolais steers averaging 815 pounds were valued at $358.

In Central Saskatchewan, large-wide frame Limousin blended steers and on grass and hay diet weighing 710 pounds were last bid at $403. South of Edmonton, medium to larger frame, thin, tan mixed heifers around 705 pounds apparently traded for $340.

The market for lighter calves was extremely variable across the prairies. In Central Alberta, weaned Simmental mixed steers on grass and hay diet with full processing data averaging 655 pounds supposedly traded for $456. In Central Saskatchewan, a smaller package of 620 pound mixed steers reportedly sold for $432. In Central Alberta, medium wide frame red Angus blended heifer calves on hay and forage diet scaled at 655 pounds apparently notched the board at $390.

In Central Alberta, a handful to tan weaned 520-pound steers charted course at $480. In Central Saskatchewan, a smaller package of mixed 530-pound steers were valued at $438. In the Calgary region, a handful of mixed weaned heifers weighing 585 were valued at $394 and weaned black heifers around 510 pounds reportedly sold for $398.

Finishing and backgrounding operations are factoring in a $15-$20 jump in feeder cattle prices between now and August. When there is a quality package available, buyers are not afraid to bid the market to fresh record highs. It’s a very unique period in the cattle cycle.

The post Klassen: Feeder cattle market ratchets higher on stronger fed market appeared first on Farmtario.

This past week, finishing feedlots were once again aggressive on all weight categories. Ontario demand was noted on feeders in Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan, with a premium lean on Limousin and Charolais blends. Despite the softer tone in deferred live cattle futures, the nearby feeder market didn’t miss a beat. Fleshier types were discounted but even these cattle were well bid. Overall volumes are declining in line with the seasonal tendency. The lower supplies contributed to the stronger tone.

In central Alberta, Angus-blended lower-flesh steers on light grain ration with full health data averaging 842 lbs. were quoted at $270. North of Calgary, a smaller group of fleshier Simmental blends weighing 840 lbs. were bid up to $256. Northwest of Winnipeg, larger-frame lower-flesh Charolais scaled at 855 lbs. dropped the gavel at $286. At the same sale, black Limousin mixed thinner steers weighing just under 785 lbs. charted fresh waters $294. In central Alberta, mixed steers scaled at 775 lbs. on silage diet traded hands at $268.

In southern Manitoba red mixed 735-lb. steers sold for $308; south of Edmonton, tan steers with a 715-lb. ticket were last quoted at $321.

Near Lethbridge, Angus heifers averaging 615 lbs. sold for $300; southeast of Calgary, tan steers weighing 640 lbs. were valued at $325. East of Saskatoon, Charolais-based steers weighing a shade over 500 lbs. watered eyes selling at $370 and similar-quality and -weight heifers silenced the crowed at $340.

A larger portion of Alberta has received less than 40 per cent of normal precipitation. Pastures are in poor condition. Smoky conditions in central Alberta may have set a negative tone for the market last week. Approximately 45 per cent of the Canadian calves born are in Alberta. This is a serious blow to the industry and may result in an abnormal marketing schedule for a large portion of feeder cattle.

— Jerry Klassen is president and founder of Resilient Capital, specializing in proprietary commodity futures trading and market analysis. Jerry consults with feedlots on risk management and writes a weekly cattle market commentary. He can be reached at 204-504-8339 or via his website at ResilCapital.com.

The post Klassen: Feeder market remains firm on fed cattle strength appeared first on Farmtario.

Steve Meyer, an economist with Iowa’s Kearns and Associates, said few predicted the early 2023 large run of hogs and a recent United States Department of Agriculture Hogs and Pigs report was off the mark.

Why it matters: The Canadian hog price is strongly tied to the American price, with pigs and finished pork flowing back and forth across the border.

“Quarterly hogs and pig report from February, very much as expected, and as it’s turned out, very much wrong,” Meyer told attendees of Ontario Pork’s annual meeting last month. “Sometimes it happens, and it hasn’t happened for a while.”

He said the USDA reports from June and September 2022 were spot on, and there was no reason to doubt it until February. In December, Meyer said the breeding herd was up a half per cent from the year before, the first growth since 2012.

“The last couple of weeks, we’ve run 80,000 to 100,000 head above the slaughter forecast, and weights have gone up. That is not a good omen,” said Meyer. “That says we’re backing up a few pigs, maybe, so I’m really concerned about that. We’ll see if we get current.”

Meyer said weights are not rising as they have been for years. They were ahead of the five-year average in the first half of the year and behind in the second half.

Despite a profitable 2021 and 2022, Meyer said there was no breeding herd expansion, and with 2023 off to a rough start, he suggested there might be a contraction.

The slaughter forecast is up one per cent, close to last year, with most of it in the fourth quarter, predicated on a return to one to 1.5 per cent growth in litter sizes.

Canada-U.S. relations have been strained over the years, in part because Canada added almost one per cent to U.S. domestic supply.

Meyer said there was no griping about the influx because the industry understood the difficulties that arose when China delisted Canadian processing facilities.

The U.S. industry is waiting for a Supreme Court decision regarding California’s Proposition 12, Farm Animal Confinement, which requires producers to provide pregnant pigs with 24 square feet of space and the ability to stand and turn around in their pens. It also bans state sales of pork not raised within the proposed housing specifications. Prop 12 also applies to veal calves and egg-laying hens.

“If (the court finds) it is a violation of what we call the Dormant Commerce Clause of the Constitution, it will be declared unconstitutional and be sent back to a district court in California for a trial,” said Meyer.

“If they say yes, it’s OK with the Dormant Commerce Clause, then California Department Food and Ag can move with enforcing the rules, and they’re going to enforce the rules on you and us.”

If the matter goes to trial, it will drag on further, but if the California proposition is approved, enforcement wouldn’t begin until at least July, he said.

Exports slower

Chinese tariffs on American pork could open opportunities for Canada.

Stuck with an uncompetitive 40 per cent Chinese tariff and Value Added Tax on U.S. products, Meyer said Canada and other countries stand to benefit more.

Exports challenged the United States pork industry with a drag on 2022 wholesale and hog demands, except from Mexico, Korea and the Dominican Republic.

U.S. pork export forecasts indicate a 2023 increase of three to five per cent, depending on the source.

However, the USDA pegged it at one per cent.

Mexico will remain a robust export destination for U.S. pork, and Meyer said he isn’t overly concerned that Mexico’s recent agreement with Brazil will severely impact U.S. products.

He also suggested significant European Union output reductions and higher prices, especially in Japan and Korea, could be an opportunity for the U.S., particularly in Asian markets.

“We have free trade agreements with 10 South American countries that get fully implemented over the next four or five years,” said Meyer. “Some of them already are. Zero tariffs, zero quotas, and I think those are our growth markets for the short term.

“Price forecast — decidedly ugly. I mean, this is not very pretty,” he said. “So, the question here is, will demand recover?”

U.S. domestic demand is strong but slipping from record-level highs, he said.

The post Uncertain U.S. pork forecast causes pessimism appeared first on Farmtario.

Financial details were not disclosed.

Agribriefing’s businesses include protein price-reporting agency Urner Barry and crop consultancy Strategie Grains, the latter acquired by Agribriefing in 2021.

New Jersey-based Urner Barry provides market intelligence for the poultry, egg, meat, seafood and plant protein segments, while France’s Strategie focuses on European and world grain and oilseed markets.

The Agribriefing takeover follows Mintec’s acquisition in December of commodity price reporting firm CommoPrices.

Mintec, based west of London, publishes prices and analysis on food ingredients.

Five Arrows Principal Investments, an investment arm of financial advisory group Rothschild and Co., acquired a majority stake in Mintec last year.

— Reporting for Reuters by Gus Trompiz in Paris.

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Heavier calves with quality genetics were in higher demand in Alberta; however, in Manitoba, heavier calves experienced a softer tone. Across the prairies, smaller packages and singles were discounted from average values. Weaned calves were also well bid compared to groups straight off their mothers. Feedlots want to purchase a full pen of pre-conditioned, uniform, weaned calves and their willing to pay premiums for these quality packages.

There have been intermittent rains in Southern Alberta and snow in Southern Saskatchewan. This appeared to enhance buying interest for vaccinated replacements. Freight spreads appeared to widen from Saskatchewan and B.C. to the main feeding regions of Southern Alberta. Truck availability remains tight and the adverse rains and snow resulted in a transportation risk discount. Ontario demand lifted values in Manitoba in the lighter weight categories. U.S. interest has subsided for the time being.

In Northwest Saskatchewan, a larger group of 950-pound mixed steers straight off grass sold for $227. In Central Alberta, mixed heifers coming off pasture weighing 984 pounds were valued at $203. In Central Saskatchewan, tan steers on grass diet weighing 872 pounds silenced the crowd at $233.  Near Lethbridge, Charolais heifers weighing 885 pounds coming off pasture were valued at $201. Northwest of Winnipeg, black Angus based steer averaging 865 pounds dropped the gavel at $239 and similar quality heifers weighing a shade under 900 pounds charted course at $215.

In East Central Alberta, a larger group of black Limousin blended, weaned steers with health records weighing 650 pounds were valued at $255; south of Edmonton, a smaller group of weaned red Angus heifers with full health data notched the board at $207.  In Central Saskatchewan, Simmental steers straight off their mothers weighing 550 pounds sold for $266 and black heifers weighing 550 pounds were quoted at $226. North of Brandon, Charolais based steers weighing 464 pounds reached up to $335 and similar quality heifers weighing just over 400 pounds were bid up to $270.

The backlog of market ready fed cattle supplies in Southern Alberta is slowly being alleviated. Alberta packers were offering attractive basis levels for April May and June of 2023. Despite the higher feed grain values, feeding margins look profitable in the deferred months which is underpinning the nearby feeder market.

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Carcass weights are nearing historical highs. Barley prices in Lethbridge were quoted from $450 to $460/tonne delivered, up $10-$15/tonne from last week.

The yearling run is in the final stages. Limited numbers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba made the market hard to define. In Central Alberta, a larger group of tan steers averaging 920 pounds straight off grass silenced the crowd at $232; a small group of mixed medium frame heifers straight off grass with full health data weighing 932 pounds were valued at $205. In Southern Alberta, larger frame Angus blended steers off grass weighing 835 pounds were valued at $245. Northwest of Winnipeg, a small group of red steers weighing just over 800 pounds sold for $238.

Calf prices were relatively flat across the prairies this week. In East Central Saskatchewan, Simmental mixed larger frame steer calves averaging 720 pounds dropped the gavel at $252 and similar quality heifers weighing just over 700 pounds charted the board at $203. In Manitoba, Charolais weaned steers weighing 650 pounds sold for $265 and similar quality heifers averaging 622 pounds stopped bids at $228. In Central Alberta, mixed steers averaging 590 pounds with full health records straight off their mothers charted course at $263. In the same region, bawling tan heifers that ran across the scale at 550 pounds silenced the crowd at $234. In Southern Alberta, semi-weaned Simmental mixed steers weighing 600 pounds were valued at $266.

Genetic qualities appear to be influencing the price structure on calves under 500 pounds. Northwest of Winnipeg, Charolais steers weighing 425 pounds touched the $325 level. In Central Alberta, red steers balancing the scale at 440 pounds sold for $308.

Alberta packers were buying fed cattle on a dressed basis at an average price of $302/cwt delivered. Using a 60 per cent grading, live prices would be $181/cwt delivered in Alberta. Domestic packers were buying cattle last week for delivery in late November or early December. In Nebraska and Colorado, fed cattle traded in the range of US$150-US$152/cwt which equates to CD$204-CD$207/cwt. The Alberta discount to Nebraska is historically wide. Fed cattle supplies are rather snug south of the border while Alberta feedlots are struggling to move market ready supplies.

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