From Grain Farmers of Ontario

The Grain Farmers of Ontario has announced the initial payments and pool return outlook (PRO) for the six wheat pools managed by the Wheat Marketing department.

The initial prices act as an advanced payment on the PRO, estimated at 60 per cent of total value. The PRO estimation is based on current market conditions and how various classes of wheat should expect to perform in the marketplace. The number will change as the year progresses, but announcing an initial figure allows wheat farmers to understand the starting point for the year as they decide whether or not to take advantage of the Grain Farmers of Ontario wheat pool.

“The Pool allows growers to diversify their risk while working with a pool that is dedicated to watching and monitoring the markets, and any proceeds, less expenses, go back to the pool participants. Farmers can move grain at harvest while taking advantage of post-harvest markets to spread out cash flow,” says Todd Austin, Manager of Wheat Marketing, Grain Farmers of Ontario. “The Pool historically hits market average or better, so it is a good insurance policy when combined with other marketing strategies.”

Grain Farmers of Ontario’s initial payments (all prices are $/tonne) for the 2018 wheat marketing year are:

SWW (Pool A) – $145
HRW (Pool B) – $145
HRS (Pool C) – $165
SRW (Pool E) – $135
CER (Pool F) – $135
Feed (Pool G) – $115

Grain Farmers of Ontario offers pre-pool and post-pool contracts. Pre-pool contracts offer an advance above the initial price to bring the value closer to 70 per cent to the current cash price. Pre-pool contracts have to be established with Grain Farmers of Ontario prior to delivery. Post-pool contracts allow for delivery into the pool after September and into the spring. Post pool contracts have to be established by September 28.