It is my pleasure to provide you with my President’s message. The Ontario agriculture sector has been impacted by global challenges and elevated trade uncertainty that has presented both risks and opportunities for a resilient and stable agri business industry. Amidst the trade disputes, labour stoppages, reimagined supply chains, disease outbreaks, political instability, climate change impacts and economic pressures, OABA has been a constant, focused on advancing our members’ collective competitiveness and safety. We have done this through effective, timely communication to you, our membership, on key issues that impact your business, by advocating for sector priorities to elected officials and bureaucrats, and by providing training, education and leadership programs for members ensuring safe operations.

OABA has a long history of representing the diverse interests of our membership operating in the crop inputs, grain elevator and feed sectors. This past year was no exception with our Board and Section Committees proactively addressing key strategic priorities, and promptly responding to sector concerns and issues as they arise.

In early 2025, the Board of Directors and staff completed a comprehensive strategic planning process. The outcome of this process was the confirmation of 5 key strategic objectives for the Association that evolved from the previous strategic plan completed in 2021. The priorities include: a) member engagement and communications; b) stakeholder relationships; c) safety, training, education & leadership; d) advocacy & government relations; and e) organizational excellence. OABA will look to continuously build our organizational activities and, under the Board’s direction, allocate both human and financial resources to deliver on these priorities.

In the areas of government relations, OABA continues to build and foster relationships with key elected officials and senior bureaucrats at the federal and provincial levels so that we can effectively represent members’ collective interests. Key files this past year have included several federal regulatory consultations advocating for: the inclusion of commercial grain drying in any carbon tax exemptions, gene edited plant breeding, new feed regulations, Clean Fuel Standards, and a continued focus on removing the tariffs on Russian fertilizer. Engagement at the provincial level included various budget consultations, advocating for agri-food sector technology and biosecurity investments applicable to agri-businesses, updated grain financial protection regulations, rightsizing air, dust and noise emission and taxation requirements, and the development of an agri-food labour strategy. We envision that 2025 will be an even busier year in the government relations front with the recently completed provincial and federal elections.

In the area of stakeholder relations, OABA continues to build strong and collaborative relationships with allied industry and grower associations within the provincial and federal agri-food landscape. During the past year, highlights have included a number of communication collaborations with Grain Farmers of Ontario, Soy Canada, Fertilizer Canada, Ontario Bean Growers, Ontario Canola Growers, Ontario Federation of Agriculture, Canada Grains Council, Seeds Canada and the Animal Nutrition Association of Canada. Together we issued sector specific industry aligned guidance to members on: the review of pre-commercial gene edited technologies, addressing various union strike actions, advocating for continued market access to key trading regions, promoting grain contract understanding and supporting investments in agri-tech. These collaborative efforts were undertaken to ensure our sector is aligned in our interests to government at all levels of the value chain.

A core area of focus for OABA over the years has been the delivery of premium health, safety and leadership programing to our membership. Our staff team delivers primarily in-person events, but supplements with virtual training and participant follow-ups. The Safety Network continues to be an exciting and welcoming environment for safety professionals to meet peer-to-peer, hear from guest speakers on a variety of topics and share both successes and challenges associated with their roles. This past year marked the largest group of new participants in the network. We have re-established the Human Resource Committee after a period of hiatus, an annual work plan has been developed with one of the first priorities to address federal pay equity reporting and compliance. OABA continues to offer a full slate of grain grading and lead hand courses at both introductory and advanced level. We also continue to partner with ACUTE Environmental and Safety Services to offer members health and safety training courses to ensure OABA members have the necessary training needed to operate both safe and regulatory compliant businesses.

Our 2024 Annual Meeting and Convention was held at the Hilton Mississauga Meadowvale, this past December. It was particularly rewarding because it marked OABA’s 25th year in operation. I am very proud of the efforts of those that came before me. For 25 years, this organization has been a leader in advocating for the interests of agri businesses operating within Ontario. That long-term success is in no small part due to the commitment and dedication of the members and staff through the years. Consistent through this time has been the member company employee’s willingness to sit together at the Board or Committee level and put aside their individual business interests to work collectively towards the common good of the industry.

I would also like to thank the OABA staff and the many volunteers for their commitment to both the Association and to the advancement of Ontario’s agri-business sector. The effective combination of volunteer expertise on the Board of Directors, Crop Inputs, Feed and Grain Section Committees, numerous Sub-Committees working alongside the experienced professional staff of Ron, Tracey, Joanne and Russel has positioned OABA as a strong leadership organization that effectively represents and advances the interests of our vast membership to industry stakeholders including government, producer associations and the agri-food value chain. It is gratifying to know that government agencies, ministries and other organizations routinely look to OABA for our collective perspectives and thought leadership. We are a key collaborator in driving sector growth and identifying and effectively implementing solutions to issues as they arise.

In closing, I would like to extend my thanks to the OABA staff, Board, Committees and all OABA members for allowing me the privilege of serving as your President this year, and I wish all members continued success through 2025 and beyond.