Letter to Ontario Corn Producers' Association, Ontario Soybean Growers, and Ontario What Producers' Marketing Board

To Ontario Corn, Soybean and Wheat Producers

RE: Producer Expression of Opinion Vote regarding a proposal to create a single marketing board called "Grain Farmers of Ontario".

Voting begins September 9th and ends September 30th, 2008

A working group of the Ontario Corn Producers' Association (OCPA), the Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG) and Ontario Wheat Producers' Marketing Board (OWPMB) are proposing that a new marketing board be created under the Farm Products Marketing Act, to represent the interests of corn, soybean and wheat producers.

Acting on resolutions passed at annual general meetings, the OCPA, OSG and OWPMB have asked the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission (Commission) to conduct a vote of eligible producers to determine the level of producer support to create a new board. If the Commission determines that there is insufficient support for a single marketing board, the OCPA, OSG and the OWPMB would continue to represent producers of corn, soybeans and wheat separately.

If the Commission is of the opinion that producers affected by the proposal are supportive, then the Commission may recommend the establishment of the board to the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Section 4 of the Act requires that the Commission form an opinion on the level of overall producer support for the proposal. Section 5 of the Farm Products Marketing Act authorizes the Lieutenant Governor in Council to, by regulation, establish and revoke plans for the control and regulation of the producing or marketing of a farm product within Ontario.

The Commission encourages all eligible producers to become informed about the proposal and to cast their vote in favour or against the question. For further information, please refer to the enclosed "Grain Farmers of Ontario information summary".

Voter Eligibility

Ag Line/TI Communications Ltd has been contracted by the Commission to provide support for the vote. All enquiries regarding eligibility should be directed to Ag Line/TI. at
1-866-764-2006 or via email at commission@agline.on.ca.

1. A producer who has grown and marketed at least one of the three commodities such that license fees were deducted and remitted to at least one of the respective organizations in any of the last two years is eligible to vote.
2. A producer is defined as a sole proprietor, a farm corporation, a limited partnership or a partner in a partnership for this vote. Some producers may be eligible to have more than one vote (ballot) depending upon the different farm structures (how farm income and expenses are reported for income tax purposes).
3. If you no longer market and pay license fees for corn, soybeans and wheat please indicate this on the appropriate check box on the ballot and return the ballot.
4. Beginning farmers may be eligible to vote. Contact AgLine/TI to discuss and request an information package, including a ballot.

Pre-printed Ballot

Your official pre-printed ballot is enclosed. Each ballot has been uniquely identified. The producer lists of the three organizations were used to create the voters' list and the pre-printed ballot. When the lists were merged, considerable effort was taken to eliminate duplicate entries for the same producer and/or farm operation. The farm business/producer name and contact information is listed on the ballot. The names of all partners/business contacts associated with the farm operation are printed on the reverse side of the ballot for review and validation by the producer.

Multiple ballots may have been mailed to the same address. Where the number of ballots exceeds the number of eligible voters, please write "VOID" on the ballots not associated with an eligible voter, and return all the ballots in the postage paid envelope provided. Returning all ballots is important to ensure an accurate assessment of participation.

Producers should direct all questions or enquiries about their ballot including:
" completing and returning the ballot;
" incorrect information on the ballot;
" lost or misplaced ballots; or
" requests for new or replacement ballots
to Ag Line/TI Communications Ltd. at 1-866-764-2006 or via email at commission@agline.on.ca.

Production (tonnes) on which license fees were paid for corn, soybeans and wheat

The Commission will assess the outcome of the vote taking into account how many eligible producers voted, and how many tonnes marketed by the producers who vote for or against the ballot question. For this reason, printed on each ballot are the tonnes of corn, soybeans and wheat on which a producer paid license fees, as reported to OCPA, OSG and OWPMB. The tonnage values are based on the fiscal year of each organization. Please review these tonnage amounts for accuracy. If you farmed in a partnership arrangement, each partner is eligible to vote. For the purpose of this vote, the total tonnage should be allocated to each partner based on their share of income from the partnership.

If you feel the reported tonnage amounts do not reflect your actual tonnage on which license fees were paid allowing for a five percent (+/-5%) variance, record any revised values in the shaded area on the ballot. Please contact AgLine/TI Communications if you have questions.

How to contact the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission

If you have questions related to the vote or vote process that AgLine/TI Communications is unable to answer, producers may contact one of the following staff with the Commission.

Sophia Dinnissen, Marketing Analyst - staff contact for OWPMB
519 826-3396 sophia.dinnissen@ontario.ca

John Fitzgerald, Marketing Analyst - staff contact for OSG and OCPA
519 826-3222 john.fitzgerald@ontario.ca

Ballot Information and Vote Results

The information collected by AgLine/TI Communications Ltd. is solely for the use of the Commission in assessing producer support. All data and information collected by AgLine/TI Communications Ltd. will be delivered to the Commission where it will remain confidential. The ballots will be tabulated by scrutineers appointed by the Commission.

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