Many farmers and seed industry members have come to realize that business-as-usual will not be a business at all unless some changes are made to the way plant breeding is funded in this country. Everyone recognizes that most of the money that goes into plant breeding goes into just a few crops through private investment,… Read more »
Category: Seed
Sense of commitment central to Crop Development Centre’s success
Farmers need seed to grow crops. It’s just that simple. This is why public institutions have played such an important role in plant breeding over the years. But, just as new varieties are needed when environmental conditions change, new funding models for plant breeders are needed when economic conditions change. Kofi Agblor knows all to… Read more »
End point or trailing royalty — what system will we end up with?
The way farmers pay for new variety development is set to change. The federal government is currently hosting consultation meetings across Canada, gathering information and feedback from the seed industry, farmers, farm groups, and industry, on which of two royalty options the industry prefers. Executive director of the Canadian Seed Trade Association, Dave Carey, says… Read more »
Consultations begin on crop variety development support models: How did we get here?
The way farmers support new variety development of most open-pollinated and trait-free crops is set to change. Currently, the federal government is hosting consultation meetings across Canada to garner feedback from farmers, plant breeders, seed companies, and industry on two proposed systems: end point royalty or trailing royalty contracts. The impending change has been a… Read more »
Wheat Pete’s Word, Nov 7: Combine mods, cereal rye, and soy storage tips
Let’s start this week’s Word on a super positive note — Peter Johnson is a grandpa for the sixth time! Host Johnson takes that wonderful piece of news as inspiration for this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word and tries to keep it upbeat and positive (meaning, yes, he talks corn, but mostly not, OK?) From winter… Read more »
Sleeping or dead? Tough harvest has induced major seed dormancy
Seed quality from the 2018 harvest was actually quite good, until wet and cold weather stranded crop standing and in the swath. That nasty weather interlude has left many farmers with seed that’s in a rather deep dormancy, and it’s going to take some time to fully evaluate the quality and germination of seed lots… Read more »
Wheat School: Watch out for spoilage moulds in seed samples
Every year is different when it comes to growing a crop. The summer growing conditions are unpredictable and, as we have seen this year, harvest can go from great to brutal in one weather event. The same is true with seed: every sample can offer its own surprises. RealAgriculture’s Dale Leftwich recently attended the Western… Read more »
Maizex Seeds focused on the future of Canadian agriculture
Focus on growth by meeting the needs of farmers across Canada is the clear direction for the team at Maizex Seeds. Under the theme of “Together We Grow”, the joint venture between Maizex Seeds and La Coop fédérée will see Maizex assuming the management of the corn and soybean businesses for both the Maizex and… Read more »
Soybean School: Helping varieties ‘flex’ for higher yield
The concept of ‘flex’ corn hybrids has been talked about in seed circles for several years. The idea is quite simple: these corn hybrids have the ability to flex and create larger ears with more girth at lower populations. They produce higher yields when planted in the 28,000 seeds per acre range. The idea of… Read more »
Start your seed testing story with 20/20 Seed Labs
As the 2018 growing season comes to a close, it’s a good time to evaluate what impact the environment has had on the seed during both the growing and harvest season. It’s important to consider that your seed analyst and disease diagnostician are very much on the front lines again this year – and as… Read more »
Health Canada proposes ban of remaining two main neonics
Health Canada has proposed banning two of the most commonly used neonicotinoid insecticides (neonics) used in Canadian agriculture in the next three to five years following a review of their impact on aquatic insect species. The proposal published on Wednesday would end outdoor agricultural and turf uses for clothianidin, and all outdoor agricultural and ornamental uses… Read more »
Wheat School: How do we fund wheat research?
Over the last decade, the average yield increase for corn tips the scale at five bushels per acre, per year. During the same period wheat yield gains have averaged a meagre one bushel per acre, per year. What is the future of wheat if it can’t match the yield gains of crops like corn and… Read more »
InVigor planning to roll out canola seed count packaging in 2020
The concept of buying seed based on number of seeds, rather than weight, is certainly familiar for farmers who grow corn and soybeans, but it’s a new approach for canola. InVigor — which changed owners this week, from Bayer to BASF — plans to introduce seed count packaging to the canola market in 2020. “Starting… Read more »
Ode to the plant breeder
Personally, I know that I lack the ability to focus on one thing for very long. I bounce from topic to topic every day as new issues develop and new questions arise. Authors commit months, or even years, to one subject when writing a book. Their ability to make that time commitment is so amazing… Read more »
Brevant seeds launches in Canada
As the dust settles on the recent major crop company mergers and acquisitions, the new, re-branded entities are beginning to emerge. Brand new for this year is the Brevant seed brand, by Corteva. Brad Orr, marketing leader for Corteva explains that, in Western Canada, producers will see canola and soybean offerings under the Brevant brand… Read more »