They don’t call him Wheat Pete for nothing. It’s September and that means it’s time to talk about wheat, wheat, wheat. In this week’s episode of Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson is answering the most timely questions regarding the winter wheat crop, choosing seeding rates, the importance of seed treatments, and so much more…. Read More
It’s a colourful time of year as leaves start to turn yellow, then brown, and then drop to the ground — not only on trees, but also in soybean fields. When moisture has not been a limiting factor, differences in days-to-maturity between varieties can be quite eye-catching heading into the final weeks of the growing… Read More
The Saskatchewan Pulse Growers (SPG) breeding agreement with the University of Saskatchewan Crop Development Centre (CDC) is ending, and as it stands, will not be renewed. SPG has invested upwards of 40 million dollars in pulse crop breeding with an additional 20 million dollars in genetics and gene sequencing or market development. Most of that… Read More
It was an idea with the best of intentions — to bring the five major Canadian seed-related member organizations together under the banner of Seeds Canada. The idea was to address government and stakeholders with one voice, lower delivery costs for programming, and ensure farmers have access to the world-class genetics they deserve and expect…. Read More
The Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) — the last of five seed organizations to vote on the amalgamated industry group Seeds Canada — has voted against joining in a vote of 337 in favour, 414 against. A two-thirds majority vote was necessary for the amalgamation to go forward. Seeds Canada is a proposed merger of… Read More
Hot, dry weather isn’t letting up for many areas of Ontario, and the impact of heat is showing up in wheat yields. In this week’s Wheat Pete’s Word, host Peter Johnson has got some timely reminders for farmers as we head into the middle of summer. From leafhoppers in alfalfa, to peak flight of western… Read More
WinField United Canada, based at Saskatoon, Sask., and Country Farm Seeds, based at Blenheim, Ont., are entering into a business partnership to expand their seed portfolios, featuring the WinField United CROPLAN seed brand. Effective September 2020, the partnership will provide farmers in eastern Canada with high-performance genetics that are produced in Canada, and will be… Read More
The Canadian seed industry is moving closer to the end of its Seed Synergy project where five seed organizations in Canada will come together to form one entity, Seeds Canada. Shaun Haney spoke with Jonathan Nyborg, president of the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA), to talk about the benefits of the potential amalgamation and where… Read More
Weed control questions, millipede feeding, and a crusting quandary — it must be early June! This week’s Wheat Pete’s Word is a little longer than usual because there is just so much going on and so many great questions rolling in. Host Peter Johnson has got the answers this week to everything from tufted vetch… Read More
The Seed Variety Use Agreement (SVUA) pilot program launched earlier this year now includes five varieties, as DL Seeds in Manitoba has announced the registration of two new field pea varieties that will be part of the project. A Seed Variety Use Agreement allows plant breeders to set a royalty fee, referred to as a… Read More
Demand shifts in the Ontario corn market could mean more of the crop heads to the European Union this year. That could pose a problem for the industry, as certain new hybrids with stacked traits are not yet approved for entry into the EU. Each individual trait at issue is approved, but because of how… Read More
IntelliDrive, the variable rate seed metering system, is expanding its Canadian footprint. The company, which uses 12-volt electric motors to control individual sections of seeding equipment to enable variable rate planting, initially focused its efforts on John Deere central commodity system drills. Two years ago, IntelliDrive made its first foray to Canada as an exhibitor… Read More
Five Prairie wheat and barley groups have “significant concerns” surrounding the Seed Variety Use Agreement pilot project recently announced by the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) and the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA). The Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association (MWBGA), Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat), Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), and the Alberta… Read More
After years of discussions about how to fund the development of new crop varieties in Canada, two seed industry groups have announced they’re moving ahead with a pilot program for the 2020 growing season. The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), along with the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA), announced a Seed Variety Use Agreement (SVUA)… Read More
An announcement regarding the future of seed royalties on Tuesday in Winnipeg could be a turning point in a more-than-a-decade long discussion about the return-on-investment for seed companies and plant breeders in Canada. At FarmTech in Edmonton earlier this winter, both Todd Hyra, of SeCan, and Laurin Comin, of the Alberta Wheat Commission, presented on… Read More