The Rural Voice, 1998-03, Page 10Y01 R tN r'?�. -Your-
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ROPE
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• Nylon 1/4', 1/2', 5/8', 1'
• Hemp 1/2', 3/4', 7/8', 1'
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6 THE RURAL VOICE
Scrap Book
Mixing hybrids could boost yields
Researchers in Minnesota and
South Dakota say farmers could
gain more yield in their corn by
mixing different hybrids in one
field.
"Corn breeders have known for
decades that certain hybrids —
those not related genetically —
yield more if pollinated by another
hybrid, rather than being allowed to
self -pollinate," said Mark E.
Westgate, a plant physiologist
studying cross-pollination of com
hybrids at USDA's research facility
in Morris, Minnesota.
A typical field contains plants of
only one hybrid so that during
flowering, the plants self -pollinate
or are pollinated by a plant of the
same hybrid — called sib -
pollination. "Self-pollination and
sib -pollination create a slight
inbreeding problem, which can
result in smaller corn kernels
containing less oil and protein," said
Westgate.
Recent studies at South Dakota
State University showed yields were
up to seven per cent greater from
hybrid pairs where the pollen was
allowed to mingle in the field. In
seven years of tests with six hybrids,
cross pollination consistently
increased kernel weight and protein.
This year the Morris centre plans
to test the university's findings in a
large-scale field study involving
several seed companies and 40
different farmers in the area.
It's critical to choose the right
hybrids to cross-pollinate. The
hybrids must fit into the available
growing season window, be as
productive as possible and come
from different parent lines. Part of
the Minnesota tests will try to
identify hybrid combinations for
yield and protein content and to spot
potential management problems
associated with planting mixed
hybrids, Westgate says.
Cross-pollination doesn't cost a
grower money or time. It's just a
matter of changing how seeds are
planted in a field. According to one
Minnesota farmer who has tried
mixing varieties, "all you have to do
is place different matched varieties
in every other box on the planter".0
— Source: Country Guide
CFFO behind new urban consumer magazine
The Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, through the Jubilee Centre and
Primetiva Ltd., which publishes agri-food IMPACT magazine, plans to take the
message of agriculture directly to urban consumers with a new magazine.
Plans are to distribute copies of the new magazine to 500,000 Toronto and
arca homes beginning this fall. It will focus on Ontario food and wine and rural
tourist attractions. Publisher John Leveris and editor Roger Ball did extensive
market research including the production of a prototype which was used in
questioning consumer focus groups, food marketers and advertisers. They
learned that Toronto -area people are keenly interested in reading about local
food, wine and tourism and want information packaged in a high-quality
publication: in other words the kind of information farmers have been trying to
get through to urbanites. The research showed they wanted the magazine to be
produced by credible journalists working at arm's length from marketing boards,
commodity groups, food processing companies and supermarket chains.
Leveris and Ball also found out that people are far more interested in Ontario
rural events that they can take in on a weekend than reading about vacations in
exotic countries that are far beyond their reach. What consumers want is timely
information about what's happening within Ontario outside of Toronto, focussed
on rural tourism and food.
"We think there's tremendous potential for dozens of rural events such as the
Zurich Bean Festival, the Wellesley Apple Butter and Cheese Festival and the
Niagara Wine Festival and the fall fairs," Leveris said. "People participating in
the focus groups said they would be glad to drive out for a day or a weekend, but
they need a way to find out what's going on and what they can expect to sec and
do when they get there."0
— Source: agri food IMPACT magazine