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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1996-12-18, Page 15Soybean ideas sprouting A Look at Agriculture Breeding technology saves the wildlife habitat Ralph deVries, Crop Consultant with Howson & Howson Ltd. New plant breeding technology is good for the environment. The more productive the variety or breed, the less amount of acres needed to produce food more profitably. This also puts less stress on countries that are clearing land to produce crops. Along with this, environment is preserved for wildlife. Some examples of breeding success are: • Artificial insemination which has been adding two per cent each year to the milk yields of dairy cattle in North America. • Breeding of corn hybrids, which began in the 1920s. At that time corn averaged 27 bushels per acre; in 1994 the average was 138 bushels per acre in the U.S. This is a gain of two bushels per acre per year. In the 1930s there was a gain of approximately half bushel per acre. Plant breeding is gaining faster now than it did when it first started. • A third example is of the Canadian breeders who have taken out the natural chemicals that made rapeseed oil bitter and its high protein meal toxic to livestock. They now call this crop Canola. • A local example is of the Bt hybrid corn. N3030 Bt out yields N3030 (regular version) by 14.5 bushels per acre. Also, N2555 Bt beats N2555 by 6.0 bushels per acre on average. The difference in yield is related to the corn borer pressure in a field. In Ontario, we see varieties improving all the time. Many of us may remember the time when it was considered challenging to grow grain corn;. oats and barley were a major part of the rotation. Increasingly, we are seeing more and more corn and soybeans. Plant breeding has moved these crops from southern areas to more northern regions. With plant breeding the options seem to be endless. We have higher yielding, shorter strawed, insect resistant, higher protein, and disease resistant possibilities. The breeding technology is changing quickly and can be confusing. The seed companies are all hurrying to bring the new technology to farmers. It is overwhelming to see all the growth and changes. The Bt technology is coming on very quickly. In the next few years it will add approximately 10 per cent more corn to the market just because it protects the varieties against one insect. The older varieties without Bt gene will have a yield drag against the variety with the Bt gene. There are several technologies similar to this that are coming to the North American market in the next few years. This will bring more affordable food to feed the world and, at the same time, protect and preserve wildlife areas that are not presently being used for agriculture. CRAIG HARDWOODS LIMITED H Auburn Ont. 519-526-7220 al • Let 5 Generations of Experience in Timber Purchasing and Resource Management $ WORK FOR YOU $ Remember - "Good Things Come in Trees" Hardwood Slabs '130/17 cu. yd. Truckload within 20 miles Mileage Beyond that BRUSSELS LIVESTOCK Division of Gamble & Rogers Ltd. UPCOMING SALES TUESDAYS 9 a.m. Finished Cattle & Cows THURSDAYS 10:00 a.m. Dropped Calves Veals followed by Goats Sheep & Lambs FRIDAYS 10:00 a.m. Stocker Cattle 1:00 p.m. Pigs Special Christmas Lamb & Goat Sales Thursday, December 19 approx. 1:30 p.m. BRUSSELS 887-6461 THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1996 PAGE 15. Brussels Livestock report New lamb prices up sharply The sales at Brussels Livestock for the week ending Dec. 13 were: fed cattle, 495; cows, 420; veal calves, 397; lambs and goats, 341; and stockers, 1,306. The fed steers and heifers sold steady with the cows selling $2 to $3 lower. Veal sold $2 lower with new crop lambs selling sharply higher. Stockers were strong on Friday. There were 274 steers on offer selling from $88 to $92 to the high of $98. Ten steers consigned by Ron Dietrich, Mildmay, averaging 1,162 lbs. sold for an average of $90.17 with sales to $98. Thirty- nine steers consigned by Cunning- ham Farms, Lucan, averaging 1,311 lbs. sold for an average of $91.46 with sales to $97. Thirteen steers consigned by Schmidt Brook Farms Inc., Woodstock, averaging 1,390 lbs. sold for $89.82 with sales to $96. Twelve steers consigned by Bruce Bros., Belgrave, averaging 1,426 lbs. sold for an average of $88.33 with sales to $94.50. One steer consigned by Chuck Durrer, Mildmay, weighing 1,275 lbs. sold for $94. Eleven steers consigned by Kada Farms, Bluevale, averaging 1,273 lbs. sold for an average of $91.25 with sales to $93.75. Six steers consigned by John Glousher, Wingham, averaging 1,338 lbs. sold for an average of $88.85 with sales to $90.75. Nine steers consigned by Larry Kreager, Guelph, averaging 1,308 lbs. sold for an average of $88.51 with sales to $90.75. Eleven steers consigned by Ron Codlin, Grand Valley, averaging 1,458 lbs. sold for an average of $83.49 with sales to $90.25. Six steers consigned by Don Culbert, Dungannon, averag- ing 1,301 lbs. sold for an average of $88.71 with sales to $89.50. There were 204 heifers on offer selling from $88 to $92 to the high of $97.50. Fourteen heifers consigned by Mux Lea Farms, Health educators amalgamate The diabetes educators of Huron and Perth Counties are pleased to announce their amalgamation. This is in keeping with alliances being formed throughout Huron and Perth counties. Our plan is to work towards standardized care and improved health for the person with diabetes. Previously, diabetes educators in Huron County met on a regular basis and were responsible for the recent Diabetes Update held in Holmesville, November, 1995. In the spirit of co-operation, Perth diabetes educators were invited to meet in Seaforth, September 1996. This meeting resulted in amalgamation. For more information on Diabetes, contact local diabetes educators at: Alexandra Marine and General Hospital, Goderich; Clinton Public Hospital, Clinton; Seaforth Community Hospital, Seaforth; South Huron Hospital, Exeter; Wingham and District Hospital, Wingham; Listowel and District Hospital, Listowel; St. Marys Memorial Hospital, St. Marys; Stratford General Hospital, Stratford; Huron County Home Care Program; Perth District Home Care Program; Community Nursing Services; Victorian Order of Nurses. Woodstock, averaging 1,195 lbs. sold for an average of $91.39 with sales to $97.50. Thirteen heifers consigned by Rejal Farms Ltd., Mount Forest, averaging 1,120 lbs. sold for an average of $89.05 with sales to $97. Thirteen heifers consigned by Gerald Rathwell, Brucefield, averaging 1,172 lbs. sold for an average of $84.56 with sales to $84.83. Seventeen heifers consigned by Ronland Farm, Stratford, averaging 1,139 lbs. sold for an average o $85.74 with saleS to $94.50. Six heifers consigned by Gordon Dougherty, Goderich, averaging 1,098 lbs. sold for an average of $88.87 with sales to $94. Four heifers consigned by Armand Fischer, Neustadt, averaging 1,138 lbs. sold for an average of $85.23 with sales to $94. Two heifers consigned by David Bowles, Brussels, averaging 1,202 lbs. sold for an average of $89.41 with sales to $90. Seven heifers consigned by Noah Weppler, Ayton, averaging 1,214 lbs. sold for an average of $83.88 with sales to $88.50. Three heifers consigned by Ed Pridham, Stayner, averaging 1,191 lbs. sold for an average of $87.08 with sales to $88.25. There were 420 cows on offer selling from $28 to $53 to the high of $70. One RWF cow consigned by Don Bryce, Wingham, weighing 885 lbs. sold for $70. Five RWF cows consigned by Dean Gibson, Wroxeter, averaging 1,411 lbs. sold for an average of $44.58 with sales to $50. Four cows consigned by Gary Platter, Duntroon, averaging 1,325 lbs. sold for an average of $40.87 with sales to $50. There were 16 bulls on offer selling from $36 to $45.50 with sales to $54. One Limousin bull consigned by Arnold Lamb, Goderich, weighing 1,890 lbs. sold for $54. One Charolais bull consigned by Bert Elliott Cattle Co., Kincardine, weighing 1,915 lbs. sold for $53. There were 397 veal on offer selling: Plain Holstein, $50 to $75; Holstein, $75 to $95; and Beef, $80 to $112. Sixteen veal consigned by Eric Scheurwater, Paisley, averaging 676 lbs. sold for an average of $99.02 with sales to $112. Four veal consigned by Albert Hessels, Wingham, averaging 695 lbs. sold for an average of $99.57 with sales to $111. Seven veal consigned by John Verburg, Londesboro, averaging 665 lbs. sold for an average of $96.01 with sales to $109. Lambs, under 50 lbs., sold $220 to $400; 50 to 80 lbs., $120 to $265; 80 to 95 lbs., $125 to $145; and over 95 lbs., $92.50 to $135. Sheep sold $30 to $70. Goats sold $10 to $145. Stocker steers, under 400 lbs., sold $62 to $83; 400 - 500 lbs., $65 to $109; 500 - 600 lbs., $65.50 to $95; 600 - 700 lbs., $64 to $91; 700 - 800 lbs., $61 to $94; 800 - 900 lbs., $62.50 to $95.50; and 900 - 1,000 lbs., $67 to $98. Stocker heifers, 300 - 400 lbs., sold $53 to $69.50; 400 - 500 lbs., $59 to $85; 500 - 600 lbs., $60 to $86.50; 600 - 700 lbs., $58.50 to $88.50; 700 - 800 lbs., $64.50 to $87.25; 800 - 900 lbs., $65.75 to $84. Plain stockers, $35 to $55. An innovative new soybean contest is giving University of Guelph students food for thought. The contest, called Project SOY (Soybean Opportunities for Youth) is a joint initiative between First Line Seeds and the University of Guelph. It rewards students for developing new research and marketing strategies for Ontario soybeans. When the deadline for entries passed in late November, nine teams of students had put forward a range of innovative project proposals. "We're very impressed with the wide spectrum of projects," says Peter Hannam, president of First Line Seeds. "We believe the positive response from students is a sign that some truly original ideas are being developed." Entries span the faculties of engineering, food science, crop science and agricultural economics and business. Soy-based snack foods, the use of soybean-generated foams for insulation, and the marketing of soybean feed for swine production in China are just some of the project ideas that students are developing. Project development will be carried out over the winter semester by the student teams. Cash prizes of $2,500, $1,000 and $500 will be awarded to first, second, and third place winners, respectively, in both graduate and undergraduate categories. The driving force behind the contest is First Line Seeds' efforts to identify new ways /to utilize soybeans, raising the profile of this commodity and increasing demand for soybeans and their products. "There is great potential for soybeans," says Hannam. "Project SOY will help to identify new and innovative uses and marketing strategies for ever-increasing soybean yields. The bottom line means developing profitable markets for farmers." "There are almost two million acres of soybeans planted each year in Ontario because of the research and development of improved seed varieties and better management practices," says Bruce Luzzi, soybean breeder and geneticist at the University of Guelph and faculty co-ordinator for Project SOY. "Expanding the market for these soybeans is a goal of this event." "The University of Guelph is an excellent place to hold an event like this because of its key crop science, food science, engineering and agricultural economics and business faculties," says Hannam. "The quality of the entries certainly speaks very favourably of student interest in soybeans," he notes, adding that "the students of today will be the leaders of the industry tomorrow."