Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2001-01-24, Page 11=SWEEPA You need a soybean program you can count on. That's why there's CLEAN SWEEP,'" a proven, reliable tank-mix that delivers broad-spectrum, one-pass weed control — whether you're growing conventional or Identity Preserved beans. It gives you peace of mind with contact and season-long control of grass and broadleaf weeds, including the tough ones like ragweed, velvetleaf and nightshade. It's no wonder PURSUIT"+ BASAGRAN' FORTE is the #1 tank-mix choice for soybean growers in Eastern Canada. For more information on CLEAN SWEEP, call BASF AgSolutions at 1-877-371-BASF (2273) or visit our website at www.agsolutions.ca 'CLEAN SWEEP is a trademark of BASF. 'BASAGFIAN is a rediaterad trademark di , BASF AG, used under .letense by BASF. - PURSUIT is a ragittliked sal:Nina* of BASF. BASF THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2001. PAGE 11. Ont. farmers can't compete with foreign subsidies Ontario grains and oilseed growers need $300 million in government support to be able to compete with heavily- subsidized competitors in the U.S. and Europe, Bob Down, past president of the Ontario Corn Growers told a combined meeting of Huron County's corn, soybean and wheat producers in Holmesville, Jan. 17. Down, who has spearheaded a co-ordinated effort by all commodities to win federal government support, said there is a $63 an acre difference in government support between the U.S. and Canada. He personally met with Paul Martin, federal finance minister, prior to the election and came away convinced help was on the way. "We're still waiting . . . and waiting . . and waiting," Down said. As the wait continues there are concerns farmers won't survive until help arrives, Down said. "We need an immediate cash infusion." With new producers coming on line for traditional Ontario crops, and competition with heavily subsidized growers in the U.S., identity preserved crops could be the niche for Ontario farmers, said Marty Huzevka of the Hensall Co-op. Speaking to growers attending the combined annual meeting of Huron County's corn, soybean and wheat producers, Huzevka said Western Canada is taking over crops like white beans while Brazil and Argentina continue to expand in soybean production. Ontario producers and proCessors must play to their strengths, and that means value-added crops like food- grade soybeans and new identity preserved corn varieties coming down the line, Huzevka said. Ontario producers have experience in handling food-grade crops like white beans and our processors have the facilities needed to segregate food- grade products, he says. Food grade soybeans offer potential for growth, Huzevka said. Soybeans contain isoflavones which research is showing can reduce heart disease and cancers of the colon, prostate and breast as well as menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. "That means to me we are in the right niche," Huzevka said. "We have the qualifications to be a major supplier of food-grade soybeans." But to win Japanese customers it's essential to convince them • there is a quality control, identity preserved system in place that allows a crop to be traced right from planting to delivery.. Huzevka said he is leaving for Japan this week to talk to customers and bring them up to date on Hensall Co-op's identity preservation It's not just the dollars available to U.S. farmers, said Liam McCreery, vice- president of the Ontario Soybean Producers. It's also the design of the U.S. support programs. The American program pays farmers whatever money they lose below the support price, meaning there, is no incentive to do a better job marketing their crops. But not only Canada's federal government is letting down farmers, said Down. Compared to Alberta and Quebec, Ontario farmers are not getting the provincial help needed. Quebec farmers got $230 million in support from the province last year while Ontario gave out $120 million for all programs, despite the fact Ontario produces more farm goods than Quebec. Down was asked how much longer producer organizations would continue to patiently wait for government assistance. He said the plans of the commodity groups are facilities. His presentation will show buyers the lengths to which the Co-op goes to ensure there will be no cross-contamination of the product. flexible and can change to more aggressive tactics if the situation warrants it. "On the other hand, there are indications that there is mo,vement (from the government)," he said. Meanwhile, in reviewing the past year for corn producers, Down said Ontario had only about 80 per cent of a normal crop and the corn was often of lower grade than normal. "The bottom line is we haven't produced enough corn by any means to satisfy. the needs of corn manufacturers," he said, so corn will have to be imported. Jack Stafford, zone directoi' for the soybean producers, reported on increased drying charges approved by the board because of the special circumstances caused by higher energy prices. Hopefully the processors will remember how farmers helped them out, Stafford said. Acreage for soybeans in Ontario continues to expand and both exports and imports grew last year. "We target export markets that are value- added," Stafford said, and import crushing-quality beans. Iran is the largest single market but Japan doubled its purchases last year and Indonesia, thanks to federal government trade efforts, made a big jump in purchases. Acreage in soybeans was up in 2000 but yields were down from 1999. Huron County represents eight per cent of the provincial production with 1,591 growers averaging 43 bushels per acre. Murray Thompson, zone director for the Ontario Wheat Producers Marketing Board, reported on the move of the board's head office from Chatham to Guelph. There had been a phenomenal increase in direct marketing contracts with 2,800 contracts signed for 22,000 tonnes of wheat, he said. The groups combined to pass seven resolutions. The Soybean Growers requested that premiums for specialty soybeans not be included to arrive at the average price calculations for Market Revenue Insurance purposes. The Wheat Producers requested the OWPMB to ask Agricorp to review the policy regarding loss,of income due to low quality due to such problems as fusarium. All groups directed their provincial board to lobby the provincial government to be proactive by introducing an interim enhancement to the Market Revenue Insurance Program without waiting for the federal government,so that Ontario farmers can be competitive with their counterparts in Alberta, Quebec, and the U.S. The Environmental Farm Plan funding is slated to end March 31. This has been a successful program, doing a lot of good for the environment. A resolution was passed that the provincial boards lobby the appropriate governments to reinstate funding for this program, increase the dollar amount available to each applicant, and allow farmers who have already completed the plan, to reapply for projects that could not be finished because of lack of funding. Since the Healthy Futures program is ending in 2002, and the current environmental component of this program is not addressing the overall approach to environmental rehabilitation, a resolution passed requesting all provincial farm organizations lobby the provincial government for a long-term program that will help finance effective long term environmental rehabilitation and pollution prevention. The three commodity groups also passed a resolution to support Huron County's application to Healthy Futures for Ontario Agriculture for funding to be used to implement the adoption of best management practices for water quality in the county. The last resolution cautioned farm organizations to study very carefully the implications of agreeing to any use of agricultural land as a carbon sink. Elections were conducted by OMAFRA Regional Information Co-ordinator Jane Muegge. Elected for the year 2001 for the Corn Producers delegates were: Evert Ridder, chair; Peter Postl, secretary; Bob Down, zone 10 director; Larry Lynn and Chris Weernink; as alternates Wayne Hamilton, Bob Hallam, Brian VanAaken, Bob Fotheringham and Neil Vincent. Elected for the Soybean Growers: Bob Hallam, chair; Achim Stoecher, secretary; John Stafford, zone 7 director; John Arts; Maurice Hallahan; Steve Hallahan; John King; John Oke and Fred Phillips. Elected for the Wheat Committee: Peter Heinrick, chair; Neil Stapleton, secretary; Stuart Alton; John Baan; Achim Stoecher; Al Hoggart; Maurice Hallahan, Don Kerslake; John Gaunt; Chris Weernink; Mike Ondrejicka; John King; and Doug Walker. PaRTIC/Pat17017 www.participaction.com Niche markets key for farmers