HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen Agriculture, 2003-03-19, Page 37PAGE A-12.THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2003.
Crop harvested when uniformly ripe FARM SAFETY FACT
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((NC) - Hospitalization due to animal-related injuries indicate that horses
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Canadian Agricultural Injury Surveillance Program.
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Young growth
Two of the Whytes’ grandchildren provide a colourful photo opportunity standing amidst a field
Of luShly-COlOUred mustard. (Photo submitted)
Continued from A-ll
When it comes to seeding Whyte
feels that five to six pounds per acre
is an adequate yellow mustard
seeding rate in Ontario. A seeding
depth of 1/4-1/2 inch is what they
have discovered is best. The crop
would be planted by mid to late
May.
At harvest the mustard is straight
combined once the crop is uniformly
ripe and free from green seeds. “As
the crop isn’t swathed the issue of
windrows doesn’t exist.”
For this growing season Whytes
have been given the chance to
contract between 10,000 and 12,000
acres. “We recognize that as a
significant challenge and are going
to attempt to subcontract as much as
as possible.”
Most of the subcontractors from
last year are on board again, says
Whyte and there has been interest
from new ones as well.
The harvest will be brought to
Whytes’ licensed graih elevator
which are located on the comer of
their property. “We have fairly
specialized cleaning equipment that
allows us to clean it to food grade
standards.”
The price this year is 26 cents per
pound. Whyte says they think it’s
reasonable to anticipate a yield of
between 1,500 and 1,600 pounds per
acre for a gross of about $400.
Whyte also notes that because
growing the crop doesn’t mean
having to go out and buy a whole
new line of machinery, as well as the
fact that the price is established
every year in the winter, people can
give it a try without a great risk. “If
they don’t like it, they don’t proceed
another year.”
The proximity of G.S. Dunn to
growers is a benefit, says Whyte. “In
relative terms they are close to us,”
he says, compared to Saskatchewan
where there is a large acreage grown.
Whyte says an average year in the
prairies would see 500,000 acres
grown.
With mustard currently exported
into 28 countries and Dunn’s
obviously creating a demand, Whyte
is optimistic about the crop.
“We certainly hope there’s a future
for this. We certainly believe there's
potential.”
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Installers of...
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Yellow gold
Hoping for the success of
mustard as a viable crop, Nick
Whyte shows a container of the
seed, harvested last year by
the family and their
subcontractors. (Bonnie Gropp
photo)
Gravel pits in Blyth area to serve you better
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482-3783 Simon VanDriel Clinton