The Rural Voice, 1998-02, Page 26HILL & HILL FARMS LTD.
For Your 1998 Planting Needs
• SEED SOYBEANS
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• HISTICK SOYBEAN INOCULANT
• SEED CORN
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Remember: Quality Is Not Expensive, It's Priceless!
22 THE RURAL VOICE
Gerry Fowler was the broker for
the deal. His export company has
been dealing in organic soybeans for
the past 10 or 12 years.
When Fowler discovered the
demand for non -genetically modified
soybeans, he "put out feelers" to find
a supplier and touched on this area.
"Luckily we came across Mike
and Judy (Snobelen) to do the farm
end of things," said Fowler. "They
were head and shoulders above the
rest."
Snobelen approached farms in the
Lucknow and Ripley arca and offered
a premium to farmers willing to grow
non -genetically altered soybeans.
Contracts were signed, fields were
planted, some were "spot-checked"
with Round -Up, and now the beans
are on their way to England.
Fowler said his company is very
satisfied with the response from
Europe and he expects the
market will grow next year as
environmental labeling laws in the
European Common Market become
increasingly restrictive.
Fowler called it, "A nice
opportunity for Canada."
As for Mike Snobelen, he's glad to
see farmers take advantage of this
opportunity and his philosophy is
simple.
"If you don't give the customer
what they want, they'll go
somewhere else."
He said the shipment and the
development of the market, will
hopefully establish Canada as a
legitimate choice in the soybean
market and show that Canadian
farmers can compete with the
Americans.
He said this region has always
produced good beans, 'and this
opportunity will provide another
specialty market for area growers to
satisfy.
"If that's what the consumer wants
and it's good for everyone concerned,
then let's go for it," said Snobelen.
In regards to other countries that
produce soybeans, Fowler said
Canada has the upper hand because
farmers can provide the volumes and
quality needed to beat the
competition.
For the buyers, Fowler said
Canada provides a "double whammy"
— buyers benefit from high quality
and Tess risk.