Better Farming – September 2016

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Better Farming September 2016 Farm News First > 21
Meeting premium niche markets
Seed companies continue to address concerns that are top
of mind for Ontario growers with a steady stream of new
traits and solutions to meet changing regulations and
markets. They’ve also done a lot of work to help growers
meet premium or niche markets.
From PROSeeds, Black says the push is on to actively
seek new markets for the soybeans they’re continually
developing for Ontario soybean growers. PROSeeds is a
company under Sevita International, a supplier of identity-
preserved (IP) soybeans and soybeans with various traits.
“The food-grade soybeans that are coming through the
Sevita system are pretty exciting, with genetics that make IP
soybeans more attractive to overseas buyers,” says Black. He
cites the example of new genetics with a unique protein
percentage that will benefit overseas soy milk producers.
Black also notes PROSeeds is among the companies that
will offer the new Xtend soybean lineup in all heat unit
zones in Ontario and Quebec for the 2017 season.
Martin Harry notes that non-GMO soybean markets are
cyclical, with premiums rising and falling every few years.
“Non-GMO is a good niche for Ontario, with approxi-
mately 25 per cent of acres,” Harry says. “Ontario soybean
growers are still big in identity-preserved soybeans. The
industry is always looking for varieties with better protein
and improved food grade traits.”
Corn, too, has seen some premiums for non-GMO
corn in pockets of the province, particularly in eastern
Ontario where the new Ingredion plant has increased
demand. Ingredion makes ingredients such as sweeten-
ers for the food and beverage industry. According to a
company release, Ingredion Canada Corporation has
introduced a non-GMO corn program for eastern
Ontario, offering a premium of $25 per metric ton for
2016’s crop to be delivered in calendar year 2017. And
while it’s possible to earn a premium on non-GMO
corn, Trudell says it’s not the main reason growers opt
for non-GMO seed corn like the bags sold by De Dell.
“There’s a misconception in the industry that
conventional corn is somewhat behind or that it’s old
genetics,” says Trudell. “But the conventional market is
alive and well, and we’re still developing new conven-
tional products that the market has never seen.”
Trudell notes that in 2017 alone, De Dell is introduc-
ing six new hybrids to its 35-hybrid lineup. That’s the
most the company has introduced in a single year, and
he says it points to the innovation happening in
conventional corn. He’s also quick to point out that
grain corn is grain corn, and growers can still sell
conventional corn to any elevator, and they may still
come out ahead.
“Since we’re non-GMO, we don’t have to collect that
Ontario growers are seeing variable stands this year,
which can create challenges at harvest, says Rachel
Faust, technical marketing manager for DuPont Pioneer.
SEED REPORT