Terry Stevenson’s Agricultural Weblog

As we roll into the long weekend marking the unofficial end to summer, plans are well under way at AGRIS Co-operative to host a series of plot tours across southwest Ontario. These tours are tentatively scheduled for the middle of September, prior to the soybean harvest so that farmers have a better opportunity to attend.

 In the spring our AGRIS Co-operative staff works with area farmers and seed companies to plant test plots of various varieties of corn and soybean seed. These plots will traditionally feature competing seed varieties in a “side by side” layout  in the field that helps to allow for direct comparison of the crop.

 Bryan Brodie who is a board Certified Crop Advisor – Ontario (CCA-ON) and our AGRIS Co-operative branch manager in Chatham, outlined for me some of the key information farmers are trying to learn from these plot tours AGRIS will be conducting. “There are a number of things we look for and try to evaluate during our review of these test plots,” says Brodie. “Where possible we inspect how a particular herbicide provided weed suppression for the crop. How did the different cross varieties perform against each other in size and overall plant health, “added Brodie. In some instances where applicable they are able to determine how a particular fungicide that was sprayed on a crop performed. “We however don’t usually try to compare the effectiveness of disease and insect control products because it is not an exact science with respect to the mobility or movement of these problems within the field itself,” says Brodie.

It is one thing for farmers to read about different crops in a publication, but the opportunity to observe first hand the various seed varieties in the field with AGRIS staff, including the actual seed company representatives and answer their questions is invaluable. Following the plot tours farmers will be invited back to a central location and listen to expert guest speakers discussing possible solutions in trying to manage the skyrocketing fertilizer prices for the 2009 crop year. The farmers’ ability to try and manage these costs is paramount for a successful and profitable crop. Final decisions on specific seed varieties and a fertility program will not be made during these plot tours, however they will provide an excellent basis for farmers to begin formulating their crop planning for 2009.

* Special thanks to Bryan Brodie CCA-ON, who is my technical agricultural resource for past, present and future columns.*

Occasionally when my personal schedule permits it, I like to treat myself to the New York Times newspaper. Among my favourite sections to read is the famous, “New York Times Editorial” which is often quoted for its enlightened perspective on not only local issues but world events. One of last Saturday’s editorials called “Corn-Phone” caught my attention.

 It’s been reported that Samsung has announced it will begin selling a new line of “eco-phones” which will contain 40 to 50 per cent bio-plastic made in part from corn. This is great news I thought to myself, however the editorial went on to basically slam this new corn-phone. One of the main reasons for the negative editorial is that it diverts corn from food production and helping to drive up food prices. This argument is getting pretty tired in my book. There are many factors involved in driving up food prices around the world with sky-rocketing price of oil being the main culprit, not corn.

 To criticize Samsung for being creative and trying to incorporate renewable crops in its products of is off the mark. Not only does it create a value added benefit for corn producers, we all benefit because it helps our environment, albeit in a small way. Is it a perfect process and will it solve all of our environmental problems, of course not. Samsung however should be applauded for its innovative thinking and the development of these eco-friendlier “corn-phones.” As research continues to evolve I am sure we will see more corn or even soybean content added to the cell phone and certainly other electronic devices that Samsung manufactures, with other companies surely to follow their lead.

 The future is not with fossil fuels but rather renewable energy from wind, wave, solar technology and row crops such as corn and soybeans. The New York Times should recognize and support efforts from companies such as Samsung to eliminate our dependency on oil based content in their products. Their simplistic negative editorial view about the corn content in cell phones and driving up food costs is badly misplaced.