Terry Stevenson’s Agricultural Weblog

I had the opportunity this week to attend a presentation about an eBusiness in Agriculture Report that was hosted by the Canadian Agri-Marketing Association at the Cutten Club in Guelph. This report was completed by IPSOS FORWARD RESEARCH and is repeated every two years and represents more than 1000 farmers from the prairies, Ontario and Quebec. The base criterion was that the farmers had to have more than $50,000 in annual sales in order to participate in the survey.

The results demonstrated that farmers as a group were keeping pace with their internet usage as much as urban folks. The biggest single factor identified as the catalyst for farmers increased internet activity has been the rapid expansion of high-speed service, particularly in rural areas. There are still pockets where high-speed internet service is not available, but this is changing rapidly with almost all provinces having commitments to establish access for everyone by 2011.

Some interesting survey results (random)

1)      More than 53 per cent read a blog

2)      More than 53 per cent watch streaming video

3)      33 per cent visit social networks – chat rooms (modern coffee shops)

4)      More than 55 per cent reported purchasing products online in the last 12 months

5)      82 per cent use the internet to view their financial statements

6)      Farmers spend on average more than 8.5 hours a week on the internet

Some of the conclusions reached by researchers are that the internet is the mainstream tool for commercial farmers and e-mail is the most cost effective way for suppliers and or advertisers to reach them. Farmers are also looking for ways to electronically interact with their chosen suppliers providing convenience for them in business transactions.

As identified in the survey results farmers are avid readers of blogs and watching streaming video. As our newspapers continue to experience a downward trend in readership and advertisers and suppliers are increasingly finding it more difficult to reach their farm customers, the internet is proving to be fertile ground for them to expand their communication skills. These survey results confirm that not only do farmers adapt to new technology – they embrace it!

The debate over genetically modified crops, especially for wheat is heating up again. This recent escalation in opposing viewpoints started when three wheat organizations from Australia, Canada and the United States made a joint announcement that they would begin working towards “synchronized commercialization of biotech traits in wheat.” 

This announcement has brought a chorus of condemnation from many groups and organizations around the world. Many of those opposed to this step of genetically modifying wheat are in fact farmers themselves. The arguments that both sides put forward are very powerful.

 Those in favour of genetically modifying wheat state that the declining wheat acres being grown is in part because of competition from other biotech crops (corn and soybeans) and stagnant yields in comparison to other crops over the past number of years. This has resulted in a reduction in wheat production and overall wheat research. Those in favour also point out that a result of genetically modified crops is a reduction in crop protection products that are applied which is better for the enviroment. 

 On the other side, opposing opinions argue that the current generation of genetically modified crops has yet to prove that there are any significant yield advantages. Some opponents like to point their finger at Monsanto as some kind of purveyor of monster genetics and mostly motivated by the almighty dollar. Still many question the integrity of the science and research results that have been conducted to date on genetically modified crops. There is no question that food safety is at the top of consumers’ minds today and any food genetically modified or not must be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to be safe for the environment and to eat.

 One common thread that runs through both sides of this debate is passion. While passion is an admirable quality when making a case for your point of view, the danger lies in that  it can sometimes make a person become blind to the facts being presented by the other side.

 This past fall I had the opportunity to tour Monsanto’s research facilities in St. Louis, Missouri. The scientists and researchers I met there were very passionate about their work, finding solutions to assist farmers in increasing crop production and help feed the world. I work for two farmer-owned agricultural co-operatives’, AGRIS and Wanstead Farmers. I can assure you that these farmers are just as passionate about growing their crops, maximizing yield potentials and feeding the world.

 Both sides in this debate make excellent points supporting their respective points of view. I certainly don’t have the perfect answer to settle this hotly contested debate. I do think that considering scientifically based facts is usually the best direction to take in helping to resolve these types of issues.

 Science can address some the key arguments;

1)      will genetically modified wheat result in higher yields?

2)       is it economical for farmers to grow and consumers to purchase?

3)       is it safe for the environment and human consumption?

 Moral arguments can and will be made against scientific facts that are established in the case of genetically modified organisms. Science does not take sides and provides us all with proven facts that will hopefully allow opposing groups to come to a reasonable consensus on the future of genetically modified wheat.