BIOAMBER TO OPEN NEW MARKETS FOR ONTARIO FARMERS
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
From a release Guelph – The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is pleased with yesterday’s BioAmber announcement to proceed with the construction of a world class bio-processing plant in Sarnia, Ontario. BioAmber will source local feedstock including corn and wheat beginning in 2013 to produce bio-succinic acid, used in food and beverages, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
“This is wonderful news for the local economy,” says Mark Wales, OFA President. “In addition to the jobs that will be created, local sourcing of feedstock enhances transportation logistics and reduces costs.”
Once BioAmber is running at full production, it will create a new opportunity for the marketing of corn and wheat for Ontario farmers. The company’s initial grain requirement isequivalent to 15,000 to 20,000 acres of production per year. The green chemistry involved in BioAmber’s processes will also support the manufacturing of other products in the Sarnia industrial complex, making the complex a more robust offering overall.
“Ontario farmers have proven their ability to produce high quality crops in a sustainable manner,” says Wales. “Farmers are committed to programs such as the Environmental Farm Plan, and we are proud to see our environmental efforts carry through the value chain.”
This initiative supports Ontario producers’ efforts to find new markets for biomass crops for energy, bio-products or bio-processing. Since 2010, OFA has been examining opportunities to enhancebiomass value chain initiatives based on funding received under the “Generate Energy for Ontario by Developing an Innovative Agricultural Biomass Value Chain Sector” project. Investment in this project has been provided by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada through the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP). In Ontario, this program is delivered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council.
KFA AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY 05/18/12
From a release
The Kent Federation of Agriculture (KFA) is again offering two scholarship opportunities. Realizing the importance of post secondary education in the agriculture business the KFA is pleased to offer two scholarship opportunities.
Each scholarship will be for $1,000 and each recipient must be from the family of an Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) member in Chatham-Kent - which equates to a KFA member. There are approximately 2,000 KFA members in Chatham-Kent. Students must be enrolled in an agriculture related program. Students may be entering their 1, 2, 3 or 4th year of any agriculture related program.
Application forms are available from the KFA office. Deadline for application form remittance is August 31, 2012. The KFA scholarship selection committee will evaluate all applications. For more information or for an application form please contact any KFA board member or the KFA office at 519-674-1500 ext 63595 or email kent@ofa.on.ca Application forms may also be found at www.ofa.on.ca/kent under events.
AGRILINK FACTOID 05/22/12
Did you know? The US. Consumed 12.6 billion gallons of ethanol last year, compared with 5 billion gallons in Brazil, 2.7 billion in the European Union and 590 million gallons in China.
BUSINESS CASE FOR ENERGY CROPS EXPECTED TO IMPROVE 05/18/12
This week's guest commentary comes from Owen Roberts
I’m among that crowd of Canadians who feel they’re getting taken to the cleaners by Big Oil, while governments stand by and collect tax on inflated gas prices.
Greed is the only reason that’s emerging after last week’s mean-spirited spike at the pumps. Other excuses — such as switching from winter to summer gas, problems in the Middle East and shortages due to refineries closing — have been written off as lame by industry experts.
Some people say complaining about the price of gas is like a junkie complaining about the price of dope. But I don’t accept that. Mass transit works well in many situations, but it doesn’t always fit the bill in an expansive country such as ours. In many case, driving a vehicle is a necessity.
Periodically, advances are made in renewable fuel, an energy source that’s already arrived and shows great promise for further refinement. Efforts are underway in labs and facilities across the country, including the University of Guelph, to create and improve reasonably priced bio-based fuels and products made from feedstocks, or biomass, which can be grown in Canadian farmers’ fields. As an example, a consortium of 10 scientists from seven Ontario universities came together last month, led by Guelph-based Ontario Agri-Food Technologies, to form what they’ve called the Ontario Biomaterials A-team, to zero-in on these opportunities.
Biomass production comes with its own critics who say using land to grow crops for energy is diverting it away from food production. Others say it’s not and argue farmers should be able to grow whatever they want. It’s their land. We need to recognize that despite whatever altruistic image we have of farmers — stoic, humble, serving society first — they must make a profit on whatever they grow. If we won’t pay them a reasonable price to grow food, then who can blame them for growing more lucrative crops that are turned into renewable energy, particularly if they help lessen our dependence on Big Oil and prove to be easier on the environment?
For farmers, the price of biomass has been a problem. Traditionally, they’ve been able to sell corn headed to ethanol production for a decent price. But it turns out other feedstocks — miscanthus, switchgrass, sorghum and tall prairie grass, in particular — can also produce profitable energy, according to a new report released last week. The report, Assessment of the Business Case for Purpose-Grown Biomass in Ontario, says farmers here have the potential to grow “hundreds of thousands of tonnes” of these crops. And more importantly, they can fetch a margin comparable to that of traditional cash crops, such as corn, wheat and soybeans.
That’s a significant finding. Profitability is relative compared to some other forms of energy, says Don Hewson, managing director of the Bowman Centre for Technology Commercialization in London, which had a lead role in the study. In local markets, he says, biomass is less than half the cost of heating oil and propane, which now supplies a large portion of rural Ontario. Indeed, space heating applications, using heating oil and propane, are potentially profitable markets for purpose-grown biomass pellets in Ontario.
Hewson admits large energy utilities are currently best served by coal or natural gas. But, he adds, in the near term other opportunities could arise such as agricultural biomass exports to Europe. The business case for energy crops is expected to improve even more as additional acreage is grown, especially as research in plant breeding and advances in production practices help increase yields.
“There is a future for the purpose-grown biomass industry,” says the report. “Farmers are encouraged to include these crops in Ontario’s agricultural system.”
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
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TekTalk
CORN IS LOOKING GOOD-WEED CONTROL A PRIORITY-OMAFRA 05/18/12
From the OMAFRA Field Crop Report
Corn: Greg Stewart
Corn planting is 95 % complete across the province. Emergence is good to excellent in most areas with the majority of the corn in the 1-3 leaf stage. Weed control should be the priority as the crop approaches the critical 3-4 leaf stage. Cutworm injury has been reported in some areas south of London. Scout fields that had significant weed growth before planting. Guidelines for post-emerge UAN application: 1) UAN (fan nozzle) and herbicide - max. 2 leaf corn, 2) UAN (fan nozzle) no herbicide - max. 3 leaf corn, 3) UAN (streamer nozzle) - max. 6 leaf corn. Loss of N through volatilization will be greater if surface applied UAN does not receive rainfall to incorporate into the soil. Possible strategies are: 1) delay application until rainfall is more likely, 2) apply additional N (15%) to compensate for losses, 3) add a urease inhibitor (i.e. Agrotain) to reduce volatilization losses or 4) switch application strategies to sidedress injection.
Cereals: Peter Johnson/Scott Banks
Winter cereals are far ahead of normal development. Rye and barley are in full head, advanced wheat fields are at head emergence. Combines need to be ready to harvest two weeks earlier than ever before. Dry weather and low fusarium risk has some growers questioning the need for fusarium control. Remember that the fusarium fungicides Caramba and Prosaro give foliar leaf disease control and improve straw yields and quality, along with reduced fusarium and DON concentrations in the grain. Leaf disease pressure remains low with some powdery mildew pressure. Aphid populations are building in wheat fields along the Lake Erie shoreline. Scout!
Spring cereals continue to progress with early fields at first node (GS 31). Many producers are waiting to apply herbicides to get more value from the fungicide application. Early fungicides have little yield impact in spring cereals. If weed pressure is significant, or grass weeds are an issue, this decision may cost growers in lost yield potential.
Soybeans: Horst Bohner
Fifty to sixty per cent of the crop is now seeded. Some producers are finished. Very early planted beans have emerged. Under cool conditions it can take 30 days for beans to emerge. In warm temperatures beans can emerge in 4 to 7 days. Crusting has been a problem in a few areas, but not significant problem so far. If fields were not rolled right after seeding, make sure to check how much growth there is on the seedling before rolling. Beans should not be rolled during the hook stage of emergence. If the beans are close to emergence wait for the unifoliate stage before rolling.
ENTOMOLOGIST REPORTS ON WEEVILS, ARMYWORMS AND CUTWORMS 05/22/12
From FCC Express, by Trudy Kelly Forsythe
Tom Cowan, a field crop entomologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Agriculture Development Branch in Ridgetown, Ont., reports finding alfalfa weevils causing damage in some alfalfa stands.
"Considering that some alfalfa fields are hurting from frost damage, some produces may consider holding off on the first cut to let the plants build up more reserves in the crown," Cowan wrote in an update in the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association's May Crop-Pest newsletter. "Typically, cutting is a good method of control and is done before weevil populations get too high.
"If the stand needs to be left longer, then monitoring for weevil populations should be done to determine if treatment thresholds are reached prior to cutting, especially in fields with a history of alfalfa weevil damage."
Cowan recommends growers consider applying an insecticide if there is 40 per cent leaf-tip feeding, with two or three active weevils per stem and more than seven to 10 days to the preferred harvest date.
"If you find less than one active larvae per stem, no treatment is needed, but keep monitoring the situation," he wrote. "Action will be required if you find two larvae per stem and the alfalfa is less than 40 centimetres high.
"If you find more than three larvae per stem, immediate action is needed."
For more information, growers can visit:
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub812/3weevil.htm.
Cowan wrote there are also some reports of true armyworm catches in Illinois and Pennsylvania, indicating Ontario should be seeing some adults soon, if they are not already here. He recommends growers start scouting for this pest soon considering this spring's weather conditions.
More information on true army worm and scouting techniques can be found at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub811/13cereal.htm#tarmyworm.
Finally, Cowan recommends growers start scouting for black cutworm as soon as their corn is up.
PIONEER HI-BRED WILL SELL SOYBEANS BY SEED COUNT 05/18/12
From a Release
Chatham – Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, will sell its soybean products by seed count per unit, rather than by weight, beginning in the fall of 2012 for varieties sold throughout Canada and the U.S. for the 2013 planting season. The number of soybean seeds sold per unit by Pioneer will be 140,000.
Pioneer customers will benefit from buying by seed count with a simplified, convenient and more accurate means of planning their soybean crop.
“Pioneer’s move to consistent seed count packaging is in direct response to our customers’ wants and needs, providing greater ease and accuracy of field-by-field planting,” says Ian Grant, President, Pioneer Hi-Bred Limited.
Prior to this change, Pioneer sold soybean seeds by weight (fifty pounds of seed equals one unit). Soybean seeds can potentially vary in size, based on genetics and growing conditions, affecting the number of seeds per unit. With this change to selling by count, the number of seeds per unit will be consistent for Pioneer customers.
Pioneer® brand soybeans will continue to be sold in traditional paper bags, PROBOX® units and jumbo bags, as well as through PROBulk® systems.
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To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
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AgriLink Upcoming Events
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Event - Advanced Options Workshop and Webinar Date - May 24, 2012 Time - 2:00 PM Place - RBC Dominion Securities Inc. , 95 King Street South, 3rd Floor, Waterloo, ON Contact Name - Michael Tregunna CIM | Associate Advisor, 1-866-989-0997
Website - www.bertcaputo.ca
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Event - Resident Attraction & Retention Workshop Date - May 30, 2012 Place - Middlesex County Building, Middlesex Room, 399 Ridout Street North, London Contact Name - Sabrina Langill, County of Middlesex, 519-434-7321 Email - info@investinmiddlesex.ca Website - http://www.investinmiddlesex.ca/events/resident-attraction-retention-workshop
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Event - Tourism Middlesex Annual General Meeting Date - June 1, 2012 Time - 10:00 AM Place - 137 Frank Street, Strathroy Contact Name - Sheila, Devost, Tourism Manager, 519-245-895, Toll Free: 1-855-245-8951 Email - sheila@tourmiddlesex.ca Website - www.tourmiddlesex.ca
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Event - Energrow: Feed, Fuel and Freedom Date - June 5, 2012 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Camlachie Community Centre, 6767 Camlachie Rd., Camlachie, ON N0N 1E0
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Event - CAFA Conference Date - June 7, 2012 Place - Woodstock Contact Name - Liz Robertson, 877-474-2871 Email - info@cafanet.com Website - www.cafanet.com
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Event - FWIO Provincial Conference Date - June 8,2012 to June 10, 2012 Place - Ridgetown Campus
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Event - FWIO Provincial Conference Date - June 8,2012 to June 10, 2012 Place - Ridgetown Campus
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Event - Ontario Pork Congress. Date - June 19,2012 to June 20, 2012 Place - Stratford Website - http://www.porkcongress.on.ca/
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Event - On-Farm Food Safety Workshop Date - June 19, 2012 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus, Agronomy Building Contact Name - Agricultural Information Contact Centre @ 1-877-424-1300
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Event - RCMP Musical Ride Date - June 21, 2012 Place - REACH Huron, Clinton Website - www.reachhuron.ca
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Event - SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Day Date - July 4, 2012 Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - www.diagnosticdays.ca
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Event - SouthWest Crop Diagnostic Day Date - July 5, 2012 Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - www.diagnosticdays.ca
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Event - FarmSmart Expo Date - July 12, 2012 Time - 8:45 AM Place - Elora Research Station Website - www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/expo
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Event - Canada's Fruit & Veg X-Change Date - July 12,2012 to July 14, 2012 Place - St. Williams Website - www.fruitveg.ca
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Event - Growing Your Farm Profits Workshop – Business Development for Farm Business, Day 2-July 19 Date - July 12, 2012 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Middlesex County – location to be announced Contact Name - Margaret May, 519-287-5334 Website - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/workshops
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Event - FarmSmart Expo Youth Day Date - July 13, 2012 Time - 8:45 AM Place - Elora Research Station Website - www.uoguelph.ca/farmsmart/expo
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Event - 4-H Conference Career Sen$e Date - July 23,2012 to July 27, 2012 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Guelph Website - http://www.4-hontario.ca/youth/opportunities/conferences/default.aspx
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Event - Multi-Disciplinary Advising Workshop for Farm Business Advisors Date - July 26, 2012 Time - 8:30 AM Place - London
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Event - Multi-Disciplinary Advising Workshop for Farm Business Advisors Date - July 27, 2012 Time - 8:30 AM Place - Guelph
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Event - Conference Beef Sen$e Date - August 9,2012 to August 11, 2012 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Guelph Website - http://www.4-hontario.ca/youth/opportunities/conferences/default.aspx
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Event - 4-H Conference Crop Sen$e Date - August 23,2012 to August 25, 2012 Time - 1:00 PM Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - http://www.4-hontario.ca/youth/opportunities/conferences/default.aspx
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Event - Multi-Disciplinary Advising Workshop for Farm Business Advisors Date - August 27, 2012 Time - 8:30 AM Place - Kemptville
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Event - Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show Date - September 11,2012 to September 13, 2012 Place - Canada’s Outdoor Park, Woodstock, ON Website - http://www.outdoorfarmshow.com/
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Event - 2012 International Plowing Match Date - September 18,2012 to September 22, 2012 Place - Waterloo Region, Website - http://www.ipm2012.ca/
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To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
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John Jordan
Editor, AgriLink and Farm Market News
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
Tel. 519-674-1500 x 63577
Fax. 519-674-1530
E-mail: jjordan@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
AgriLink website : www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink
