cktimes.ca Archives for Agrilink
Agrilink
SCIENTISTS FIND OZONE LEVELS ALREADY AFFECTING SOYBEAN YIELDS
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
From the ARS News ServiceCurrent atmospheric ozone levels are already suppressing soybean yields, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists and university cooperators studying the effect of global climate change on crops.
ARS plant physiologists Don Ort and Carl Bernacchi, molecular biologist Lisa Ainsworth and geneticist Randall Nelson have been working with University of Illinois scientists on a project called “SoyFACE”—short for Soybean Free Air Concentration Enrichment—to measure how the projected increases in carbon dioxide (CO2) and ozone will affect soybean production. This research supports the U.S. Department of Agriculture priority of responding to climate change.
In their studies, the scientists found that soybean yields increase by about 12 percent at the elevated CO2 levels predicted for the year 2050 (550 parts per million)—only half of what previous studies estimated. They also found that increased ozone is quite harmful to soybean yields, reducing them by about 20 percent.
In addition, current levels of ozone are already suppressing soybean yields by up to 15 percent, according to Ort, who is also research leader of the ARS Photosynthesis Research Unit in Urbana, Ill.
These results led the scientists to examine the combined effects of CO2 and ozone changes on soybeans. They found that elevated CO2 partially offsets the ozone damage, confirming general results obtained with open-top chamber studies conducted at other ARS laboratories.
The ability of SoyFACE technology to test effects of CO2 and ozone in the open air, without the environmental modifications caused by the chambers themselves, means greater confidence in understanding how plants respond in the real world, including the actual estimates of impact on crop yields, according to Ort. FACE technology was first used for crop research by ARS scientists in Maricopa, Ariz., and cooperators.
There is much more to be learned about how other interacting factors that affect ozone uptake may come into play by mid-century. Results from these studies will help breeders develop soybean varieties better adapted to the changing climate.
Read more about this research in the November/December 2009 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.
MONSANTO SPEEDS SEED PLANS, REASSURES INVESTORS
11/11/09
From STLtoday.com
Monsanto Co. said it will speed up the availability of higher yielding biotech corn and soybean seed as the company aims to meet ambitious profit goals laid out two years ago.
Creve Coeur-based Monsanto will offer more than 4 million acres of its SmartStax corn and up to 10 million acres of its Roundup Ready2Yield soybeans in 2010. The company had previously said availability of SmartStax corn would be limited to 3 to 4 million acres and the new soybeans to 7 to 8 million acres.
The new biotech seeds will be available to all U.S. growers by 2012, a year ahead of schedule, executives said Tuesday.
The announcement kicked off Monsanto's biennial investor conference in Research Triangle Park, N.C., where the company operates a new research center. It is the first such meeting since CEO Hugh Grant promised to double the company's 2007 gross profit in five years.
Grant said the key to meeting that goal lies in the company's seed business. More specifically, it depends on the willingness of farmers to trade up to new, more expensive biotech corn and soybean seeds. The other key to meeting the profit goal is greater adoption of biotech traits by growers in Latin America, he said.
"The elephant in the room is 'Can Monsanto deliver in 2010? Can Monsanto deliver in 2011? Can they really double gross profit by 2012?' The answer is 'yes,'" he said.
EUROPE REJECTS GE CORN BUT AUSTRALIA HAS 'NO CONCERNS'
11/11/09
From the Sydney Morning Herald
A genetically engineered corn authorised by the Australian food regulator as safe for human consumption has been withdrawn from Europe because of safety concerns.
Monsanto has pulled its commercial development application for high lysine LY038 corn, originally intended only as feed for animals, after the European Food Safety Authority questioned the safety studies already conducted by the company and used by Food Standards Australia New Zealand to approve the GE corn in 2006.
Rather than conduct additional research as the European authority requested, Monsanto decided to abandon its bid to introduce the corn to the European market.
FSANZ has subsequently come under attack for its approval of the corn by the University of Canterbury's centre for integrated research in biosafety in New Zealand. The research's leader, Professor Jack Heinemann, a prominent anti-GE campaigner, said FSANZ ignored the centre's detailed scientific analysis conducted over two years by 10 biosafety researchers and instead 'shopped around' for alternative opinions which would cast a more favourable light on the corn's safety. Other countries which have approved LY038 include Canada, South Korea, the Philippines and Japan.
Although the crop has yet to be grown here commercially, Monsanto Australia told the Herald there were no immediate plans to withdraw from the local market. The product had been withdrawn in Europe purely for commercial reasons, the Monsanto spokeswoman said, an assertion FSANZ repeated in a statement issued to the Herald yesterday.
STRESSING AGRICULTURE’S NEED FOR INVESTMENT
11/13/09
This week's commentary comes from Bette Jean Crews, President, Ontario Federation of Agriculture
All of Ontario’s Members of Provincial Parliament will be hearing from representatives of Ontario agriculture in the coming weeks. It’s part of a campaign being staged by the Ontario Agriculture Sustainability Coalition.
In a letter to all MPPs, we point out that “a strong and diverse agriculture sector can sustain our rural communities, provide healthy locally produced food for Ontarians, contribute to an improved environment and reduce the environmental footprint of the food we eat while accelerating our economy to help make Ontario a stronger and more vibrant province.”
It won’t be a surprise if urban MPPs get back to us to report they don’t have farmers in their riding and therefore aren’t interested in the campaign. When this reason is given, all participants in the campaign will quickly remind them their constituents likely eat food, and if farmers aren’t given adequate public support, the local food supply will be in jeopardy. What other single issue affects every one of their constituents?
Coalition members will also remind our MPPs that today’s agriculture is so much more than food. Farming today provides opportunities for a cleaner environment, green energy sources such as biomass and wind, solar energy, and a vast supply of products capable of being converted to medicinal and consumer products.
The letter that went to MPPs reminds them that Ontario is losing its competitive position within Canada as other provinces introduce programs to help their farmers. “Without immediate action, our respective sectors will face irreparable harm that will snowball to significant and long-term impacts on our economy and communities,” the coalition warns.
Members of the coalition are Grain Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association, Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association, Ontario Pork, Ontario Veal, and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
We want the MPPs to understand that these organizations have developed solutions to the industry’s problems. They must also appreciate that the solutions require government investments – “investments that will help Ontario’s economy to recover and become stronger. Without them, our economy will suffer further damage.”
Our presentation to the MPPs will assure them agriculture and its leaders are fully aware of the government’s deficit situation.
The coalition has also told MPPs: “a strategic investment in agriculture is known to pay significant dividends. Not only will it save our farming economy today, it will also sustain our communities and the critical mass of infrastructure needed to keep farming alive and healthy in the future.”
The value and importance of the “critical mass” needs to be highlighted for the MPPs.
This critical mass includes everything from the network of equipment dealers and repair shops, to the veterinarians, sales barns, abattoirs, grain elevators and grain handling facilities located throughout the province. Once this critical mass starts to disappear, it is the beginning of the end for agriculture, and ultimately the demise of our rural economy.
NEEDED: CUSTOM FARMWORK OPERATORS
11/16/09
From the Ontario Soil & Crop
The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is preparing to complete the Custom Farmwork Report on rates charged in 2009.
Your participation would be much appreciated. Over 300 custom operators helped make the 2006 report a success!
Why should you complete the report?
The Custom Farmwork Report Summary is used by farmers and custom operators alike as a reference in planning and operating their businesses. A copy of the 2009 Report Summary will be mailed to each person who completes the report form.
How do you participate?
If you provide custom farmwork services and are interested in participating please contact John Molenhuis at john.molenhuis@ontario.ca or 613 475-9472 to be added to the mailing list. Report forms will be mailed out in early December.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To view these articles online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._scoops.cfm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AgriLink Upcoming Events
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Event - “HOW TO START A FOOD BUSINESS” SEMINAR Date - November 17, 2009 Time - 9:00 AM Place - 265 Front Street North, Sarnia Contact Name - Jeanny at 519-332-1820 Email - jeanny@sarnialambton.on.ca Website - http://www.sarnialambton.on.ca/documents/Food_b...1172009.pdf
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ridgetown Biodiesel Workshop (One Day) Date - November 17, 2009 Place - Engineering Shop, Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Dr. Rex Newkirk, CIGI-204-983-2031 Website - www.cigi.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ridgetown Biodiesel Workshop (Two Day) Date - November 18,2009 to November 19, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Engineering Shop, Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Dr. Rex Newkirk, CIGI-204-983-2031 Website - www.cigi.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - CFFO Annual Convention, Date - November 18, 2009 Place - St. George Banquet Hall, Waterloo Website - http://www.christianfarmers.org/
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 63rd Annual Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce Rural Urban Dinner Date - November 19, 2009 Time - 5:30 PM Place - Kinsmen Auditorium, Chatham Contact Name - (519) 352-7540 ext. 21 Email - info@chatham-kentchamber.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - LAMBTON FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE ANNUAL BANQUET AND MEETING Date - November 20, 2009 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Fairgrounds Contact Name - LFA office at 519-828-5028
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - OFA Convention Date - November 23, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Doubletree by Hilton - Toronto Airport Website - http://www.ofa.on.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - “AGRICULTURAL SOLUTIONS FOR ENERGY: BIOMASS” Date - November 24, 2009 Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - www.research2receptor.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Bounty of the County Trade Show, 59th Annual Essex County Associated Growers Date - November 24,2009 to November 25, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Leamington Kinsmen Recreation Complex, 249 Sherk St. Contact Name - Associated Growers - 519-326-4481 Email - ecag@bellnet.ca Website - www.bountyofthecounty.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Agricultural Solutions for Energy: Biomass Date - November 24, 2009 Time - 11:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Campus Website - http://www.research2receptor.com/ridgetown.html
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Poultry Industry Council’s Producer Update Date - November 24, 2009 Time - 10:00 AM Place - Broadhagen Community Centre Contact Name - Poultry Industry Council, 519- 837-0284 Website - www.poultryindustrycouncil.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - National Farmers Union Convention Date - November 26,2009 to November 28, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Ottawa Website - www.nfu.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting for Kent, Day Two-Dec. 3 Date - November 26, 2009 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Ridgetown Contact Name - Ron Faubert 519-352-1285 Email - kent@ontariosoilcrop.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ontario Sheep Marketing Agency 2009 Annual General Meeting Date - November 27,2009 to November 28, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Cambridge Holiday Inn - 200 Holiday Inn Drive, Cambridge ON Contact Name - Bill Duffield
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Chatham Chapter CAFA Meeting Date - December 2, 2009 Time - 7:30 AM Place - Chatham, The Satellite Restaurant, 145 King St Email - ron.vandehogen@sunlife.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - District 1 Sheep Pot Luck Christmas Party Date - December 3, 2009 Time - 7:00 PM Place - Christian Reform Church, Wyoming Contact Name - Bill Duffield
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Essex-Day Two-Dec. 14 Date - December 7, 2009 Place - Essex Contact Name - Ernie Konrad, 519-825-4588 Email - essex@ontariosoilcrop.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm Market Expo Date - December 8,2009 to December 10, 2009 Time - All Day Event Place - Grand Rapids, Michigan Website - http://www.glexpo.com/index.php
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Innovative Farmers Marketing Meeting with John Deputter Date - December 8, 2009 Time - 9:30 PM Place - Cambridge Hotel and Conference Centre, Hwy 401 & 24 Contact Name - 519-986-3560 Website - www.ifao.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Elgin Federation of Agriculture Annual Meeting Date - December 10, 2009 Time - 8:00 PM Place - Elgin County Administration Building, 450 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 31ST FARM FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND TAX SEMINAR Date - December 14, 2009 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Brooke Alvinston Inwood Community Complex Alvinston, Ontario Contact Name - Telephone: (519) 336-9900 Fax: (519) 332-4828 Email - bmacintyre@bdo.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Southwest Agricultural Conference Date - January 6,2010 to January 7, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre
519 674 1596
Website - www.southwestagconference.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 2010 CCA Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Certified Crop Advisors Annual Conference Date - January 13,2010 to January 14, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London, Best Western Lamplighter Inn, Wellington Road
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Essex Date - January 25, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - St. John's Parish Hall, Woodslee
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Annual Meeting-Middlesex Date - January 26, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Coldstream Community Centre
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Elgin/Norfolk Date - January 27, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Tillsonburg Community Centre
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Kent Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 9:00 AM Place - Countryview Golf Course, Oungah
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Grain Farmers of Ontario, Lambton Date - January 28, 2010 Time - 6:00 PM Place - Wyoming Legion
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Feb. 9 Date - February 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Email - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 2010 OSCIA Annual Meeting Date - February 2,2010 to February 3, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Sheraton Fallsview, Niagara Falls
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - National Farm Machinery Show Date - February 10,2010 to February 13, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Louisville, KY Website - http://www.farmmachineryshow.org
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Canadian International Farm Show Date - February 17,2010 to February 19, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - International Centre, Toronto Website - http://www.canadianfarmshow.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - South Western Ontario Pork Conference Date - February 17, 2010 Place - Ridgetown Campus Contact Name - Ag Business Centre 519 674 1596
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Ontario Fruit & Vegetable Convention Date - February 24,2010 to February 25, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Brock University, St. Catharines Website - http://www.ofvc.ca/
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - New York Farm Show Date - February 25,2010 to February 27, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Syracuse, NY Website - http://www.newyorkfarmshow.com
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Environmental Farm Plan Meeting-Lambton-Day Two-Mar. 9 Date - March 2, 2010 Time - 9:30 AM Place - Wyoming Legion Contact Name - OSCIA at 519-826-4214 Website - www.ontariosoilcrop.org/EFP/EFP.htm
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - 4th Annual Growing the Margins Conference Date - March 8,2010 to March 12, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - London Convention Centre Contact Name - First Stage Enterprises; 416-426-7029 Website - www.gtmconference.ca
-------------------------------------------------------
Event - Western Fair Farm Show Date - March 10, 2010 Time - All Day Event Place - Western Fair Grounds, London Contact Name - (800) 619-4629 or (519) 438-7203 Website - http://www.westernfair.com/shows/farm.html
-------------------------------------------------------
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To view these listings online, please visit us on the web at
http://www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink/agrilink..._events.cfm
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
John Jordan
Editor, AgriLink and Farm Market News
University of Guelph, Ridgetown Campus
Tel. 519-674-1577
Fax. 519-674-1530
E-mail: jjordan@ridgetownc.uoguelph.ca
AgriLink website : www.ridgetownc.com/agrilink
