Monday 11 March and we are down to business with an overview of Ontario and Canadian agriculture firstly from Bob Seguin from the George Morris Centre spoke about the need for research and new innovation in Canadian agriculture and the effect the mining and oil industries have on the agricultural labour pool.
Next up was Mike Toombs from Ontario Ministry of Agriculture explained how the Dairy, Poultry and Egg industries are regulated by a quota system, thereby limiting production to the demand. There was some debate as to whether a system that effectively limits production was correct path to take. Mike took the view that by intoducing a quota system based on a per animal basis, it encouraged innovation in terms of increasing production per animal. I would argue that at $2500 to buy quota it is virtually impossible to get young people into the industry without a 'leg up.' So its off to the mines for work .......?
Bill Emmott the Chair of Dairy Farmers of Ontario reiterated those comments and suggested the supply management systems are only in place to put more money into farmers pockets and that the industry needs to be proud that they are profitable. A quote from Bill that sticks in my mind, 'Use the windscreen and rear view mirror based on thier size.'
Barry Senft CEO of Grain Farmers of Ontario spoke about the grain indusry in Ontario and Canada. Wheat Soya Beans and Corn are the main crops grown by around 28000 farmers. Ontario grows approximately 5m ac grain and accounts for 23% of sales. Corn yields average around 10t/ha and is fed into the livestock industry. Canada's production amounts to around 1% of the world corn production. Soya beans yield @3.19t/ha or 2% of the worlds production.Ontario's wheat is grown mainly in the west and produces 1.5m t, with Canada's total producion being 20m tonne.
All in all, the theme amongst the speakers on agriculture was for the need to be promoting agriculture and innovation, to help keep food production profitable throughout the value chain and be proud to be profitable. Seems a reasonable mission statement, but I'm sure if it were that easy everyone would be doing it ......!
I do enjoy the passion shown by agriculture in Canada and it really is infectious and invigorating.
After dinner we had the pleasure of being entertained by Ken Knox, former Deputy Minister of Agriculture with a moving account of his career and what he would do differently if he was getting a second shot at it.
Tuesday morning and first up we hear from Dr Gord Surgeoner, beginning with him showing us the Dodge pick up Commercial, So God Made A Farmer on You Tube. Then went on to talk about crop residues and how they fit into manufacturing.
Hamdy Khalil went on to speak about the role of bio plastics in the automotive industry, with several car makers now using components made from crop residue, including seat foam and headrests.
Hensell Grain Co op and Bioplastics were the topic of the afternoon. We climbed on to two buses and traveled out to Hensell,some two hours west of Geulph to have a tour and meet with representatives of the Hensell grain Co op.
Set up by farmers in 1937 , it has around 4200 shareholders and is still run by a board consisting of farmers only. There has been some diversification of the Co op over the years with chemical and fertiliser sales and application being offered as well as grain storage, handling and marketing.
The largest part of the business is the storage cleaning and packing of up to 100,000 tonnes of GM free and identity preserved Soya Beans. With 83% of Canadian Beans and 95% of US Beans now GM, it is becoming more difficult to source the tonnage that is required.
Hamdy Khalil went on to speak about the role of bio plastics in the automotive industry, with several car makers now using components made from crop residue, including seat foam and headrests.
Hensell Grain Co op and Bioplastics were the topic of the afternoon. We climbed on to two buses and traveled out to Hensell,some two hours west of Geulph to have a tour and meet with representatives of the Hensell grain Co op.
Set up by farmers in 1937 , it has around 4200 shareholders and is still run by a board consisting of farmers only. There has been some diversification of the Co op over the years with chemical and fertiliser sales and application being offered as well as grain storage, handling and marketing.
The largest part of the business is the storage cleaning and packing of up to 100,000 tonnes of GM free and identity preserved Soya Beans. With 83% of Canadian Beans and 95% of US Beans now GM, it is becoming more difficult to source the tonnage that is required.
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| These two dogs belong to my 11 year old daughter Molly Wilkins and are following me on my journey and will give updates throughout the year ! |
Next stop was with Don Nott an innovative farmer who is involved in bio plastics and the plant production associated with that. It started with growing a crop called switchgrass, which is a tall grass that is grown to maturity and then left over winter for the lignin and chlorophyl to break down. This also releases the nutrients back to the soil, as they have no value in terms of the manufacture of custom boards etc.
Several methods have been used to streamline the process since production began. He was originaly making bio plastic pots, pictured below, until the market disappeared and Don was forced to look at alternatives and is now focusing on fibreboard and the like. He currently has a couple more 'commercially sensitive' projects in the pipeline.
To round out the day, we were treated to dinner at Anna Mae's Cafe, which is run by a Mennonite community. With a menu of beef, turkey and a range of fresh vegetables topped off by any kind of pie you can think of, we were very well looked after.
Several methods have been used to streamline the process since production began. He was originaly making bio plastic pots, pictured below, until the market disappeared and Don was forced to look at alternatives and is now focusing on fibreboard and the like. He currently has a couple more 'commercially sensitive' projects in the pipeline.
To round out the day, we were treated to dinner at Anna Mae's Cafe, which is run by a Mennonite community. With a menu of beef, turkey and a range of fresh vegetables topped off by any kind of pie you can think of, we were very well looked after.
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| Team Kiwi at Hensell Grain Co op |
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