Glacier FarmMedia – In 2017, people in Canada’s seed industry felt hopeful. Private money was flowing into wheat and pulse crops and investment in variety development was expected to increase in future years. But that projected investment didn’t pan out, particularly for wheat and other cereal crops. Private firms backed away from cereal crop innovation, […] Read more
Tag Archives canadian seed trade association
Where has all the seed money gone?
Funding for new varieties has slowed to a trickle in Canada, particularly for cereal crops
Second Seeds Canada merger vote to proceed sans CSGA
Seed Growers membership had voted against amalgamation deal
A proposal to combine Canada’s seed industry groups into a single organization, to be dubbed Seeds Canada, will be subject to a new vote, this time with one less group on board. The Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA), Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA); Commercial Seed Analysts Association of Canada (CSAAC) and Canadian Seed Institute announced […] Read more
Lessons from a rejected seed deal
Seed growers found enough to avoid accepting a deal tying them to other seed groups, despite a five-year process
Glacier FarmMedia – Canada’s seed industry is taking a step back to ponder farmers’ stunning rejection of a cross-industry organization merger. “We’re disappointed,” said Lorne Hadley, executive director of the Canadian Plant Technology Agency and a key proponent of the five-organization merger idea. “This was a very, very long process.” Why it matters: Farmer concern […] Read more
Seed industry group amalgamation moves to be voted on later in summer
Seed Canada could be formed by the coming together of five organizations
Glacier FarmMedia – The Canadian seed industry is expected to vote this summer on a proposal to form a new seed organization called Seeds Canada. In a June 19 news release, the Canadian Seed Trade Association announced that five national seed industry associations are taking a step toward amalgamation. Why it matters: If the proposal […] Read more
Devitt new Grain Farmers of Ontario CEO
Organization replaces Barry Senft from within
Grain Farmers of Ontario (GFO) didn’t have to look far to find its new chief executive officer. The organization, representing barley, corn, oat, soybean, and wheat farmers in Ontario announced March 17 that Crosby Devitt is its new CEO, starting April 1. Devitt is currently vice president, strategic development at GFO. Prior to his current […] Read more
Federal seed royalty consultations remain in limbo
The federal government is looking at economic implications
Glacier FarmMedia – The future of seed royalty fees remains unclear, as does the future of Ottawa’s consultations, which were cut short last year. A federal consultation on the issue was sidelined when the Liberal government turned its attention to the 2019 federal election. Why it matters: The issue of how royalties will be charged […] Read more
Amalgamations still possible for national seed groups
The organizations have been working on the potential merger for four years
Canada’s largest seed industry organizations continue to explore amalgamations. Officials from the Canadian Seed Growers Association (CSGA) and the Canadian Seed Trade Association (CSTA) have contemplated a merger for some time. The proposed amalgamation, a key element of a larger initiative known as Seed Synergy, would also include the Canadian Plant Technology Agency (CPTA), the […] Read more
DON corn testing: A new era begins
After a disastrous vomitoxin outbreak, the Ontario Corn Committee is implementing a testing program that farmers have wanted for years. But will companies participate?
Ontario corn farmers have been relying on their own observations and those of their neighbours along with scant information from corn companies to make hybrid selections that lower their risk of vomitoxin. When they go to make their selections for 2020, however, they will have new independent disease risk numbers on which to base their […] Read more
Can royalties grow investment in cereal breeding?
Proposals would mean levies on the use of cereal seed
In an effort to increase private-sector investment in cereals research, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency have tabled two possible strategies designed to promote better returns for plant breeders. Private-sector investment in wheat and barley remains low in comparison to higher value crops such as corn, soybeans, and canola. Why it […] Read more
Plant breeders’ rights consultations started
The consultation phase on amendments to Plant Breeders’ Rights regulations has been launched. The consultation includes increasing Canadian investment in cereals research. “Everyone recognizes the need to invest in innovation in order to deliver new varieties,” said Todd Hyra, president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association. “In order to attract and retain the best plant […] Read more
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