Canary Seed Development Commission Holds AGM Today

Jan 15, 2020

One of the first commodity meetings today is the Canary Seed meeting this morning at Prairieland Park.

Kevin Hursh, the Executive Director the Saskatchewan Canary Seed Development Commission, says prices have been sitting around 30 cents a pound.

“I think things maybe have gotten short enough that it took more than just a few cents to pry enough Canary Seed out for the markets. And since the price hasn't collapsed after hitting that 29-30 cent plateau, it seems like we're in a little different paradigm. Of course, what the big question is … is how many acres will be seeded in 2020. What will our production be and lower prices be a year from now.”

Canary Seed producers will have an opportunity today to vote on a resolution to formally ask that canary seed be included under the Canada Grains Act.

Last year producers lost money when ILTA Grain went into Creditor Protection because Canary Seed was not covered under the CGC’s bonding program … while other crops covered under the program received 100% compensation.

Kevin Hursh the Executive Director for the Saskatchewan Canary Seed Development Commission says before voting they’ll hear from the CGC’s Chief Commissioner Patti Miller.

“This has come up at the commission level a few times in the past and the producers never really gave a clear direction that they wished for Canary seed to be covered into the licensing and bonding provisions. We're hoping that Patty can answer the question, if a formal request were to come from the commission. Will the Grain Commission work to get Canary Seed covered under the Canada Grain Act. What would that take and what would that mean for everything from grading to the licensing and bonding protection that other crops enjoys.”

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Video: How to fix a leaking pond.

Does the pond leak? Ummmm....possibly a tiny bit. Well, more than a bit...ok, the darn thing leaks like a sieve!

QUESTIONS ANSWERED: Damit is not plastic. Therefore, there are no microplastics. I wish I had not mentioned plastic, but that is a very common polymer and I mentioned it as an example of a polymer. A polymer is simply a chain of repeating molecules, or "monomers." Cellulose is a polymer of glucose molecules. Starches are also polymers of various molecules such as fructose, maltose, etc. We have many polymers inside our bodies. In other words, just knowing something is a polymer doesn't make it bad, toxic, harmful, etc. However, this also doesn't mean all polymers are safe.

The specific polymer used for Damit is a trade secret, however, it has been closely scrutinized by multiple health and safety authorities. This includes the governmental authorities of Australia, the USA, Europe, and Asia. Not only have they determined that is safe to use in earthen ponds, and not harmful to fish, but it is considered safe to use in human potable water systems in all of these areas. And of course, they know the exact makeup of the polymer when making this determination. I'm told that the same polymer is in use by many municipalities to keep potable water storage tanks leak free. I can't tell you exactly what the polymer is, because I don't know, but given the confidence with which the governmental authorities have authorized its use, I would bet it is made of a monomer that we are exposed to all the time, like fructose or something.

It also breaks down in a matter of years, and does not accumulate in the environment. The end products of breaking down are CO2, water, and base minerals like potassium. The SDS reports no need for concern with ingestion, inhalation, or contact. If in eyes, rinse with water.

End result, can I say for sure that it is 100% safe? No, I don't know exactly what it is. But given people who do know exactly what it is, and have scrutinized it, have approved it for use in human potable water systems, I'm pretty comfortable putting it in an earthen pond.