Corn Planted At 94%

For the week ending May 31, 2015, limted rainfall over the eastern half of the State allowed producers to get back to spring planting activities, while wet conditions in the west continued to hinder fieldwork, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures averaged two degrees below normal. The cool, wet conditions were favorable for disease development in wheat, with some producers applying fungicide. Alfalfa harvest progressed slowly, as producers awaited clear conditions. Pastures continued to improve and rated better than last year.

 

 

 

 

There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 4 percent very short, 9 short, 72 adequate, and 15 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 16 short, 76 adequate, and 11 surplus.

 

 

 

 

Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 4 poor, 31 fair, 58 good, and 7 excellent. Corn planted was at 94 percent, behind 99 for both last year and the five-year average. Emerged was at 83 percent, behind 88 last year, but near 85 average.

Video: Why Invest in Canada’s Seed Future? | On The Brink: Episode 3

Darcy Unger just invested millions to build a brand-new seed plant on his farm in Stonewall, Manitoba so when it’s time for his sons to take over, they have the tools they need to succeed.

Right now, 95% of the genetics they’ll be growing come from Canadian plant breeders.

That number matters.

When fusarium hit Western Canada in the late 90s, it was Canadian breeders who responded, because they understood Canadian conditions. That ability to react quickly to what’s happening on Canadian farms is exactly what’s at risk when breeding programs lose funding.

For farmers like Darcy, who have made generational investments based on the assumption that better genetics will keep coming, the stakes are direct and personal.

We’re on the brink of decisions that will shape our agricultural future for not only our generation, but also the ones to come.

What direction will we choose?

On The Brink is a year-long video series traveling across Canada to meet the researchers, breeders, farmers, seed companies, and policymakers shaping the future of Canadian plant breeding. Each week, a new story. Each story, a piece of the bigger picture.

Episode 3 is above. Follow Seed World Canada to catch every episode, and tell us: Do you think the next generation will have the tools they need to success when they takeover? How is the future going to look?