May 3, 2000 / Ontario Farmer Daily
In the last week, a number of former DEKALB seed corn growers were signed on to grow for Hyland Seeds, division of W.G. Thompson's & Sons of Blenheim.
General manager John Cowan emphasized that because Hyland's acreage needs were up 50% and some of their own growers had to sit out this year for crop rotation purposes, the former DEKALB growers in north Harwich Township were ideal candidates for the new acres.
"These DEKALB growers have the skills and the land required to do a good job of growing seed corn," he explained. Although Cowan was unwilling to reveal the exact acreage assigned to the new growers, he did say those with contracts represented a small portion of the group which was given its walking papers earlier this spring by DEKALB. Another portion of those growers, representing about 1000 acres were contracted by Limagrain Genetics of Pain Court in mid-April.
Seed Corn Growers of Ontario Chairman, Michael Denys was pleased with the two companies picking up much of the DEKALB acres. "This is an excellent reflection on the seed corn growing community in southwestern Ontario," he said. The Seed Corn Growers have embarked on a business strategy to foster the viability of seed corn production in the area. (Ridgetown Agri-link):
