The Western Producer | November 11, 1999 | Michael Raine, Saskatoon newsroom
WINNIPEG - According to this story, the debate over genetically modified organisms has made the choices of canola more confusing and has resulted in a lower than normal demand for canola seed this fall."
Craig Evans, Monsanto Canada's general manager for biotechnology, was quoted as saying, "I can understand why farmers haven't been rushing out to order their seed yet. Many are confused by all the talk about the future of (GMO) canola and other varieties with novel traits."
Evans said the late fall has had an impact on farmer decisions, but the controversy over the future of GM canola and the question about whether there will be a market for it is also a factor.
Wayne Bacon, a Kinistino, Sask., grain farmer and president of the Saskatchewan Canola Growers Association, was cited as saying he is not surprised that farmers haven't rushed out to buy seed. Low commodity prices, uncertain government aid programs, a late harvest and depressed futures markets have caused producers to take a longer look at what has in the past been dubbed the Cinderella crop.
Steve Meister, of AgrEvo Canada, was cited as saying the demand for seed is down due to the public debate over genetics, the economics of the crop and the fact that many producers are still trying to decide how to keep their farms operating, "let alone what to grow next year."
Meister said it is unlikely segregation will play any role in the price or marketability of canola this year or next, adding, "Most of the crushers are set up for high throughput of large volumes of canola. The customers in the major markets are not demanding labeling of the product. The farmer should decide for himself whether the crop would make him money. If so, it then comes to the decision about what kind of canola to grow. In that way, it is the same this year as it always has been."
Seventy percent of canola grown in Western Canada in 1999 was herbicide tolerant, but Terry Scott, of Brett Young Seeds' LiBred canola division, was cited as saying he feels that amount will drop significantly next spring, adding, "I have had some seed dealers tell me they think it (herbicide-tolerant) may be as little as 50 percent of the seeded acres this year. I am sure that it won't increase this year, but farmers are taking their time to decide what they are going to do and who can blame them?" His company is predicting a two percent increase in total canola acres next year for the Prairies.
