A customer appreciation day hosted by Hensall District Co-operative (HDC) was well attended by local farmers.
The Feb. 10 event at the Alma Community Centre gave farmers a look at some aspects of operating a grain elevator site.
Neil Driscoll, owner of Driscoll Farms Ltd, currently a satellite site for HDC, said, “I guess its official now. Hensall District Co-operative is in the process of purchasing the elevator site from Driscoll Farms Ltd.
“The sale is expected to be finalized in May and operated under the name Hensall District Co-operative Drayton Elevator.”
HDC field marketing manager Murray Insley gave a brief history of the co-operative. Founded in 1937 and currently in its 80th year of operation, HDC is Ontario’s largest member-owned agricultural co-operative with 5,000 farm members.
HDC uses automated guided forklifts or robots at some of its facilities. The co-operative handles 12 different types of dry beans.
“Most of the beans HDC handles are transported by rail before being shipped overseas to the United Kingdom, Asia, the Mediterranean and beyond,” Insley said.
“Pinto beans are the number one bean consumed world wide. The Azuki bean is an ingredient is Japanese soft drinks and candy bars. Cranberry beans are shipped to the Mediterranean.”
HDC food products division support specialist Walter Vermunt demonstrated the field trace program that is designed to be an integral part of HDC’s quality assurance system.
“Field trace is available to the contract or commercial grower and is designed to meet the requirements of food safety and traceability programs that ensure a safe, high quality product is provided to the consumer,” Vermunt said. “The program is designed to make the job easier and more efficient.”
HDC seed manager/field marketer Paul Cornwell said, “As HDC has no in-house breeder, we work closely with the University of Guelph, Agriculture Canada, Gentec and various other companies in the industry.”
Through a Power Point presentation, Cornwell explained the research and trials involved in making the final selection of soybean seed used by HDC. Protein content of 35 to 40% is a key factor in the decision making process.
An overall look at grain marketing around the globe was presented by HDC grain marketer Brad Pryce.
“The USDA is predicting an increase in ethanol use, Brazil experienced a poor sugar cane harvest last year, China has a glut of corn in storage and corn is the cheapest it’s been in 10 years,” Pryce said. “With the EU and Trump, I’m not sure where things will go. “
Marketing tips suggested by Pryce include putting two or three people’s heads together when planning marketing strategies, selling incrementally, keeping a calendar just for marketing and knowing the cost of production in order to know where to start selling.
The final speaker of the day, OMAFRA soybean specialist Horst Bohner, titled his presentation Impossible Soybean Yields Made Possible.
“We read and hear about soybean yields that seem extremely high. I don’t know how it’s possible. It is all about yield. If you can’t get yield you’re not going to make money, “Bohner said.
“Increasing the number of pods per plant is the answer. We have the genetic ability to put on all kinds of pods. Monster yields are a result of tricking the plants into producing more pods. Currently, the average is only 25% of the flowers become pods.”
Bohner continued his presentation with information on seed corn maggots, variable row widths, seeding rates, tillage methods, and soil quality and their effects on soybean yields.
When asked by an audience member about the use of Roundup Ready, IP or conventional soybeans, Bohner’s response was “you have to compare varieties.”
“My theory is success happens when the nutrients get into the soybean plant. Build up the soil to a reasonable level of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). That’s when soybeans come to the table,” Bohner said.
