Guelph, Ontario
November 20, 2008
The Ontario Soybean Growers
are pleased to congratulate
University of Guelph soybean breeder Professor Istvan Rajcan
on being awarded the 2008 Seed of the Year (eastern division)
for the OAC Kent soybean. OAC Kent was developed with support
from the Ontario Soybean Growers as well as the Ontario Ministry
of Agriculture, Food & Rural Affairs.
“Ontario’s soybean growers appreciate the excellent seed
development research being done by Ontario’s public seed
breeders”, observed Dale Petrie, OSG General Manager. “These
varieties have played an important role in establishing Ontario
as a preferred supplier of IP (identity preserved) soybeans for
the Japanese market”. For the 2009 season, growers are being
offered significant premiums to grow IP soybeans for export to
Japan.
Varieties in the Seed of the Year competition are evaluated on
their performance, presence in the value chain, sustainability,
marketability, innovation, end use potential, overall impact and
contribution to the Canadian agri-food industry. OAC Kent had
more than 8,000 tonnes of recorded seed sales in the last five
years, and it has been consistent in terms of yield and
agronomics over the last seven years. It is a true hilum soybean
variety with a larger than average seed.
OAC Kent’s parent variety, OAC Bayfield, is entering 16 years in
the market. It is popular with food grade purchasers of IP
soybeans destined for Japan.
Established in 1949, the Ontario Soybean Growers (OSG)
represents 25,000 growers in Ontario, Canada. With a vision of
an innovative and profitable soybean industry, OSG's mission is
to develop and promote a sound industry business environment
that will allow Ontario soybean producers the opportunity for
viable and profitable ongoing returns. |
|
