Portland, Oregon, USA
April 6, 2021
Columbia Grain International (CGI), a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds, and organics for the northern tier of the United States, is a firm believer that not all things are created equal in the seed treating world. Which begs the question, “What’s on your seed?”
When one of their farmers came to CGI expressing doubts about the quality of the seed treatment they applied because his crop wasn’t performing, CGI at the Craigmont, Idaho location went into investigation mode. Stacy Lorentz, Craigmont Location Manager, contracted with Syngenta to provide aerial photographs of the underperforming crop, and later learned the culprit was a plant disease in the field. This experience inspired CGI Seed to test the viability of its seed treatments to showcase that even though high-quality seed treatment is more expensive, it results in healthier crops for a higher ROI. The CGI Grangeville, Idaho facility performed test samples on their partner’s Ovation Wheat, treated by CGI Seed, versus another farmer’s Art Deco Wheat, treated by a competitor’s seed treatment. The results speak volumes. The Ovation seed treat results match the target rate, whereas the Art Deco results fall far below. The difference is visually apparent in the accompanying image, where the Ovation seed is fully covered in seed treatment and the Art Deco seed is only partially covered, if that. CGI Agronomy performed a similar study at the CGI Nezperce, Idaho location with the same results. This spring, other CGI locations in Idaho and Washington will submit samples, as will CGI Tiber in Montana for peas and wheat.
“Proper seed treatment is important to ensure the seed is not undertreated and risking loss of protection, or over-treated, which wastes money and affects seed health,” said CGI Seed Manager, Paul Porter.
About Columbia Grain International
Since 1978, Columbia Grain International™ (CGI) has been Cultivating Growth™ as a global leader in the origination, processing, logistics, and distribution of high-quality bulk grains, pulses, edible beans, oilseeds and organics for U.S. domestic and worldwide export markets. Headquartered in Portland, OR, CGI’s reliable supply chain spans the western region of the US, ensuring abundant ingredients for all its partners, thanks to their trusted relationships with their farmers throughout the fertile croplands of Washington, Idaho, Montana and North Dakota, well known for its high-quality wheat, feed grains, canola and pulses. CGI is an owner of Montana Specialty Mills, who operates an organic and non-GMO oilseed crushing facility in Great Falls, Montana, a mustard seed facility in Conrad, Montana, and most recently Montana Craft Malt —providing specialty malt barley from Montana farmers to the craft brewing world. Today, they are vertically integrated, operating assets including grain elevators, processing plants and agronomy centers to support their farmers, which stretch the northern tier of the United States. With multiple touchpoints across the food supply chain, CGI provides trusted solutions and cultivates high-quality ingredients from their local farmers for a farm to table philosophy that nourishes the world, safely.
Topics
Species
