News
A resource for seed corn producers

In recent years, the Ontario seed corn industry has undergone significant changes
and maintaining productivity and quality under variable growing conditions in
the future is critical to the ongoing viability of the Ontario industry. Environmental
concerns, with nutrient and pest management and competition for land base with
other rotational crops are some of the production challenges. Sustainable and
dependable production not only increases our competitiveness against other production
areas, but is key to the future health and growth of the seed corn industry
in Ontario.

In response to these challenges, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food
and Rural Affairs and the Seed Corn Producers of Ontario developed the Seed
Corn Best Management Practices for Ontario manual. It is the first comprehensive
manual dedicated specifically to Ontario seed corn production issues relating
to diseases, insects, weeds and crop management and has been well received by
producers and the industry. The manual and especially the individual colour
'pest' sheets have been designed to aid in the identification of many of the
common problems encountered by Ontario seed corn producers.

As is the case with all resource materials, it is important to continue updating
the information to keep it relevant and applicable to the ever-changing seed
corn production issues. In order to be proactive and meet this challenge, the
'best management manual' will be transferred to the Seed Corn Growers of Ontario
and posted at: www.seedcorngrowers.on.ca. Including the manual on the SCGO website
will allow for easy and convenient access to the information and will provide
quick access to updates.

This project was supported by the Canada-Ontario Research and Development Program,
administered by the Agricultural Adaptation Council. Funding is being provided
by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs under the Canada-Ontario Agricultural Safety Net Management
Agreement. In addition, Syngenta Crop Protection Canada provided funding to
assist with the production of the manual.

Growers who have not received a copy and would like one or need additional
copies can contact: Mary Lynn Lister Santavy, executive director, Seed Corn
Growers of Ontario, 825 Park Avenue, West Chatham, Ontario N7M 5J6. Telephone:
(519) 352-6710, Fax: (519) 352-0256, E-mail: msantavy@seedcorngrowers.on.ca

Albert Tenuta is a field crop plant pathologist
for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs at Ridgetown.