Irrigation is helping make soybeans Alberta’s next specialty crop.
Patrick Fabian of Tilley, Alta., jumped at a chance to experiment with the crop four years ago.
Encouraged by Kevin Elmy in Saltcoats, Sask., who has grown soybeans since 2002, Fabian grew six acres of conventional soybeans in 2006 and almost threw the crop in the garbage.
Weed control was difficult, similar to control measures in pea stands.
The next year, Ron Gendzelevich of Stonewall, Man., general manager and agronomist for Quarry Grain Commodities, introduced Fabian to genetically modified soybeans.
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Weed control problems disappeared because the new variety was Roundup Ready. He grew the crop on 30 acres.
“That’s when I knew I was on to something,” said Fabian, who operates a seed growing operation.
He sold his first crop to a crushing company, partly to meet Roundup regulations.
He grew 180 acres in 2008, but a cold growing season reduced seed quality to a point where all production went to a crusher.
Last year, Fabian reduced his planted acres to 80 as a way to regroup. He grew a new variety that promised higher yields, and all his production qualified for seed.
Fabian said the crop is catching on. He was the only grower in Alberta in 2006 and 2007.
In 2008, four growers signed production contracts for a total of 400 acres. Last year, growers planted 1,100 acres.
Twenty farmers have signed contracts this year and will plant more than 4,000 acres.
Fabian said he started growing soybeans as a way to diversify his seed farm production base.
Soybeans have been grown on dry land farms, but they respond best to water in late July to early August. That can be assured only with irrigation.
He feels that with the newer varieties, first-time growers should be able to harvest 45 bushels an acre and more experienced growers can reach 60 bu. Total costs for seeding soybeans is $140 an acre.
The market is based on the Chicago futures market. Once a contract is signed, a farmer can lock in a price that is guaranteed.
The price for the 2009 crop was $8.90 to $10 per bu. The contract starts for the 2010 crop at $8.80 a bu.
Fabian will plant 240 acres this year at three locations on his farm within a 12-kilometre radius. However, more seed will be needed from Manitoba to fill the demand of growers.
The bulk of the commercial production will be in the Lethbridge, Taber, Grassy Lake and Brooks areas.
Fabian said farmers can use conventional equipment to plant soybeans. Row-crop planters and headers are not needed. Neither is additional nitrogen fertilizer.
He said soybeans can be left standing to combine later if needed because they have excellent shattering resistance.
Soybeans are also traded daily, making them easy to market.
