GEORGETOWN, Ont. — Producers worry that the drought that has gripped the United States and Eastern Canada may threaten next year’s seed supply.
But there is no cause for alarm, according to Canada’s largest seed supplier.
DuPont Pioneer, which claims it sells twice as much seed in the Canadian market than its next largest competitor, said its supplies are safe.
Company president Ian Grant told reporters attending a tour of its Georgetown Research Centre that the prognosis for North America’s corn and soybean crops is grim.
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“It’s getting to be a bit of a crisis,” he said.
“The question everybody asks us is, ‘what about your seed production?’ ”
Fortunately the company’s main seed production facility in Chatham, Ont., has received timely rain this spring and summer.
It is an oasis in what has been an extremely dry summer in Ontario.
“All of the seed fields are in excellent condition, so our outlook for being able to supply our farmers high quality seed for next year is very good,” said Grant.
The Chatham facility produces corn and soybean seed. Canola seed is multiplied at the company’s western production facility in Lethbridge.
