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High-Value Specialty Crops Are Southwestern Ontario's Focus
Southwestern Ontario is one of North America's most agriculturally diverse regions. More than 30 different
crops are grown here, making the region a leader in the production of fruits and vegetables, as well as identity-preserved
grain and oilseed crops.
Specialty crop contractors are attracted to southwestern Ontario by the same unique combination of productive
soils and skilled growers that has fostered recent seed corn crops of up to 36,000 acres, with the potential to
contract up to 50,000 acres of seed corn production. For seed corn companies, the benefits range from
dealing with experienced growers who are set up to focus on value-added production (Table 1), to being
able to secure desired isolation distances.
"Farmers of the area have a strong conservation ethic and work with specialty crops regularly," supports
Doug Young, Soil Specialist with the University of Guelph. Greg Iler of Harrow, and John Lugtigheid of
Kent Bridge, Ontario are examples of producers who have diversified their operations to target different markets.
Iler grows grain crops such as commercial corn, soybeans and wheat, with seed corn as his main value-added
crop. Iler's soybeans are grown for certified seed, for export in products such as tofu, or for crushing.
Lugtigheid, focuses more on specialty crops, with seed corn an important part of the rotation.
"We are growing close to 400 acres of processing vegetables such as peas, green beans, squash, cucumbers
and some peppers along with our IP and seed soybeans, and wheat," states Lugtigheid.
On a global scale, southwestern Ontario is noted especially for its exports of identity preserved, foodquality soybeans.
Within North America, the region has gained recognition for its exceptional yields and economicallycompetitive production of processing tomatoes and other vegetables. The vegetable sector is thriving in the current free trade environment.
In addition to seed corn, southwestern Ontario produces many other seed crops, including seed
soybeans, winter wheat, and pulses.
Hybrid seed corn has been produced in Essex and Kent counties since 1938, with many novel production practices developed since this time. The Seed Corn Growers of Ontario was formed in 1940, and for more than 60 years has played an active role in developing the region's production capability.
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