First organic hybrid hits Ontario market

By Jeffrey Carter, Special to Ontario Farmer
Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Vince and Rosemary Trudell of London are off the starting blocks with Canada's first organically-certified, hybrid seed corn.

Certification from OCC/Pro Cert Canada Inc. for a 2600 heat unit hybrid from De Dell Seeds was granted in late January, Vince Trudell says. All units have now been sold.

The corn was grown near Tillsonburg by Steve Gubesch who's contracted to De Dell.

"This is the first of many more to come. We'll be doing more varieties next year, now that we know how to do it," Trudell says.

"It (the production) is not for the faint of heart."

Gubesch faced additional challenges compared to growing conventional seed corn, Trudell explains. The required isolation distance is three times greater and weed pressure makes the rouging and detassling operations more difficult.
Trudell says the organic hybrid, DL-1220, is also produced conventionally with above average performance in trials, Trudell says. DL-1220 will compete with imports currently being brought into Canada.

If organic growers are unable to access organic hybrids, they may also plant untreated conventional hybrids.

Trudell and his wife launched their unique, family-owned business in 1999. He says it hasn't been easy to establish the business but perseverance is paying off.
"Our 2006 sales have doubled over last year. We have a better deal and people are hearing about it."

Trudell says starting any new business represents an enormous challenge. De Dell's efforts were complicated by the introduction of genetically-modified corn hybrids with the Bt gene, something his company doesn't carry.

"Genetically, we have corn that will stand better than anything else, and that's only because of genetics (conventional breeding)," Trudell says.

"With this Bt business, it's taken a little bit longer (to build our business). Now they (farmers) have decided they do not need Bt and that's something we've been telling them all along."

De Dell Seeds is operated by family members. They breed new hybrids and purchase corn genetics.

OACC gratefully acknowledges Ontario Farmer for permission to post this article on our website.