Soybean Growers Seeing Green This Harvest

Sep 17, 2018

Many soybean growers in Manitoba are seeing green seeds this harvest season.

This year's warm, dry conditions, have caused many seeds to prematurely ripen, resulting in chlorophyll getting locked into the seed.

"That becomes an issue for farmers because it's a grading issue, said Manitoba Agriculture Pulse Specialist Dennis Lange. "If you're over three per cent, you drop down into a lower grade and that means there's some discounts to be applied...It's something interesting that we really haven't seen before. Sometimes we see frost issues that may arise where you see the green seed locked in but we haven't seen that in a number of years. This caught a lot of people by surprise this summer."

Lange says its important for farmers to talk to their buyer regarding any possible discounts.

Source : Steinbachonline

Video: Independent Seed, National Impact | On The Brink: Episode 9

A survey of 200 independent seed businesses reveals what Canada's seed sector actually contributes — and what it stands to lose.

On the Brink, Justin Funk, a third-generation agri-marketer, shares the findings of a national survey conducted in early 2026. The numbers reframe the conversation: independent seed companies in Canada represent upwards of $1.7 billion in dedicated seed infrastructure, approximately 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs in rural communities, and an estimated $20 million in annual community contributions. And roughly 90% of Canada's cereals, pulses, and other small pollinated crops flow through them.

The survey also asked how dependent these businesses are on public plant breeding to survive. The answer was unambiguous. For policymakers evaluating the future of publicly funded breeding programs, Funk argues the economic case for this sector and the case for public plant breeding are the same argument.

On the Brink is a cross-country video series exploring the future of plant breeding in Canada. Each episode features voices from across the industry in an open, ongoing conversation about innovation and long-term investment in Canadian agriculture.