Grower Stories 2007 
Here's what some of our grower partners say about Cargill's Specialty Canola Oils Program.
Jim Manchur, Gilbert Plains, ManitobaDave Kraft, Rugby, North Dakota
John Burns, Wynyard, Saskatchewan
François Messier, Alvena, Saskatchewan
Tyler Amundson, Viking, Alberta
To see where Gilbert Plains, Manitoba is located, select the above image.
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Jim Manchur and his brothers Lawrence and Dave, farm 4000 acres near Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, on land that has been in the family for around 100 years. The Manchur’s have been growing high oleic canola for the past three years and in 2007, dedicated 900 acres to VICTORY® v1031 and v1035 hybrid varieties as well as trial plots. They also grow wheat, barley, conventional canola and yellow peas, background 250 calves a year, and are investors and managers of two 2000-head feeder hog barns. "We experienced a pretty challenging growing season this year. We had a prolonged period of high heat, followed by an August hailstorm that caused considerable damage to all of our crops, including the VICTORY®," said Jim Manchur. "However, in spite of that, I have to say the hybrids did quite well. When we harvested, the VICTORY® yield was as good as anything else we grew. V1031 came in at 38 bushels an acre and v1035 came in at 43 bushels an acre based on weigh wagon results. I’m planning to increase the high oleic canola we grow to 1,200 acres, trying out both VICTORY® and InVigor® Health hybrids. It’s good to have these sorts of options when planning our next growing season. That’s one of the things I like about Cargill’s program. I also like the grower selected delivery periods and of course, the peace of mind that comes with a locked in price. In the end, it’s that risk free high premium that really counts. From what I read and hear there seems to be a growing demand for these high oleic canola oils. If consumers want a healthier choice, Cargill should be providing it by delivering a continuous, high quality supply from growers like us." ® InVigor Health - Developed by Bayer CropScience and marketed exclusively through Cargill and selected dealers. |
To see where Rugby, North Dakota is located, select the above image.
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Dave Kraft and his father Larry, farm 3000 acres of cropland near Rugby, North Dakota. The farm has been a family operation since 1945. In addition to high oleic canola, the Kraft’s grow wheat, barley, corn, oats, conventional canola and soybeans, and have a 300-head cow calf operation. The 2007 crop year was Dave’s first experience growing high oleic canola, as well as being part of Cargill’s Specialty Canola Oils program. Dave seeded about half his acres with the VICTORY® v2010 hybrid and had these comments. "The VICTORY® hybrids were new to me so I was interested to see that v2010 showed good emergence with a little more height than my other canola. It seemed to bloom a bit longer as well. We had one real hot spell right at the flowering point but this didn’t affect it. We had no problems with disease as Roundup Ready® works well for us and keeps our fields clear. When it came to harvest, v2010 swathed nice in spite of high winds that blew my other canola around. The yield came in at 1,350 pounds per acre – 5 bushels an acre more than my other canola varieties. Next season, I’ll go with more acres of VICTORY® because of the yield, the price, and the reliability of the product." Dave Kraft is also impressed with Cargill’s marketing advantage. He appreciates the guaranteed high demand markets, premiums that provide high per acre returns, Act of God risk management and grower selected pick up and delivery. "I like the Cargill program. CHS does the paperwork, you don’t have to play the market, you know the price upfront and you realize future demand is strong. Besides, you’re doing something for the consumer down the line by growing a healthier product. This is something that’s long term - nothing on the market can compare." |
To see where Wynyard, Saskatchewan is located, select the above image.
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Windy Poplars, owned by John, Wayne, Dustin, and Gordon Burns, along with Doug Reeve, is located near Wynyard, Saskatchewan. It’s been a Burns family operation since 1976. Out of a total 13,000 acres, 30% of cropland was seeded with high oleic canola in 2007. Other crops include field peas, wheat, malt barley and oats, and they also raise 235 head of cattle. John grew VICTORY® v1030 and v1035 hybrid varieties and had the following comments on their performance over the recent growing season. "We experienced all the stressful conditions you could imagine this year. However, we mudded the crops in early and the VICTORY® hybrids came up very quickly with tremendous seed set and stood up well to the adverse conditions. The v1035 was excellent for swathing and all yields were better than expected and comparable to other crops. We’ve already committed to seed 2000 acres of v1035, 1000 acres of v1037 and 800 acres of InVigor® Health for the coming year. We see the advantages of having hybrids with the Roundup Ready® trait – we can seed earlier to avoid heat stress, it’s not necessary to do a pre-season burn off, and it allows us to utilize newer land. We like a lot of the features of the VICTORY® contracting program. The stability and peace of mind from an attractive fixed price, on farm pickup and a convenient delivery period with all the arrangements made. Of course, the premiums are important too. And having the Clavet crushing facility nearby is a real bonus for us. We trust Cargill and rely on their knowledge of markets and risk. Cargill is leading the way to meet an almost unbelievable high demand for healthy oils and we’re happy to partner with them by growing the crops that provide a continuous supply of those quality oils." ® InVigor Health - Developed by Bayer CropScience and marketed exclusively through Cargill and selected dealers. |
To see where Alvena, Saskatchewan is located, select the above image.
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Since 1999, François Messier has farmed 8,500 acres of cropland at Alvena, Saskatchewan located north east of Saskatoon. François Messier has been growing high oleic canola with Cargill for the past five years and in 2007 dedicated 45% of his total acreage to VICTORY® v1030 and v1035 hybrid varieties. Other crops include oats, malt barley and field peas. "We had a fairly wet spring followed by extreme heat in mid-summer and too much moisture again at the end of the season, but the VICTORY® stood up to conditions quite well and when harvested, the yield was pretty average and comparable to other crops at 31 bushels an acre. One of the real strengths of these hybrids is the high quality of the seed, and the fact that they are very well adapted to our region and seem to thrive in the area," said François. Based on his previous experience and the promising potential of the VICTORY® line of hybrids, François has already committed about 4,000 acres to high oleic canola for the coming growing season. "I’m impressed with the early maturity and vigour of v1035 and look forward to growing both that variety and v1030 again. Cargill’s better quality product makes me a strong supporter of the Specialty Canola Oils program. I especially like the risk free prime basis agreement. Once you sign in, that’s it. There are no gimmicks! And I appreciate the grower selected delivery periods and on-farm pickup – these options are very important to me. The volume rebate for seed also has some real value for me. I’m happy to partner with Cargill in this industry. I know that Cargill is committed to their growers, committed to adding value to farm businesses, and to keeping the benefits close to home as well, through investing in enterprises such as the expanded crushing plant at Clavet and the research centre at Aberdeen." |
To see where Viking, Alberta is located, select the above image.
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Tyler Amundson has operated N.A. Bar Land & Cattle since 2001 on land located ten miles north of Viking, Alberta. This family operation had its roots in farms established in the area by his grandfather in the 1950’s and his father in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s. The current enterprise has 1700 acres of cropland, 400 acres of hay, as well as 115-head of cattle. Tyler has been growing high oleic canola with Cargill for the past four years and in 2007 he grew about 200 acres of VICTORY® v1030 and v1035 hybrid varieties. He also grew conventional canola, wheat and barley. "I was happy with both VICTORY® varieties, but I was especially pleased with v1035 and definitely plan to grow it again. Our weather was hot and dry from mid July to mid August and then we had hail. All things considered, the VICTORY® did pretty well with v1035 out yielding v1030 by 4 bushels an acre. I grew them on the same half section, so field conditions were pretty consistent. The seed was vigorous, quick to pop out of the ground and the stand was good. I also found it easy to thresh - the pods didn’t shatter prior to combing the crop." Being part of Cargill’s Specialty Canola Oils program appeals to Tyler. He’s positive about many of the features including the option to lock in a risk free price hedge and prime basis agreement. He appreciates the on farm pickup as well, and Cargill’s on going commitment to supply those high demand markets. "You know where you’re at when you can lock in a lot of fixed costs. It’s really another good tool we can use to limit risk. I can stand here and watch it grow knowing the price is in place. And at the end of the day you don’t have to worry – the crop is already sold. Of course, it matters most that I get the best bang for my buck, but if my high oleic canola crop helps Cargill provide a healthier product, that’s a positive thing. It’s good to know folks can’t have their fries without my oil." "In five years of dealing with Cargill I’ve probably bought 85% of my inputs from them and sold 90% of my crop production to them. I like to deal with Cargill. They’re industry leaders and I can always count on them." |