Testimonials 2007 
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Here's what some of our grower partners have had to say about Cargill's specialty canola.
Testimonials: Canada
Manitoba Grower Testimonials
Ed Bergen, Sanford, Manitoba – v2018Elden Boon, Rolling Ridge Farms, Virden, Manitoba - v1030
Ray Christiuk, Dufrost, Manitoba - v2010
Jeff Elder, Wawanesa, Manitoba - v1035
Brad Erb, Oakbluff, Manitoba - v2018
Mike Friesen, FBI Farms, Halbstadt, Manitoba - v2010
Arnie Hofer, Skyview Farms, Miami, Manitoba - v2018
Michael Knight, Decker, Manitoba - v1030
Randy Lints, Hamiota, Manitoba – v1030
Larry Mazur, Roblin, Manitoba - v1031
Shawn McCutcheon, Carman, Manitoba -v2010 and v2018
Mike Sabourin, St. Jean, Manitoba - v2018
Kevin and Stan Toews, Osterwick Farms, New Bothwell, Manitoba – v2018
Saskatchewan Grower Testimonials
Jim Block, Borden, Saskatchewan -v1030 and v1035John Burns, Wynyard, Saskatchewan - v1035
Robert Gibbons, Balcarres, Saskatchewan - v1030
Warren Stevenson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - v1035
Terry Youzwa, Nipawin, Saskatchewan - v1031 and v1035
Testimonials: United States of America
Minnesota Grower Testimonials
Dale Mekash, Greenbush, Minnesota- v2010North Dakota Grower Testominals
Jeff Domres, Wales, North Dakota – v2010Ward Heinzen, Garrison, North Dakota - v2010
Dave Kraft, Rugby, North Dakota - v2010
Shannon Mattson, Rolla, North Dakota - v2010
Dana Peterson, Garrison, North Dakota - v2010
“VICTORY® v2018 was one of the varieties in our trial plots. Being a very wet year, v2018 withstood the moisture better than other varieties. It was relatively easy to swath and was our highest yielding canola this year. I see good potential with the new VICTORY® hybrids and I would like to try v2018 on a larger scale.”
- Ed Bergen, Sanford, Manitoba – v2018
“We had lots of stress this growing season but in spite of it our first experience with VICTORY® v1030 was positive. It was the first canola planted, it germinated well and remained vigorous in spite of a very wet June. It cut well and harvested at 31 bushels an acre and considering it wasn’t grown on the best land, the quality was there and the green count was low. I would certainly grow v1030 again.”
“There’s a dramatic increase in high demand markets for specialty canola oils and Cargill’s VICTORY® program with its grower selected delivery period certainly works for me. Cargill has good people, good service, and good communication. I like the way they keep in touch and keep you informed. ”
- Elden Boon, Rolling Ridge Farms, Virden, Manitoba - v1030
“The growing season got off to a pretty wet start but the v2010 had great out-of-the ground punch and handled the stress well. The plants grew vigorously and seemed to mature more quickly and grow taller than my other crops. When it came to swathing, the v2010 looked kind of intimidating, but it cut very well. And according to my yield monitor, it harvested 4-6 bushels over the other crops. Pretty impressive considering they all had the same growing conditions.”
“I’ll probably put my acres into VICTORY® high oleic canola hybrids next year. I find the contracting program hassle-free and I don’t have to haul my canola. I really like that. Cargill has a good thing going here with this new variety.”
- Ray Christiuk, Dufrost, Manitoba - v2010
“I’d grown canola before but when Cargill contacted me to do the trials, I was interested to see how VICTORY® performed on my dirt. We had near perfect conditions until a really hot dry spell in mid summer, but all the VICTORY® varieties seemed to handle those stresses just fine and overall, yield was good.”
“Based on yield, I have to say v1035 performed the best for me and I’ll definitely consider using that variety again next year. Cargill made it simple for me to set up the VICTORY® trials and get the seed in the ground and whenever I have questions or need help they are quick to respond.”
- Jeff Elder, Wawanesa, Manitoba - v1035
“We had an ideal start with early seeding that led to great plant establishment. Then we had a spell of extreme heat and dryness but visually the VICTORY® looked good, stood well and seemed to handle the conditions. The yield was very comparable to my other canola crop. I’m quite excited about v2018, especially its incredible early season vigour and the way it stood up to stress. I’ve told Cargill to keep me in mind when they’re allocating seed for next year.”
“The VICTORY® Contracting Program seems to have lots of marketing options with things like farm pickup, grower selected delivery periods, risk free price agreements. What it all boils down to is growers want a good agronomic package - I’m very interested to know more about this one.”
- Brad Erb, Oakbluff, Manitoba - v2018
“This was our first experience with VICTORY®. We decided to take a chance on the trials and we’re glad we did. We had favourable growing conditions – the VICTORY® was grown on stubble and our other canola was on black soil – yield results were pretty comparable. And that Roundup Ready® was awesome!”
“We think the number one benefit was swathing – all three trial varieties came close in yield but v2010 was real easy to swath. Looking ahead – if marketing options are as good as we think they are, and based on our experience this year, we’ll for sure try VICTORY® hybrids again, especially v2010.”
- Mike Friesen, FBI Farms, Halbstadt, Manitoba - v2010
“I’d heard about the VICTORY® hybrids from Cargill and was given a bag of v2018 to try. Although I knew the potential was there, I wanted to prove to myself that VICTORY® could live up to its claims, so I grew it neck and neck alongside my other canola varieties. Five hybrids in total – and the VICTORY® beat all of them!”
“We had a very hot dry summer but v2018 stood up to the stress – this one works on my farm. I got 57 bushels/acre compared to 41 bushels/acre with the other canola so the yield is definitely there. Am I going to grow it again next year? You bet!”
“The VICTORY® contracting program makes economical sense and in my opinion it’s a very good program. I like on-farm pickup, grower selected delivery times and the risk-free aspect. There are no surprises with that contract in place. I like working with Cargill, they’re always knowledgeable and professional.”
- Arnie Hofer, Skyview Farms, Miami, Manitoba - v2018
“I grew v1030 and as it was my first experience with a VICTORY® hybrid I was curious to know how it would compare to my other high oleic canola. The VICTORY® emerged quickly and with a combination of enough moisture and heat, it was well established within just two days. It only took one pass of Roundup Ready®, grew very tall with lots of pods, and in spite of pretty intense heat in mid-summer, v1030 cut well and yielded better than average. In fact, it came in at five bushels an acre more than the other oil crop. And dollar wise, thanks to the VICTORY® program, I’ll be even further ahead with this variety. I’ll definitely grow VICTORY® hybrids again.”
- Michael Knight, Decker, Manitoba - v1030
“In spite of a very stressful growing season, the v1030 stood up well and compared very favourably with the other high oleic canola I grew. It cut a lot easier and was easy to combine as well. Yield was 30-40 bushels an acre. In a year like this when poor conditions are a big factor and yields are pretty average, being part of the Cargill VICTORY® program is a bonus. The high oleic specialty oil hybrids make good sense for us - it seems to be the way of the future. The price hedge is a good feature, it really gets you started on your marketing plan and the flexible delivery period works well for us. Specialty oils pulled me to Cargill but I really appreciate their service-minded approach and the special interest they take when dealing with individual farmers.”
- Randy Lints, Hamiota, Manitoba – v1030
“I decided to grow VICTORY® because Cargill offered me a really good price. We had way too much rain all season and all my crops had a tough time. However, the v1031 came up quickly, emergence was good and the plants grew very tall. The potential for a good yield was there.”
“I do like the perks of the VICTORY® contracting program. There’s a better return all the way through with pricing advantages, risk free agreements and a secure future due to market demand. It makes a difference when you’re growing a product that’s in great demand.”
- Larry Mazur, Roblin, Manitoba - v1031
“Cargill offered us yield trial plots to grow v2010 and v2018. It was a huge advantage to be given this opportunity and we jumped at it.”
“We had close to ideal conditions this growing season. The VICTORY® had really great early season vigour and once the crop was mature, had an excellent stand showing great promise for upper end yield potential. In the end, both v2010 and v2018 proved very easy to swath and harvest making the whole experience a positive for us.”
“Working with Cargill has been a real benefit – they grow such a wide range of crops and I really like the way they present and handle the VICTORY® program. They are always professional in their dealings.”
- Shawn McCutcheon, Carman, Manitoba -v2010 and v2018
“I grew VICTORY® v2018 as a trial for Cargill. We had pretty good growing conditions and once the v2018 came into flower, it really started impressing me. It grew a shade taller than my other crop with bigger pods – actually it became very lush and heavy looking.”
“I became even more impressed when I got around to harvesting – v2018 yielded between 3-4 bushels more than my other crop. Depending on the incentives offered in the VICTORY® contracting program, I’ll definitely consider growing it again. I’m going to continue to work with Cargill because I can see good potential for these new varieties.”
- Mike Sabourin, St. Jean, Manitoba - v2018
“Growing VICTORY® hybrids was a new venture for us so when we seeded in May, I was surprised how quickly the v2018 came up. We had a very wet June followed by hot dry conditions in July and August. In spite of this, the v2018 stood up to the stress. It grew very tall with full heads - well above the other crops. It bloomed longer too. In fact, you could see an actual line in the field between the v2018 and the other canola crops.”
“When we harvested, the difference stood out again. The v2018 yield was about 20% better than the other crops. Based on our experience this year, we’ll definitely consider growing v2018 next year. The VICTORY® program promises good premiums as well as high performance and excellent yield. We’re real happy and content working with Cargill.”
- Kevin and Stan Toews, Osterwick Farms, New Bothwell, Manitoba – v2018
“This year I grew two VICTORY® varieties, v1030 and v1035. We had excellent growing conditions until a very hot dry spell in mid summer and I was a bit concerned about the stress on them. However, I have to say I was very happy with the results of my harvest. The yield compared well to other canola I grew, and I was especially pleased with v1035 – it grew a bit shorter and was definitely a nicer crop to harvest.”
“I like many of the features of the VICTORY® program – the on-farm pickup is great and those high demand markets show lots of future promise. I’ll be growing VICTORY® again – it’ll be my fifth year. I’m always open to new varieties; if it’s a better yielder I’m ready to grow it!”
- Jim Block, Borden, Saskatchewan -v1030 and v1035
“We experienced all the stressful conditions you could imagine this year. However, we mudded the crops in early and the VICTORY® hybrids came in very quickly with tremendous seed set and stood up well to the adverse conditions. The v1035 was excellent for swathing and yields were better than expected.”
“I like a lot of the features of the VICTORY® contracting program – the stability and peace of mind from a fixed price, on farm pickup and a convenient delivery period with all the arrangements made. Of course the premiums are important too.”
“I like working with Cargill. I trust them and rely on their knowledge of markets and risk. And I’m really encouraged to hear they are expanding their crushing facilities in Clavet.”
- John Burns, Wynyard, Saskatchewan - v1035
“I decided to grow v1030 and v1035 varieties because of the various features offered through the VICTORY® Program including attractive pricing. We seeded early and v1030 came up quickly but then we had frost. From then on we had reasonably good conditions except for a really hot dry spell in the mid season. The VICTORY® withstood the adverse conditions and yielded quite well.”
“I like the VICTORY® contracting program. It has been and will continue to be a major portion of my canola acres. I like the good agronomic traits, the marketing aspects, and the fact that it’s basically risk free unlike the other crops I grow. I appreciate the way the prime basis agreement is in place. And, of course, I get paid reasonably well and in the end that’s the most important thing.”
- Robert Gibbons, Balcarres, Saskatchewan - v1030
“Our summer was extremely hot and dry but both VICTORY® varieties – v1030 and v1035 hung in there through it all. They were both grown on stubble and while v1030 was quickest out of the gate, v1035 bloomed longer and performed best, coming in at 35 bushels an acre. I’ve already committed my whole crop to v1035 next year.”
“I see nothing but growth potential for high oleic canola and Cargill’s program. Those leading edge high demand markets provide fantastic opportunity, and the option of early delivery periods works well for us too. And anytime you’ve got a little extra cash in your pocket is a bonus. Cargill works really hard on our behalf and I appreciate that as well.”
- Warren Stevenson, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan - v1035
“We wanted to try canola with the Roundup Ready® option so we grew v1031 and v1035 varieties. We had good early growth but struggled with a spell of very hot dry weather close to harvest. We were not too optimistic about the outcome, but yields were still well above our long-term average and green seed was not an issue.”
“We especially like Cargill’s innovative pricing program. The producer is in control of picking his delivery month and managing cash flow. The Cargill rep comes to the yard to pick up the samples and discuss other opportunities. We all need more choices and VICTORY® has them. We will be growing VICTORY® again next year.”
- Terry Youzwa, Nipawin, Saskatchewan - v1031 and v1035
“We had ideal conditions at seeding and the VICTORY® v2010 had good emergence. However, conditions changed - at first it was very wet and then dry and hot. But the v2010 stood up real well, cutting was okay and the yield was excellent. I averaged 2290 pounds an acre – right up there with the best canola I’ve ever raised.”
“The VICTORY® program has some good features – I like being able to lock in a price that’s backed by the Act of God clause. The grower selected delivery period and on farm pickup are good options as well. And Roundup Ready® is a must for me! Based on this year’s performance, I’ll consider growing v2010 again.”
- Dale Mekash, Greenbush, Minnesota- v2010
“Our weather wasn’t great this year. We got frost at seeding, followed by real cool conditions and then some extreme heat in the middle of the summer. In spite of this, the VICTORY® v2010 was pretty decent and it ended up being our best canola crop, harvesting at 2000 pounds an acre. There are some features that stand out about the VICTORY® program. The markets are solid, I really like the Act of God risk management protection and the premiums certainly help out.”
- Jeff Domres, Wales, North Dakota – v2010
“I’d grown conventional canola before but this was my first experience with high oleic canola and the VICTORY® hybrid v2010 variety. Our season started cool and wet then turned hot and dry. The v2010 came up real fast and seemed to handle all the conditions just fine – in fact it was the best canola I’ve ever grown! My yield was1600 pounds an acre. I admit I was surprised, I just didn’t think it would be this good. I’ll certainly grow it again.”
- Ward Heinzen, Garrison, North Dakota - v2010
“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 and it swathed nice in spite of high winds that blew my other canola around. The yield came in at 1350 pounds per acre – 5 bushels an acre more than my other canola varieties.”
“Next year, I’ll go with more acres of VICTORY® because of the yield, the price, and the reliability of the product. I like the program; CHS does the paperwork, you don’t have to play the market, you know the price upfront and you realize future demand for the product is strong. Cargill’s a stable, reliable company– really it’s a win-win situation for everybody.”
- Dave Kraft, Rugby, North Dakota - v2010
“It was a very disappointing year for all my canola crops due to the extreme heat. However, I must say the VICTORY® v2010 performed the best, with a yield of 1400 pounds an acre. It was my first experience growing VICTORY® and I was pretty happy with the results, considering the poor growing conditions. Based on yield and the easy way it swathed, I’ve decided to double my acres with v2010 next year.”
“One thing I like about the VICTORY® program is the premium price – right up there with the rest of them – and the Act of God clause. I appreciate on farm pickup too – an added bonus for me in cutting fuel and transportation costs.”
- Shannon Mattson, Rolla, North Dakota - v2010
“We had a horrible dry year with lots of heat during the blooming period but the VICTORY® v2010 stood up to it and in the end it performed better than anything else I grew. It was the first time I’d tried VICTORY® - I’m real happy with the product and will grow it again. It had good standability, no lodging and the yield was 1200 pounds an acre.”
“It’s good that the VICTORY® contracting program has the Act of God feature – I won’t contract anything without it. And I’m impressed with those high demand markets and the way they keep growing.”
- Dana Peterson, Garrison, North Dakota - v2010