Forage contract growers sought

Thursday, June 20, 2013

by SUSAN MANN

Bruce Agra Dehy Inc. The Ontario Forage Processor is once again looking for contract growers of alfalfa and/or alfalfa-timothy mixtures.

Helmut Sieber, plant manager, says the call for contracts is part of their normal three-times a year request for acres. The first time is after direct seeding in the spring, the second time is after winter wheat is harvested and the third time is after spring crops are harvested.

The Kincardine-based company says in a June 18 press release interested farmers or land owners can register for a contract online or by phone at (519) 368-4314 or fax at (519) 368-4343. Area district manager will contact interested farmers.

The forages are used for the equine industry, he says.

The company says on its website it operates one of the world’s largest dehydration plants and is a leader in the production of dehydrated and sun-cured forage products. The plant is a cubing and dehydration facility that can produce 90,000 metric tonnes of alfalfa products in a 90-day period. Its annual capacity is 190,000 metric tonnes.

Sieber says the offer to grow for them is on a first come, first served basis. They’re looking for contracts to cover 26,000 acres across southwestern Ontario.

Sieber says they do all the harvesting, while the contract growers plant the forages and maintain the field.

This year for the first time, farmers can finance their alfalfa or alfalfa/timothy crop inputs through the ACC Agricultural Credit Corporation’s advance payment program. Sieber says they initiated that option with the corporation and it began on May 1. BF