Farmers continue to grow IP message

IP producers Keith Schrader, Nancy Kavazanjian, John Heinecke and SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg discussed IP field crops during a panel at the Organic & Non-GMO Forum.

If IP starts on the farm, the IP message starts there, too.

Continuing its commitment to including growers to tell the identity-preserved story, the Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance sponsored a producer panel during this week’s Organic & Non-GMO Forum, which was held virtually.

SSGA Executive Director Eric Wenberg moderated Monday’s hour-long session, which featured Nancy Kavazanjian, a partner at Hammer-Kavazanjian Farms in Wisconsin; John Heinecke, owner of Heinecke Ag Ventures in Missouri; and Keith Schrader, CEO of Wheeling Grain Partnership in Minnesota (Schrader is also secretary/treasurer of the SSGA Board of Directors).

“Farming is a tough way to make money but a meaningful way to make a living,” Wenberg said as he introduced the panel, who discussed the challenges of and tough choices that go with growing non-GMO soybeans and corn – from crop segregation and storage to finding new customers to the effects of late-season weed pressure – in order to get the most of out of their corps each year. They also spoke about how the premium for their crops makes the extra work worthwhile, as well as their desire to see more farmers join them in growing for a purpose.

“People need to see that non-GMO is no longer a niche market,” Heinecke said.

Said Kavazanjian: “We need better breeding and more diversity. We need some breeding focus.”

Kavazanjian and Schrader reported an excellent growing season in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

“The color turned out really well,” Schrader said. “We’ve delivered some already, and our processor was really happy.”

Heinecke said some weather setbacks impacted the yield in Missouri, but, otherwise, it was a “spectacular” soybean crop. All acknowledged the difficulties Iowa had with this summer’s devastating derecho.

The Organic & Non-GMO Forum was a two-day virtual even that gave attendees a chance to watch speakers, interact in presentations, take advantage of networking opportunities and participate in public forums.

On Tuesday Wenberg gave his own presentation on IP called “Traceability: The Value That Adds Value.”