Stratford, Ontario, Canada
October 25, 2013

As a top priority of the new organization, Ontario Bean Growers has set four research priorities to increase yield and hired a Research Coordinator to ensure the goals in this important area are met.

The four priorities are insect resistance, root disease management, leaf disease management and plant architecture. These priorities align with our goal of having a profitable and sustainable production system for our members and ultimately, our end use consumers. To administer existing projects and attract new projects and funding, Ontario Bean Growers has hired Daryl Vermey as the organization’s new Research Coordinator.

“We want to attract more producers to grow dry edible beans and to do that we need to reduce agronomic risks to be more competitive with other Ontario crops,” says OBG Chair Steve Twynstra.

“The first step is a dedicated research coordinator who will ensure our research projects are addressing our needs.”

Vermey will be responsible for administering existing research projects and working with the board directed research priorities to seek new research opportunities and funding sources. He will also build relationships within the industry to ensure research is meeting industry-wide goals and objectives. Vermey’s previous jobs at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and the Agricultural Adaptation Council and his Masters in Weed Science from the University of Guelph will bring experience in project management and funding as well as relationships with researchers and practical research knowledge.

As a top priority of the newly formed Ontario Bean Growers, over $300,000 in grower funds have been invested in 2013/14 in research that has leveraged government and industry funding at least 3:1 to deliver value back to growers. Current projects include the incorporation of resistance to Common Bacterial Blight (CBB) and Anthracnose into new varieties across multiple market classes, research into ways to increase herbicide tolerance and a study to rapidly detect root rot pathogens in order to develop best management practices.

Ontario Bean Growers is a not for profit organization that represents the interests of farmers in Ontario that grow beans. Founded in 2013, the organization is an amalgamation of the Ontario Bean Producers’ Marketing Board and the Ontario Coloured Bean Growers Association. The farmer members of Ontario Bean Growers produce fifteen different types of beans on an average of 130,000 acres annually.

Website: http://www.ontariobeans.on.ca

Published: October 25, 2013