1998 OCPA Research Sponsorships
By Ken Hough, OCPA Director of Research and Market Development

The Ontario Corn Producers’ Association (OCPA) has allocated almost $430,000 in grants for 24 research projects and some project-related activities for 1998. Four new research projects have been initiated this year (see descriptions below). The majority of projects, however, are continuing from previous years (listed here; refer to June and July/August 1997 issues of the Ontario Corn Producer for descriptions).
OCPA’s support is contributed in partnership with other sources of research funding. Where possible, OCPA’s funds are also used to leverage matching funds from other sources, such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) Matching Investment Initiative (MII), the AAFC- funded CanAdapt program, and the Grow Ontario and Food Systems 2002 (FS2002) programs, funded by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
The overall cost of the research projects in which OCPA is a financial partner is more than $3.7 million. A total of over $1.1 million in matching funds (from MII, CanAdapt, and Grow Ontario programs) has been accessed, based on OCPA and other ‘industry’ support. Support from the OMAFRA/University of Guelph (including Ridgetown, Kemptville, etc.) and the AAFC base research budgets are also important sources of resources.
The potential value to be derived from successful outcomes from these projects is potentially hundreds of millions of dollars per year, as one of OCPA’s primary criteria for project selection is that each project provide about $10 million or more in anticipated benefits annually to Ontario corn growers. Other primary considerations for OCPA support include significant competitive advantage for Ontario producers (such as reducing drying costs, developing Fusarium resistance, etc.), strategically focused goal-oriented projects aiming for long-term solutions, and a coordinated team approach with other major funding partners.

New Projects in 1998

Economic Benefit and Potential Risk of Publication 75 and OntHERB Recommendations for Weed Management Strategies in Corn and Soybeans   
A. Hamill, AAFC Harrow
This project will evaluate field performance, economic benefits, and potential production pitfalls of two approaches to weed management: 1) standard weed control as recommended in the Guide to Weed Control - Publication 75 (including full, 3/4, 1/2, and 1/4 herbicide rates), and 2) economic threshold approach, as recommended by Ontario HERB, a computerized, decision support program used to optimize product selection based on weeds present, agronomic practices and economic expectations. In 1998, on-farm cooperators will be located, and operating procedures/agreements will be established for implementation of the herbicide management comparisons in the spring of 1999.
Total Project Cost in 1998: $8,000   
OCPA Contribution: $2,000
(Also supported by OSGMB, IFAO, and AAFC’s MII program.)

Control of New/Exotic Weeds in Field Corn
P. Sikkema, Ridgetown
Develop efficacy data for control of new/exotic weeds in no-till production systems, by:
- developing a list of problem weeds in no-till crop management systems,
- screen new and existing herbicides for control of these weeds,
- develop a database and disseminate information on effective control options for these weeds (including via the Internet).   
Total Project Cost in 1998: $39,500
OCPA Contribution: $10,000
(Also supported by OSGMB, herbicide manufacturers.)   

Enhancement of Cold Tolerance in Field Corn through Biotechnology
J. Simmonds, AAFC, Ottawa (with B. McKersie, U. of Guelph)
Chilling damage in corn, characterized by “uncoupling” of photosynthesis and disruption of chloroplast membranes, impairs corn growth. Biotechnology strategies will be pursued to enhance plant defence mechanisms, alter composition of chloroplast membranes, and modify carbohydrate levels and allocation under low temperature conditions, to improve corn resistance to low temperatures.
Total Project Cost in 1998: $50,000   
OCPA Contribution: $25,000   
(Also supported in 1998 by AAFC’s MII program. Further corn sector partnership funding is expected in 1999.)

Improved Seed Soil Interface in No-till Corn
T. Vyn/G. Stewart; U. of Guelph
Develop an artificial medium to coat/inject with corn seed to enhance seed/soil contact in no-till planting systems. This approach is proposed to overcome limitations to effective early planting of corn in cool, wet, reduced-till soil conditions.
Total Project Cost in 1998: $63,825
OCPA Contribution: $6,000
(Also supported by National Soil & Water Conservation Program - NSWCP.)

Projects Continuing from 1997

Tillage and Cropping Systems

Impact of Tillage System Continuity on Crop Yield and Soil Parameters
T. Vyn, Guelph; C. Topp, Ottawa; B. Curnoe, Kemptville; C. Drury, Harrow
Total Project Cost in 1998: $60,000   
OCPA Contribution: $25,000
(Also supported by AAFC-MII.)

Potassium (K) Placement for No-till Crop Production
T. Vyn, Guelph
Total Project Cost in 1998: $80,000   
OCPA Contribution: $10,000
(Also supported by Grow Ontario; Potash & Phosphate Institute; Pioneer Hi-Bred.)

Enhancing Corn Productivity Through Zone-Tillage on Heavier Textured Soils
T. Vyn, Guelph; C. Drury, Harrow; D. Young, Ridgetown
Total Project Cost in 1998: $189,000
OCPA Contribution: $40,000
(Also supported by CanAdapt; OSGMB; AAFC-MII; and several machinery companies.)

Zone-Till Research for Corn on Lighter Textured Soils
R. Bayaert, Delhi
Total Project Cost in 1998: $62,000
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
(Also supported by AAFC-MII.)

Nitrogen Utilization Efficiency

New Test for Improved Prediction of Available Nitrogen (N)
E. Beauchamp, Guelph; B. Curnoe, Kemptville; C. Drury, Harrow)
Total Project Cost in 1998: $197,166   
OCPA Contribution: $30,000
(Also supported by CanAdapt; and AAFC-MII.)

Precision Farming for Increased N Utilization Efficiency
D. Young, Ridgetown; E. Beauchamp, Guelph
Total Project Cost in 1998: $78,000   
OCPA Contribution: $7,500
(Also supported by Grow Ontario.)   

Improved Tests for N Availability to Corn From Animal Manures Applied to Soils
M. Goss, Guelph       
Total Project Cost in 1998: $40,000   
OCPA Contribution: $20,000

Dynamics of N Availability and Soil with Various Nitrogen Amendments
E. Gregorich, Ottawa
Total Project Cost in 1998: $138,000
OCPA Contribution: $15,000
(Also supported by AAFC-MII.)

Interpreting Yield Variation from Soil Structure and Soil Water Parameters
(B. Kay, Guelph)
Total Project Cost in 1998: $35,000
OCPA Contribution: $20,000

Weed Management and Sprayer Technology

Spatially-Variable Sprayer for Precision Weed Control
F. Tardif, R. Brown, Guelph
Total Project Cost in 1998: $42,500   
OCPA Contribution: $10,625
(Also supported by OSGMB; and FS2002.)

Evaluation of Advanced Sprayers
M. Crutchley, Ridgetown
Total Project Cost in 1998: $67,520   
OCPA Contribution: $8,000
(Also supported by FS2002, and OSGMB.)

Management of Ear Molds, Mycotoxins and Corn Pests

Fusarium Resistance and Genetic Improvement in Ontario Corn Through Biotechnology
J. Singh, S. Gleddie, L. Harris, Ottawa; K. Kasha, P. Pauls, Guelph
Total Project Cost in 1998: $985,000   
OCPA Contribution: $60,000
(Also supported by CanAdapt; AAFC-MII; Ontario Research Enhancement Program; Ontario Pork; several seed/biotech. companies; U. of G. Plants Program; and AAFC and U. of G. base funding.)

Ontario Agri-Food Technologies Grower/Industry/University/Government Joint Initiative
Annual Operating Budget of approximately $300,000; plus project specific funding, such as the Corn Enhancement Consortium (CEC)
OCPA Membership: $2,500
OCPA Support for CEC $1,000
The Corn Enhancement Consortium (CEC) is a coalition of corn sector stakeholders, encompassing input supply companies (seed, biotech, crop protection, fertilizer, etc.), corn growers, elevator and marketing interests, livestock groups, corn processors, and public research institutions. The goals of the CEC are to collectively identify corn biotechnology research objectives strategic to the enhancement of Ontario’s corn sector over the long term, and to form project partnerships around each of these strategic research areas, to develop and implement a research plan and secure funding for the project. Each CEC participant contributes to support the operational cost of the consortium, which is managed as a self-supporting sub-committee of OAFT.

Temperature Effect on Fusarium Epidemiology, and Annual Ear Mold/Mycotoxin Survey
L. Reid, Ottawa; A. Schaafsma, Ridgetown
Total Project Cost in 1998: $66,000
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
(Also supported by AAFC-MII; and Ontario Pork.)

Pest Management in No-till Field Crops: Corn (overall project also includes wheat, soybeans and edible beans)
A. Schaafsma, Ridgetown
Total Project Cost in 1998: $303,240
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
(Also supported by Grow Ontario; and a broad coalition of commodity and industry groups.)

Controlling Insect Pests of Corn in Ontario Using Entomogenous Nematodes
E. Riga, Vineland
Total Project Cost in 1998: $50,000   
OCPA Contribution: $5,000
(Also supported by AAFC-MII.)

Corn Breeding

Guelph/Ridgetown Breeding Program for Longer-Season Maturities of Ontario Corn
E. Lee, (L. Kannenberg), Guelph
Total Project Cost in 1998: $40,000   
OCPA Contribution: $20,000

University of Guelph Corn Breeding Researcher
E. Lee, Guelph
OCPA Contribution: up to $10,000

Development of Fusarium and Multiple Pest Resistance in Ontario Corn
L. Reid, Ottawa
Total Project Cost in 1998: $305,000   
OCPA Contribution: $35,000
(Also supported by AAFC-MII; Ontario Pork.)

Grain Quality, Drying & Storage

Improved Marketability and Competitiveness of Ontario Corn for Quality-Based Markets
R. Brown, Guelph; (G. Ablett), Ridgetown
Total Project Cost in 1998: $276,000
OCPA Contribution: $41,000
(Also supported by Grow Ontario; and corn processors and seed companies.)