SeedQuest, carries a report that; at the G8 leaders summit meeting in Hokkaido Japan they have agreed to work to increase global agricultural yields by providing farmers with greater access to seed varieties developed through biotechnology.

As part of their efforts to address food security and poverty, they would “accelerate research and development and increase access to new agricultural technologies to boost agricultural production,” and “promote science-based risk analysis including on the contribution of seed varieties developed through biotechnology.”

The G8 leaders also agreed to form a global partnership on agriculture and food, which would include the governments of developing countries, the private sector, civil society groups, international donors, and multilateral institutions.

For the full story click on the Seedquest link above.

There will be a little extra supply cushion for dry beans in 2008-09, says a story from Syngenta Farm.

According to updated released by Agriculture Canada revised its supply-demand estimates, raising new-crop dry bean ending stocks to 20,000 tonnes, up 5,000 tonnes from the May 27 estimate and on par with 2007-08.

This increase in ending stocks is attributed to a 57,000-tonne increase expected 2008 production. Production rises to 277,000 tonnes, which is on par with 2007 and reflects a larger-than-expected planted area. Based on last week’s StatsCan acreage report, Canadian dry bean planted area is now pegged at about 363,000 acres compared to the previous May estimate of 286,000.

Much of the additional dry bean production is expected to disappear through exports, which was revised to 270,000 tonnes from the figure of 220,000. This number however remains but remains below the 2007-08 export forecast of 290,000 tonnes. Expected domestic use is also projected higher from May figures.

The average expected 2008-09 dry bean price remains unchanged at $815-$845/t.

The story in its entirety can be found here

OMAFRA – July 3 Edible Beans crop update – Planting is 95% complete provincially, with planting completed in northern areas, but southern areas still struggling to finish. Emergence has been good, with some damage from local pounding rains and hail. Leafhopper populations have been low, but this can change quickly now that much of the first cut forage is occurring and with warmer dry weather in the forecast. Bean leaf beetle have been increasing in dry bean fields the past few years and low levels of leaf feeding injury can now be seen.

 Acres were estimated (from the June 30^th USDA report) at 190,000 acres, down 10,000 from last year. Expected harvested acres were estimated at 185,000 acres.

As well as powders of ground cooked beans, which are intended to make it more convenient and easier to use and include beans and bean products in consumers’ diets and food manufactures’ product formulations.

For the full story click here

From the Thompson edible bean report

Rain last weekend added to the already moist conditions in Ontario edible bean fields.

The crop is basically all planted however there could be a few areas that received too much moisture that need replanting. This has resulted in a greater variance in emergence that may translate into unevenness in plant maturity at harvest

Dry, sunny, warm weather is needed to get the last third to half of the crop going.

The crop in the ‘Manitoba Garden Belt’ is looking very good. 

Heat arrived bringing excellent growth.  A little rain during the warm spell would promote further and welcomed growth. Read more of the story here