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Annual Report 2000
ASPARAGUS RESEARCH
It has been over 20 years that the asparagus industry has been working with the University of Guelph to develop high yielding, high quality asparagus seed for Ontario. For the past four years, the Ontario Asparagus Growers' Marketing Board has been working extensively on a project with the University of Guelph to develop and make new varieties of asparagus seed available for producers in Ontario. This will give our producers a competitive advantage over imported products through higher yielding, better quality asparagus. The Ontario Asparagus Growers' Marketing Board will be conducting this project on a long term basis. The supermale and female plants are being produced through tissue culture at the University of Guelph, and then planted at the Simcoe Research Station. Harvest of the Guelph asparagus seed has been completed and the Board will have a commercial amount of seed available for sale again this year. The two varieties which were sold this past spring were the Guelph Millennium and G178xG305 varieties. The G52xG305 variety has been discontinued. Through field trials, these varieties have proven to be much better than the imported seed that is available.
The following is a report submitted by Randy Baker, who has been working extensively on maintaining the seed plot on behalf of the Board:
ASPARAGUS SEED PRODUCTION 2000
The year 2000 held a lot of promise for a good year of seed production. More than adequate rainfall in May helped produce a strong and vigorous stand of plants.
Some adjustments were made to bee hive placement with better results in seed volume throughout the planting. The areas of inadequate pollination were identified and remedial action may be initiated if seed volumes need to be increased.
Insect and rust control were provided on a routine spray schedule as needed. Excessive rainfall in June and July created a residual herbicide deficiency and summer grass infestation became widespread.
Harvesting occurred from Sept 18th to Sept 28th. Volume of seed necessitated that seed be depulped during the daylight hours and several trips were made between the seed bed and the seed cleaning location.
The additional labour support that is required for roguing volunteers has increased slightly. Many thanks go to the support help that worked diligently under my supervision, for, without them, the rapid removal of undesirable volunteers would be a big job for one person.
Seed production in 2000 was good and the Board has a major task at hand to sell all the seed that was harvested.
The following is a report submitted by David Wolyn and Paul Banks on the University of Guelph Asparagus Breeding Program:
Multi-location Trials of Guelph Hybrids--Table 1
Guelph Millennium continues to be the best hybrid at three locations. In 2000, Millennium yielded more than double that of Jersey Giant at Cambridge and Simcoe.
Trials in the Field at Cambridge
P18,P19
Trials of new hybrids were planted in May 1999 at Cambridge and Simcoe. At the Cambridge site 28 new hybrids were planted, while a subset of 17 hybrids was planted at Simcoe. Differences were due to insufficient seed of some crosses. Twenty-one newly selected females were crossed to supermale G305 and a limited number of females was crossed to AM050 and AC112. First harvest (2wks) will commence in 2001. Three full harvests will be completed in 2004.
A99
Forty-five new hybrid combinations were planted in a preliminary trial in 1999. Selected females were crossed to promising supermales. Evaluations will commence in 2001.
A00
Thirty-eight selected females were crossed to the supermale G305 in 1999 and a trial was established in 2000. Evaluations will commence in 2002.
Efforts to Identify New Breeding Materials
Selections from Viking fields
- 192 clones planted in 1999 (Crossing of selections to commence in 2001)
- 185 clones planted in 2000 (Crosses in 2002)
- 250 clones collected in 1999 and to be planted in 2001 (Crosses in 2003)
- 278 clones collected in 2000 and to be planted in 2002 (Crosses in 2004)
Crosses of superior males and females
- 1065 progeny from crosses of superior males and females planted in 1999 (Crosses of selections to commence in 2001)
- 687 progeny from crosses of superior males and females planted in 2000 (Crosses to commence in 2002)
Identification of new supermales
Progeny from male plants to be evaluated and testcrossed
- 849 progeny planted in 1999 (Testcrosses of selections to commence in 2001)
- 826 progeny planted in 2000 (Testcrosses to commence in 2002) (To be evaluated for rust and spear quality and selected individuals testcrossed)
- 57 testcrosses of putative supermales from males planted in previous years were planted in 2000, 15 new supermales are expected to be identified in 2001, then crossed to new females in 2002
- 10 new supermales were identified in 1999 and crosses with females commenced in 2000 for planting in 2001
ASPARAGUS SEED SALES
In 2000, the Ontario Asparagus Growers' Marketing Board again acted as distributor of the Jersey asparagus seed varieties. The Jersey varieties are a male hybrid line imported from the U.S.A. In 2000, 107 pounds was sold compared to 29 pounds in 1999.
The Board was very pleased to have a commercial amount of the Guelph all-male hybrid asparagus seed available for sale. In 2000 the Guelph Millennium seed was all sold. 327 pounds in Ontario and 294 pounds out of the province. The total sales of the Guelph varieties increased by 31% from 1999. the prices of the Guelph seed will remain the same which are comparable prices to the U.S. varieties. The Guelph Millennium asparagus seed will be sold for $500.00 per pound; and the G178xG305 variety for $400.00 per pound. The G52xG305 variety left from the 1999 harvest, will be sold for $300.00 per pound.
It is optimistic to see more seed being sold in Ontario. In 2000, 53% of the total seed sales was sold in Ontario compared to 28% in 1999.
ASPARAGUS SEED SALES - (Pounds)
1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
11 | 47 | 120 | 144 | 359 | 226.5 | 381 | 217 | 421 | 621 |
As can be seen by the charts above and below, the volume of asparagus seed sold has increased considerably. The Guelph Millennium and G178xG305 are the recommended varieties as these are all male hybrids which show very promising results and promise to double and triple the yields of the Jersey Giant variety, according to trials.
2000 BREAKDOWN OF SALES BY VARIETY | |||
---------- Pounds ---------- | |||
Jersey | Guelph | ||
Destination | Varieties | Varieties | Total |
Board Members | 21 | 72 | 93.00 |
Root Producers | 86 | 148 | 234 |
Out of Province | 0 | 294 | 294 |
Total | 107 | 514 | 621.00 |
BREAKDOWN OF SALES BY YEAR | ||||||
Destination | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
| - - - - - - - - pounds - - - - - - - - | |||||
Board Members | 195.50 | 61.50 | 129.75 | 81.78 | 69.00 | 93.00 |
Root Producers | 158.00 | 160.00 | 223.75 | 96.25 | 47.00 | 234.00 |
Out of Province | 5.50 | 5.00 | 27.50 | 39.00 | 305.00 | 294.00 |
Total | 359.00 | 226.50 | 381.00 | 217.00 | 421.00 | 621.00 |
Value 1999 - $150,547 Value 2000 - $290,221
Direct grower and root producer purchases have increased as growers are now seeing the in-field results (yield, quality, etc.) of the new all Canadian male hybrid lines. Out of province sales were basically the same as last year.
PROMOTION
Once again this year we worked very closely with Foodland Ontario. We would like to thank the staff for all of their help and guidance in producing and setting up radio spots, and also for co-ordinating other promotions.
This year the Board had increased its budget for promotion to $20,000. The bulk of this was used for radio spots during the last part of May and the first week of June, targeting selected markets in Southern Ontario. Growers also attended some radio talk shows, as well as participated in promotions featuring asparagus in London and Toronto. We also participated in interviews with cooking shows, and in numerous newspaper stories as well as in two television clips. These public relation activities are a great "bang for the buck", with the only cost to the Board being time and expenses of directors that are involved. The only problem is at that time of year growers time is valuable and it is difficult to find time to attend. During the off-season the Board met with the Ontario and Canadian Produce Marketing Association to discuss how we can promote more Ontario asparagus. We had planned a much larger promotion this year using funds from Healthy Futures; unfortunately, some grower(s) did not feel this was worthwhile and convinced the approval committee of Healthy Futures to reject our proposal.
The Board is currently out of stock of bands and is asking for direction from growers, committeemen, and directors on what should be done regarding bands.
The Board once again provided growers with beautiful new recipe brochures at no cost to member growers. (Growers who have less than 2 acres and choose not to be associate members are charged full price for brochures). CanAdapt helped fund these recipe brochures.
If growers have ideas for promoting asparagus, please contact the Board office or your local director.
ACREAGE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM
Again this year, the asparagus acreage measurements were completed by Paul Van den Borre using a Global Positioning System. By having the measurements completed using this system rather than doing them manually, provided growers with an accurate acreage amount and also provided clearer maps of their asparagus plantings.
The acreage measurement program continues to maintain an acreage inventory for the purpose of assessing annual licence fees. In this manner, each grower provides financial support to the Board for operations which are generic to all of the asparagus growers.
The total cost of the acreage measurement program increased substantially this year because almost all of the district 4 asparagus growers needed a measurement completed this year. It was necessary to send our measurer to have these completed since some growers reported changes last year. Please note, that acreage measurements had not been done in district 4 in 1998 or 1999. By next year our goal is to have all acreage measured and mapped by GPS.
The chart gives a cost comparison on an annual basis of the acreage measurement program:
SUMMARY OF ACREAGE MEASUREMENT PROGRAM | |||
| 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
Total Producers Measured | 42 | 44 | 60 |
Total Acres Measured | 1,360 | 860 | 1,398 |
Average Acres Meas./Grower | 32.4 | 19.6 | 23.3 |
Total Cost of Measurer | $4,079 | $2,580 | $5,643 |
Average Cost/Measurement | $97 | $59 | $94 |
Average Cost/Acre | $3.00 | $3.00 | $4.04 |
ACRES PLOUGHED OUT | |
2000 | 141 |
1999 | 220 |
1998 | 314 |
1997 | 176 |
1996 | 35 |
1995 | 206 |
The amount of acres ploughed out have decreased slightly from last year. The 141 acres removed by growers this year consisted primarily of die outs in the field, and older, inefficient patches. Approximately 184 acres of the high yielding varieties were planted this year.
The following chart shows the grower population by size of planting. This year we have 107 growers, which is up 1 from last year. Although relatively unchanged in past years, the number of growers in the 2 to 5 acre category has increased from 20% to 22%; in the 5 to 10 acre category the number has decreased from 27% to 25%; and in the 50 to 100 acre category the number has increased 4% to 6%.
2000 | ||
Size of Acreage | # of Producers | % |
2 to 5 acres | 23 | 22% |
5 to 10 acres | 27 | 25% |
10 to 20 acres | 21 | 20% |
20 to 50 acres | 26 | 24% |
50 to 100 acres | 7 | 6% |
100 acres + | 3 | 3% |
Total | 107 | 100% |
ACREAGE REPORT BY DISTRICT | ||||||
| Dist. | Dist. | Dist. | Dist. | Dist. | |
Description | No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 4 | No. 5 | Total |
No. of Producers | 20 | 46 | 13 | 12 | 16 | 107 |
Percent of Total | 19% | 43% | 12% | 11% | 15% | 100% |
Acres Planted 2000 | 14 | 130 | 17 | 5 | 18 | 184 |
Acres Planted 1999 | 65 | 26 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 117 |
Acres Planted 1998 | 82 | 111 | 14 | 0 | 33 | 240 |
Acres Planted 1997 | 34 | 182 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 232 |
Acres Planted 1996 | 53 | 131 | 28 | 15 | 6 | 233 |
Acres Planted 1995 | 14 | 63 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 103 |
Acres Planted 1994 | 6 | 75 | 15 | 0 | 12 | 108 |
Acres Planted 1993 | 0 | 50 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 58 |
Acres Planted 1992 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Acres Planted 1991 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
Acres > 10 Years | 147 | 472 | 116 | 48 | 117 | 900 |
Non Bearing Acres | 79 | 178 | 34 | 12 | 36 | 339 |
Bearing Acreage | 340 | 1,095 | 197 | 94 | 194 | 1,920 |
Total Acreage | 419 | 1,273 | 231 | 106 | 230 | 2,259 |
Percent of Total | 19% | 56% | 10% | 5% | 10% | 100% |
Avg. Age - Years | 7.3 | 8.6 | 9.4 | 11.5 | 9.7 | 8.6 |
Avg. Acres/Grower | 21.0 | 27.7 | 17.8 | 8.8 | 14.4 | 21.1 |
Avg. Acres/Grower - 1999 20.6 Avg. Age/Acre - 1999 8.6
Avg. Acres/Grower - 1998 20.0 Avg. Age/Acre - 1998 9.9
Avg. Acres/Grower - 1997 21.6 Avg. Age/Acre - 1997 9.7
The "Acreage Report by District" chart shows the state of our asparagus plantings as at September 30, 2000. The bearing acreage has increased by 91 acres from 1999 and 184 acres were planted in 2000. The total acreage has increased by approximately 73 acres in 2000. The Board sold approximately 327 pounds of asparagus seed in Ontario this year, which means that over 300 acres of asparagus should be planted next year. The number of producers basically remained the same as last year.
District 1's total acreage has decreased by 33 acres from 1999; District 2 has increased by 60 acres; District 3 has increased by 18 acres; District 4 has increased by 32 acres; and District 5 has decreased by 5 acres.
2000 | ||||||
| Dist. | Dist. | Dist. | Dist. | Dist. | Total |
Year | No. 1 | No. 2 | No. 3 | No. 5 | No. 4 | Acreage |
1991 | 557 | 1,227 | 369 | 146 | 691 | 2,990 |
1992 | 438 | 1,170 | 284 | 126 | 505 | 2,523 |
1993 | 423 | 1,084 | 269 | 126 | 412 | 2,314 |
1994 | 398 | 1,112 | 278 | 92 | 323 | 2,203 |
1995 | 391 | 1,121 | 209 | 92 | 330 | 2,143 |
1996 | 452 | 1,255 | 216 | 85 | 344 | 2,352 |
1997 | 424 | 1,352 | 230 | 90 | 346 | 2,442 |
1998 | 403 | 1,264 | 222 | 83 | 290 | 2,262 |
1999 | 452 | 1,212 | 213 | 74 | 235 | 2,186 |
2000 | 419 | 1,273 | 231 | 106 | 230 | 2,259 |
From the years 1993 to 1995, the acreage had declined an average of 110 acres per year. In 1996 and 1997, the increased level of new plantings and seed sales has generated an increase in acreage. From 1998 to 1999 the acreage had declined by 76 acres which were old, low yielding patches. In 2000, the acreage increased by 73 acres from 1999.
CROP PRODUCTION
An extensive survey had been conducted to support the production/sales chart presented below. This task was extremely difficult as a lot of growers were reluctant to divulge any information or representative data. All information is strictly confidential and is only used for the annual report. It is very important to have production information included in the report because when there is a bad production year for growers, the Board would have proof of this by providing the report to the government should financial assistance be required. It would be greatly appreciated and beneficial to obtain this information in order to complete accurate data reports. This year we only received responses from 50% of our growers.
The average asparagus price was slightly lower this year, decreasing from $1.44 per pound to $1.37 per pound. The average return on farm gate sales was $1.34 per pound (down 37 cents from last year); wholesale was $1.38 per pound (down 3 cents from last year); and processing was $1.35 per pound (down 3 cents from last year). The processing prices set were the same as last year, however, less 5-1/2" product was shipped in 2000, which decreased the average processing price.
Overall, 2000 was viewed as a fairly good production year in most areas of the province, with an average yield of 2,250 pounds per acre. The average yield has increased approximately 12% from 1999.
These are all blended prices including all grades sold within that category.
2000 ONTARIO SUMMARY | ||||||||||
| A C R E A G E | SALES IN '000 LBS | VALUE | YIELD | ||||||
Dist. | Mature | Exempt | Total | Farm | Wholesale | Proc | Total | $/lb | $/ac | lb/ac |
No. 1 | 340 | 79 | 419 | 75 | 282 | 288 | 645 | $1.37 | $2,590 | 1,894 |
No. 2 | 1,094 | 178 | 1,272 | 494 | 2,091 | 184 | 2,769 | $1.31 | $3,325 | 2,531 |
No. 3 | 197 | 34 | 231 | 193 | 65 | 23 | 281 | $1.63 | $2,336 | 1,427 |
No. 4 | 94 | 12 | 106 | 19 | 110 | 0 | 129 | $1.54 | $2,121 | 1,318 |
No. 5 | 195 | 36 | 231 | 28 | 438 | 34 | 438 | $1.47 | $3,741 | 2,541 |
Total | 1,920 | 339 | 2,259 | 809 | 2,981 | 529 | 4,319 | $1.37 | $3,077 | 2,250 |
% of Total | 85% | 15% | 100% | 19% | 69% | 12% | 100% |
| ||
(1999) | 1,829 | 357 | 2,186 | 428 | 2,796 | 464 | 3,388 | $1.44 | $2,895 | 2,014 |
| 84% | 16% | 100% | 12% | 75% | 13% | 100% |
| ||
SUMMARY OF CROP AND MARKET STATISTICS | |||||
Description | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
No.1 Grade - 5-1/2 inch ('000 lbs) | 115 | 99 | 12 | 57 | 33 |
No.1 Grade - 7 inch ('000 lbs) | 726 | 377 | 420 | 395 | 481 |
No.2 Grade - 7 inch ('000 lbs) | 29 | 11 | 8 | 12 | 15 |
Total Processed ('000 lbs) | 870 | 487 | 440 | 464 | 529 |
Total Ontario Crop ('000 lbs) | 3,783 | 2,621 | 3,348 | 3,688 | 4,319 |
Ontario Bearing Acreage | 2,039 | 1,989 | 1,887 | 1,831 | 1,920 |
Total Farm Value ('000 $) | 5,127 | 4,134 | 4,476 | 5,301 | 5,907 |
Average Return $/lb. | 1.36 | 1.58 | 1.34 | 1.44 | 1.37 |
Yield (lbs./acre) | 1,856 | 1,317 | 1,774 | 2,014 | 2,250 |
Percent of Crop Processed | 23.0 | 18.6 | 13.1 | 12.6 | 12.2 |
Number of Processing Growers | 52 | 51 | 44 | 40 | 44 |
Minimum Prices (dollars/lb.) - Processing | |||||
No.1 Grade - 5-1/2 inch | 1.83 | 1.83 | 1.83 | 1.83 | 1.83 |
No.1 Grade - 7 inch | 1.34 | 1.34 | 1.34 | 1.34 | 1.34 |
No.2 Grade - 7 inch | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.70 |
2000 (1999) PROCESSING DELIVERIES | |||||
| '000 Pounds | '000 Pounds | % of Contracts | % of Total | Number |
District #1 | 240 (199) | 285 (192) | 115% (96%) | 54% (41%) | 13 (10) |
District #2 & 5 | 240 (255) | 219 (247) | 91% (97%) | 42% (52%) | 28 (28) |
District #3 | 30 ( 39) | 23 ( 33) | 78% (85%) | 4% ( 7%) | 3 ( 2) |
District #4 | 0 (0) | 0 ( 0) | 0% ( 0%) | 0% ( 0%) | 0 ( 0) |
Total | 518 (493) | 527 (472) | 102% ( 96%) | 100% (100%) | 44 (40) |
The above chart shows the amount of No. 1 grade 7 inch asparagus each district contracted and delivered. The No. 1 grade 5-1/2 inch asparagus deliveries were multiplied by 136% in order to reach the No. 1 grade 7 inch equivalent amount.
In 1999, the Board had a new processing program developed, however, there are still changes that need to be made and there are parts of the program which still need to be completed. This has been very frustrating because the programmer who designed the program took on another job and was not able to get the processing system totally complete. We will be pressuring him during the next few months to get things completed. How the system is supposed to work is when growers deliver their asparagus to either the Langton or Thamesville receiving stations, the delivery data is entered into the computer and printed out on a grower certificate. At the end of each day, all data is e-mailed to the Board office, which then provided an actual inventory of asparagus on a daily basis. Having a better marketing system will allow the Board to be more efficient and make it possible to assemble loads quicker, which in turn will provide processors with fresher, better quality asparagus.
The processing prices remained unchanged at $1.83/lb. for No. 1 grade 5-1/2 inch; $1.34/lb. for No. 1 grade 7 inch; and $0.70/lb. for No. 2 grade 7 inch. Growers delivered 102% of their contracts, and 114% of our processor commitments were fulfilled. Last year growers delivered 96% of their contracts and processors received 94% of their contracts.
For those growers who did their best to fulfill their contracts, the Board would like to thank you for your effort and support.
FINANCIAL REPORT
| 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
Total Revenue | $81,104 | $124,156 | $129,192 | $194,594 | $294,043 |
Total Expenses | $109,722 | $111,999 | $115,114 | $130,400 | $137,003 |
Net Profit (Loss) | $(28,618) | $12,157 | $14,078 | $64,194 | $157,040 |
The above financial review represents the Board's General Account and does not include the assets, liabilities, and operations of the area committees.
Revenues have increased in 2000 basically due to the increased sales of the Guelph asparagus seed. In analysing the other accounts of the Board, almost all expenditures and revenues were on budget. Because the Board had an excellent profit this year, growers whose account is in good standing with the Board will be rebated 100% of their 2000 acreage license fees.
The following is a summary of the Board's operating costs in respect to office staff and directors expenses from the years 1987 to 2000, which have been taken from the Board's audited statement of revenues and expenditures annually.
Year | Office Staff & Sales Manager | Office Travel | Directors P.D. & Exp. | Honourariums | Total |
1987 | $69,461 | $7,675 | $39,184 | $1,400 | $117,720 |
1988 | $63,992 | $7,206 | $38,019 | $1,400 | $110,617 |
1989* | $95,614 | $8,111 | $28,386 | $1,475 | $133,586 |
1990* | $73,583 | $6,559 | $24,340 | $1,250 | $105,732 |
1991 | $46,553 | $0 | $18,667 | $1,250 | $66,470 |
1992 | $32,839 | $1,179 | $29,198 | $1,250 | $64,466 |
1993 | $37,745 | $715 | $32,952 | $1,250 | $72,662 |
1994 | $35,342 | $378 | $37,157 | $1,250 | $74,127 |
1995 | $37,458 | $715 | $47,502 | $1,250 | $86,925 |
1996* | $41,081 | $124 | $65,538 | $0 | $106,743 |
1997* | $39,845 | $411 | $59,540 | $0 | $99,796 |
1998* | $35,622 | $610 | $70,048 | $0 | $106,280 |
1999* | $33,043 | $301 | $63,899 | $0 | $97,243 |
2000* | $29,206 | $2,201 | $64,296 | $0 | $95,722 |
NOTE:
- 1989 & 1990 - The Board handled the marketing of fresh asparagus.
- 1996 to Present - The Guelph seed block was developed in 1996, which increased the directors per diem and expenses for these years.
SUMMARY
It is a great feeling of accomplishment when the Board is able to rebate growers 100% of their acreage license fees due to a profit level. We should look back to the years when the Board was in financial distress and look at what has been accomplished since then. A lot of time and effort has been put forth in order to get where we are today and it is hoped that growers will give recognize this.
A number of people deserve a great deal of thanks including our directors, processors, researchers, governments, member bodies, and especially the growers for their continued support, confidence, and cooperation in the Board.
The Board would like to wish all of our asparagus producers the best for the year 2001.
December 2, 2000