More Farmer Checkoffs

[charliep]

Would you be okay with a completely private based research and development based system similar to Europe? In the case of plant breeding, access to new genetics financed/developed wholely by the private sector with return on their investment via end use levies (pedigreed and saved seed)?

[charliep]

Again highlight Australia. My understanding is that GRDC is effectively a national commission funding activities on a whole bunch of levels.

An area they with Universities, major companies, etc is plant breeding. Somehow (don't know how), they maintain a equity interest in the proceeds new varieties and use returns on this money to re-invest in further plant breeding projects. Farmers pay for access to varieties via an end use levy. Could be corrected again but my understanding is that returns on investments from currently released varieties is basically paying for on going plant breeding projects. This has allowed GRDC to refocus in efforts on agronomic research, market development, extension. will look for others help/comments.

[charliep]

An interesting comment in a friend's newsletter.

[URL="http://www.open-i.ca/oi111021.pdf"]open-i[/URL]

OPINION: The adoption of production
technology, including minimum till and
glyphosate resistant seed has made canola the
preferred cropping option over much of Western
Canada. This together with the markets ready
acceptance of what is now regarded as a superior
product had lead to the phenomenal growth in
exports.
How much further can this go? Will canola
come to dominate cropping the way wheat does
in north-western Europe or corn and soya bean
in the US Mid West? This would almost
certainly require the scientist to stay ahead of
close rotation challenges, rather than the need to
find new markets.
David Walker, Edmonton, AB, CA

[parsley]

In reply, charliep, I'll quote a somewhat dull
witted, irritating farmer;

"who  am I to argue private money should not
fund and  own the product?"

Would be more than pleased to elaborate. Pars