b"SEED GROWERSeed Growers Working with Plant BreedersAt Corns Seeds they dont just grow seeds, they also work with the plant breeders who develop those seeds.THE CORNS FAMILYhas been farming for four generations. InThe family doesnt just grow seed and other crops, they also that time, theyve always focused on innovating in order to growhave a 400 head herd of Red Angus beef cattle. The livestock have and keep the farm going for the next generation.elevated the seed side of the business, with the Corns taking an Land stewardship has always been a really big focus on our farm.interest in forage seed and other grains to feed their animals. We're kind of born and bred farmers. So, we've always paid a lotThe livestock market really hadnt been addressed and focused of attention to what varieties are going to do well here and whaton by a lot of seed companies. So, we were really out there trying varieties are going to leave the land in good shape, Whitney Cornsto find different varieties and different grains to help our operation, says in a phone interview. help our cows by making good quality feed, Whitney says, adding Her grandfather Harvey Corns was the one who started thethis interest is what pushed them into the pedigreed seed business. familys interest in the seed industry. In the 1960s, Harvey startedTheir decision to get into the seed industry doesnt stop at the growing rye seed for Progressive Seeds, but it wasnt until the 1990sseed growing level. The Corns have also taken an active role in when brothers Bryan and Gary (Whitneys father) Corns startedworking with plant breeders and breeding programs to test out and the familys pedigreed seed business. Whitney herself returned todiscover the best varieties to grow on irrigated and non-irrigated the family farm six years ago after a stint working in the Okanaganland and find what are best to feed to livestock.Valley in British Columbia in the wine industry. We do spend a lot of time working with the research stations, (Bryan and Gary) have farmed together their whole lives. Andspecifically out of Lacombe. We have the distribution rights to they were quite progressive with trying new crops and trying newsome winter triticales, including AB Provider, AB Bronco and rotations and using different types of equipment to improve soilLuoma. Were always up to have discussions with the plant breeders health around our operation, Whitney explains.and look at the data and plots they have, Whitney explains.The Corns have 9,000 acres of cropland and grassland in GrassyOne of the plant breeders the Corns work with is Mazen Lake, Alta. The cropland is a mix of irrigated and non-irrigated,Aljarrah, the triticale crop breeder at the Olds Colleges Field running on a four-year crop rotation. For pedigreed seed, the familyCrop Development Centre (FCDC) in Lacombe, Alta. The Corns grows winter and spring triticale, winter wheat, barley, oats, andrelationship with FCDC and its triticale breeding program is long forage peas and sell sorghum sudangrass, millet and other coverestablished with the Corns first working with Aljarrahs predecessor crop seeds. They also grow commercial canola, silage, and feedDon Salmon. grains. Cattle at Corns Seeds in Grassy Lake, Alta. eat greenfeed. PHOTO: CORNS SEEDS38seed.ab.ca"