11/18/08 Idaho bean seed for Mexico, part 2

The finishing touches are being put on a report that analyzes yields and quality for several different varieties of yellow beans that are popular with Mexican growers near Sinaloa. STEWART WILLIAMS "And we wanted to know about the agronomic characteristics for production in Idaho and then at the same time we wanted to know would the seeds from these varieties be acceptable to growers and ultimately buyers in Sinaloa." Idaho Foundation Seed manager Kathy Stewart Williams says they looked at growth rates, seed size, yield and resistance to mosaic virus in their field trials. STEWART WILLIAMS "The yields are pretty good. Pretty competitive. I don't think this is the best bean growing season I've ever had. But everything was kind of middle of the road." She is in the process of packing seed samples for Mexican buyers who say the color of the seed is important to them. STEWART WILLIAMS "Because apparently in their climate the seed changes color in a relatively short period of time and it becomes unattractive in the market place. So we are going to send some of that seed down to them. They will put it in storage conditions just like the rest of their seed and take it out from time to time and evaluate that color." It's up to the Idaho Bean Commission to continue on with the seed project but Stewart Williams says interest on both sides of the border remains strong. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott