56 GERMINATION.CA NOVEMBER 2018 However, it’s important to note that high growth in average incomes doesn’t mean that poorer households will have an income growth. Per capita food demand in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to remain at relatively low levels, the authors note. Another factor contributing to demand is non-food uses of agricultural goods, particularly that of animal feed and fuel. “With the population growth slowing rapidly, it was the boom in using grains, sugar and oilseeds as transport fuel that was behind much of the run-up in prices during the past decade,” Sumner says. “Non-food uses, particularly feed and fuel, are impor- tant for several agricultural commodities, and often show faster growth rates than food demand,” the authors say. “In the case of feed, this will remain true in the coming decade. Biofuels by contrast were a major factor stimu- lating demand for agricultural commodities in the past decade, but growth is slowing down in the coming decade.” So Now What? With these projections in mind, is there any way that the seed industry can prepare? “The projections are business as usual,” says Sumner. “Maybe the biofuels subsidies and mandates will back off more quickly than they think. Maybe China will grow more slowly, maybe India will adopt more open trade policy and grow more rapidly, maybe more places in Africa will reduce conflicts and begin to take off rapidly. All of these changes in big places would affect the global path of production, consumption and prices.” There are a lot of things that can happen within the next decade, Sumner adds. But even with all the “what- ifs,” it’s important to be prepared and keep up with the projections for the future of agriculture. China European Union United States MENA Brazil India 2015-17 2027 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 DEMAND FOR FEED BY REGION NOTE: MENA stands for the Middle East and North Africa. Source: OECD/FAO (2018), “OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook”, OECD Agriculture statistic (database). Mt The former Packing & Palletizing Company (PPC), located in Winkler, Manitoba, is now called Ezratek, President Theo Polstra says. The name change comes as the company is undergoing an expansion of its production plant in Winkler. The business began in 2002 on the family farm in Prince Edward Island. As a farmer, Theo Polstra understood up close many of the struggles farmers face today. After studying mechanical engineering in Holland, Polstra first started the business by importing equipment for the potato industry from European companies, such as Dijkstra, Verbruggen, and Symach. Today, Ezratek builds its own custom designed automatic solutions; including, palletizers, automatic tag placers and big bag fillers for both the potato and grain industries and beyond. Ezratek also provides complete custom grading lines for the potato and onion industry, as well as automated palletizing systems for potato, onion, grass and grain industries and seed cleaners. Ezratek also has its US and Canadian patent for its automatic multi-tag placer. So you may ask yourself, why Ezratek? “We care,” says Polstra. “We have been on the other side and understand a lot of your struggles.” While minimizing your labor cost, and maximizing your labor force, Ezratek helps you streamline your processes and get your bags out the door. Ezratek is your automation solutions provider. For more information go to www.ezratek.com Manitoba Manufacturer Changes Name