Weather, fertilizers growing opportunities for area farms

Thunder Bay's agricultural research station showed off its latest crop Thursday.

The station on Little Norway Road held its annual open house for farmers to see how special fertilizers are helping new types of crops take root in this area.

Station manager Tarlok Sahota said they've discovered that many species grown in other parts of the world can be successful in this climate. The station previously introduced soya beans to the area in the late 1990s and Canola in 2006.

Now they've developed Ontario's first crop of lentils, which Sahota said are high in fibre, protein, iron and zinc.

They're also growing feed crops for cattle that originated in Eastern Asia and Scandinavia. He added that their research, along with this summer's perfect growing weather, are combining to create new economic opportunities for the area.

The station has also helped a local farmer grow high quality millhouse barley, which is being ground into flour at his farm and being used to make pasta and bread.