Biodegradable film yielding good results for corn crops

A number of P.E.I. farms are trying something new with spring planting this year to boost theircrops in an environmentally-friendly way.

The seeds were sown beneath a thin protective film that's made of starch from vegetables likepotatoes or corn.

"It gets the corn growing faster, so it will mature faster less risks to those frosts in the fall," said RandyDrenth, who started using the technique athis Summerfield farm three years ago.

The biodegradable film, which keeps seedlings in a warm, greenhouse-likeenvironment for up to six weeks, was developed by a company in Ireland more than 20 years ago.

"We're always looking at new technologies and new ideas and new ways of doing it," said Drenth. "Get the corn growing as vigorously as possible so that that corn stays healthy and thriving."

In addition to protectingseedsfrom cold temperatures, it also helps prevent the soil from drying out. After about six weeks, the film degrades in the sunlight,breaking down and absorbing intothe soil.

Drenth was so impressed with the results, he told the owners of another family-runfarm. DeSableSee View Farm planted last week and the owners believe theircrop is already ahead of schedule.

'Doing our best'

Judy MacNevin, of DeSable See View Farm, said the bio film has been garnering a lot of attention from curious onlookers. "I got a couple of phone calls from neighbours saying what's with the plastic in your field?" she said.

She turned to social media to let people know it wasa biodegradable product, not regular plastic.

"The next morning I took a picture, posted it and explained yes, this is corn and the fact that this is a biodegradable film. I really wanted people to understand that, especially commercial farmers, we're doing our best," she said.

It isn't cheap, though. The bio filmcosts an extra $180 per acre.

Drenth saidthere are always risks in trying new systems, but sometimes the potential gains outweigh those risks.

"We are getting about an extra tonne to the acre, so that'd be about an extra 25 percent in yield, and itmatures faster," hesaid.

For Colin MacNevin, Judy's son,the system just makes sense and he's hoping to convince other Island farmers to give the technology a try.

"Judging by the many phone calls I received in the past week yes ... the average farmer can do this," he said.

More P.E.I. news