Canadian Grain Industry Gathers in Saskatoon [Jan. 13-16]

Jan 13, 2014

Western Canadian Crop Protection Show Kicks Off

Western Canada’s premier grain industry event aimed at showcasing the latest technology, equipment and services to grain growers opens its doors this week at Prairieland Park Corporation in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The Western Canadian Crop Production Show is expected to attract about sixteen thousand people over four days. A total of 336 companies will be present, featuring more than 1,000 trade show booth displays.

One of the largest features at the show this year is grain storage. With record yields, some farmers, especially in Saskatchewan where they grew the largest crop in the province’s history, have to revaluate their grain storage capacity situation. A number of companies are offering new options for grain storage, targeting those farmers who’ve been growing bigger yields, outgrowing their storage facilities.

More information on the Western Canadian Crop Production Show can be found on its website at: http://www.cropproductiononline.com/

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.