CBRC announces funding for CDC

Sep 17, 2020

The coalition will invest $2.7 million over five years

Staff Writer

Farms.com

The University of Saskatchewan’s Crop Development Centre (CDC) recently received a $2.7-million investment from the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC).

The Saskatchewan Barley Development Commission (SaskBarley), Alberta Barley and Manitoba Crop Alliance are members of the CBRC, and the investment spans five years.

“On the barley side, the CDC is one of our main breeders. We definitely need them in the mix. Some of the main varieties we use today came out of the CDC,” said Brent Johnson, the vice chair of SaskBarley and a board member of the CBRC.

The CDC will use the funding to develop new varieties, said Johnson.

“We're going to continue to see top-of-the-line genetics in barley. That's going to help guarantee we continue to stay competitive on the quality side. Our malts are where we really shine in Western Canada. We have some of the best malt in the world and we have to keep pushing that envelope all the time,” he told Farms.com.

The CDC has produced good results for western Canadian growers and continued funding for this public breeder is a step in the right direction, said Johnson.

“As long as we can find ways to fund this program, and others, robustly, we'll continue to have what we've always had – some of the best genetics in the world,” said Johnson.

Photo credit: CNH Industrail photo

Video: Residue Management

Residue Management conservation practice manages the amount, orientation, and distribution of crop and other plant residue on the soil surface year-round while limiting soil-disturbing activities used to grow and harvest crops in systems where the field surface is tilled prior to planting. This video explores how Ryan McKenzie implemented this conservation practice on his farm in Samson, Alabama.

Practice benefits:

• Increases organic matter

• Improves air quality

• Decreases energy costs

• Reduces erosion

• Improves soil health

The Conservation at Work video series was created to increase producer awareness of common conservation practices and was filmed at various locations throughout the country. Because conservation plans are specific to the unique resource needs on each farm and also soil type, weather conditions, etc., these videos were designed to serve as a general guide to the benefits of soil and water conservation and landowners should contact their local USDA office for individual consultation.