MB Pulse And Soybean Growers Invests In 25 New Research Projects

Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers (MPSG) will be investing $1.4 million towards research in Manitoba in 2015.

 

The money will support 25 new soybean, edible bean and field pea projects.

 

Production specialist Kristen Podolsky says it's important to invest into research, especially with the huge expansion of soybeans in Manitoba over the last few years.

 

"We're able to optimize agronomic practices, not only in one region but in multiple growing regions across the province," she said. "We have very distinct growing areas in terms of growing season length, soil conditions, and moisture. So it's important that we're testing whether it's seeding rates or crop input use, efficient input use, [or] harvest management. It's important that we invest into research that will come up with the best management practices for each growing region."

 

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.