Record $12 Million For Crop Research Invested

Jan 17, 2019

Today federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay and Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit announced more than $12 million in funding for 44 crop-related research projects through Saskatchewan’s Agriculture Development Fund (ADF) and the Strategic Research Initiative (SRI).

The ADF and SRI programs are supported through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $388 million investment in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture by the federal and provincial governments.

“Our government is investing in programs that support the innovative and sustainable growth of the Canadian agricultural sector,” said MacAulay. “This funding in crop research will provide Canadian farmers, producers, and agribusinesses with the knowledge and technologies they need to compete globally and boost their bottom lines.”

“By investing in crop-related research, we’re investing in the future of Saskatchewan’s agriculture industry,” Marit said. “The projects we’re investing in today consist of a variety of fields of study, including herbicide resistance, pest control, crop breeding and much more. Not only do these projects enhance our industry by creating more opportunities for producers and agribusinesses, they cement our province as a leader in agriculture research.”

ADF support is awarded on a competitive basis to researchers looking to examine areas of importance to Saskatchewan producers. A few of the project topics include: developing a weed control system for herbicide resistant wild oat in wheat, enhancing the extraction of vitamins from canola crush co-product, establishing resistance to fusarium head blight in wheat, improving protein and seed quality in peas and determining the ideal seeding date for quinoa.

The SRI is a new program starting this year with the goal of providing targeted funding to advance strategic priorities within the industry. Projects are expected to go beyond the scope and scale of work normally undertaken in ADF, pursuing innovative research that will address complex challenges facing the industry.

This year funding has been awarded to a project that will increase the quantity and quality of protein in the smooth yellow pea while advancing crop breeding technologies.

In addition to funding provided by the federal and provincial governments, projects supported through the ADF are also receiving $3.6 million in funding from the following partners: The Western Grains Research Foundation, the Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission, the Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission, the Saskatchewan Flax Development Commission, the Prairie Oat Growers Association, the Alberta Wheat Commission and the Manitoba Wheat and Barley Growers Association.

“ADF provides a great forum for producer groups to collaborate and co-fund agricultural research that improves agricultural systems, varietal development and agronomic practices,” Western Grains Research Foundation Board Chair Terry Young said. “Producers are committed to investing in agricultural research, and partnerships like this one with ADF helps leverage the investment we as producers are making in research.”

Source : Government of Saskatchewan

Video: AJ Armstrong Takes the Helm as Manitoba Seed Growers President

The Manitoba Seed Growers Association (MSGA) held its first annual SeedLink Conference in Brandon last week, where a new president was appointed to take the helm of the organization.

A.J. Armstrong of Armstrong Seeds in Boissevain took the gavel from Past-President Tom Greaves. In a sit-down interview, Armstrong shared insights into his personal journey within the seed industry. Born into a family deeply rooted in seed cultivation, he took the reins of the family business in 2003, building on a legacy initiated by his father in 1980.

Regulatory modernization emerged as a significant focus of the conversation. While acknowledging the complexities of the process, Armstrong expressed optimism about the potential benefits for seed growers once the regulatory framework is finalized.

Discussing the dynamics of working with family in a business setting, he stressed the importance of open communication.

Operating with a streamlined team that includes his mom as the bookkeeper, his father as the “gopher” handling specific tasks, and a dedicated employee for day-to-day operations, the Armstrong family has successfully navigated the intricate balance of personal and professional relationships.

Open discussions about roles, responsibilities, and business plans contribute significantly to the smooth functioning of a family-operated seed business,” he said.

SeedLink is a new event; the decision to explore a return to a two-day annual meeting format sparked enthusiasm among industry partners, including key players and sponsors like SeCan, FP Genetics, Canterra Seeds, and numerous others.