The Western Grains Research Foundation (WGRF) was created in 1981, when 12 leaders came together with the vision of an agricultural research funding organization that consulted with farmers and worked with researchers. Since then, WGRF has provided more than $183 million in funding to support crop research projects. "It is a farmer organization," says Garth... Read More
Category: Research
The University of Calgary's School of Public Policy (SPP) has announced the creation of the Simpson Centre for Agricultural and Food Innovation and Public Education. The Centre is named after Calgary rancher and businessman John Simpson, who contributed more than $5 million to establish the school. “Several years ago, the school launched an initiative to... Read More
Sweet potatoes are grown on 2,300 acres across Canada, and with breeding efforts now producing varieties adapted to Canadian growing conditions, the crop boasts the potential for greater profits and sustainability. Leading those research efforts is Valerio Primomo, a vegetable breeder based at Ontario's Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. At the recent Ontario Certified Crop... Read More
During the annual CropSphere conference held at Saskatoon, Sask., Prairie barley commissions announced the formation of the Canadian Barley Research Coalition (CBRC). The national not-for-profit organization will facilitate long-term investments aimed at improving profitability and competitiveness for Western Canadian barley farmers, according to a news release. The CBRC is made up of the Saskatchewan Barley... Read More
The Canadian Wheat Research Coalition (CWRC) is pledging more than $9.6 million over the next five years to a core breeding agreement (CBA) with the University of Saskatchewan’s (USask) Crop Development Centre (CDC). The funding will go towards the development of spring wheat cultivars and provide expanded “core” support for the CDC’s wheat breeding programs,... Read More
Are Ontario cash crop growers making effective use of tissue testing to enhance yield and crop performance? The answer requires a little perspective says Jack Legg, agronomist with Guelph-based SGS Agri-food Laboratories. Tissue testing, which provides an accurate measurement of the nutrients within a plant at a given time, has traditionally been used to confirm... Read More
Did you know that around 70 per cent of Canada's beef exports go to the United States? Depending that much on one market means that if there is ever an issue with the United States border crossing (hello, BSE crisis), Canadian export options become slimmer than we'd like them to be. This is why Ellen... Read More
The future of how breeding is funded in Canada is under review and headed for change. The "value creation" consultations created much engagement and debate last winter, where producers were asked to weigh in on an end-point or trailing royalties on new varieties. While some people have attempted to halt the process, others have tried... Read More
No one wants to see crop under snow, especially when that crop is either a) not really ready to harvest or b) most of your acres. Western Canada has been hard hit by snow cover this fall, and it seems the early start to winter now extends to most of Ontario, too. The recent snowfall... Read More
Syngenta Canada has put a halt to its cereal seed research and development program. The move to end the program will be effective December 31, 2019. The company says it will continue to serve Canada with its current seed portfolio, recently registered varieties, licensing arrangements, crop protection, and seed care. “We plan to grow our... Read More