Feds, province invest $7 million in crop research

Ottawa, Ont. – Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Saskatchewan Agriculture has announced nearly $7 million in funding for 46 research projects relating to crops.

“This year’s record-breaking Saskatchewan harvest demonstrates the benefits of investments in research and innovation,” said Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart in making the announcement. “Our record commitment to research is paying off, and the projects receiving funding today will help to ensure Saskatchewan continues to be a leader in agricultural production.”

The projects that will receive funding this year are:

• The performance of direct-cut harvest systems in canola;
• Improving nitrogen fixation of peas;
• Improving disease resistance in wheat;
• How residue from soybeans contributes to nutrition and yield in cereal crops the following year;
• Identifying new mustard varieties with improved yields;
• Honey bee health and the management of Varroa mites;
• The use of lentil bran as a food ingredient; and
• Weed control practices.

The investment comes through the Saskatchewan Agriculture Development fund, and will help the industry achieve goals such as increasing crop production and agri-food exports. It will also help establish the province as an international leader in biosciences. An additional  $3.3 million will come from industry partners, including the Western Grains Research Foundation, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers and Saskatchewan Canola Development Commission.