Canola award of excellence
Dave Hickling has received this year’s Canola Award of Excellence from the Manitoba Canola Growers Association.
Hickling is known for his extensive work with canola meal as a feed nutrient, particularly its contributions in increasing yield in the dairy industry.
He started as a nutritionist with Cargill in Brandon and then moved to the Canadian International Grains Institute before joining the Canola Council of Canada in 2002.
Agri-innovation funded in British Columbia
The Canada-British Columbia Agri-Innovation Program has received $10.4 million in funding from the federal and B.C. governments over five years.
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Farming Smarter receives financial boost from Alberta government for potato research
Farming Smarter near Lethbridge got a boost to its research equipment, thanks to the Alberta government’s increase in funding for research associations.
It brings total program funding to $13.4 million.
Nineteen projects have begun, which include turning agricultural waste into value-added products, testing a rubber-bearing plant variety, developing new food and beverage products and plant propagation and bio-control measures.
Eligible projects must lead to economically attainable products, technologies and practices. This could include advancements in plant, animal and food science; energy and waste management; new product development and commercialization; improvements in soil, water and air quality; and climate change adaptation.
Eligible applicants may include food producers and processors; industry associations and organizations; retail and foodservice businesses; input, technology and support service providers; academic institutions and private businesses; regional districts and local governments.
Increasing productivity in dairy sector
Skotidakis Goat Farm in St-Eugene, Ont., is receiving more than $4 million in federal funding to increase production of Greek feta and ricotta cheese.
The money will be spent on hiring more employees, buying new technology, making production improvements and expanding the family-owned company’s facilities by 27,500 sq. feet.
The farm’s manufacturing process is unique in Canada. It is a large commercial producer that uses a blend of goat and cow milk.
Deadline approaching for Angus scholarships
Deadlines are approaching for upcoming scholarship and award opportunities with the Canadian Angus Association.
The Dick Turner Memorial Scholarship application is May 15.
The new Outstanding Young Angus Breeder Award deadline is April 15.
Applications for the Robert C. McHaffie Junior Ambassador Competition are due April 30.
Applications for the Lead Conference and Round-Up exchange programs are due May 10.
Self-directed national or international travel bursaries can help young Angus breeders with financial assistance to travel to conferences or events in the beef industry.
Permanent female genotyping extension
The Canadian Angus Association deadline for female permanent genotyping has been extended to March 31. Samples must be sent to the lab before then.
Permanent genotyping is for productive females in preparation for changes to the parentage verification policy. Herd sires born on or after Jan. 1, 2015, must be parent verified to both sire and dam.
Tests will cost $5 each. Email kdevani@cdnangus.ca to request a kit.
Permanent typing involves receiving DNA for females and keeping it on file to dam verify future calves. Parent verification of the female is not included in the test.
SNP parent verification tests are also available for $12 per test until March 31.