Wheat growers fund research
The Alberta Wheat Commission and Saskatchewan Wheat Development Commission (Sask Wheat) are providing funding of more than $1.6 million over three years in wheat research aimed at improving wheat production and outcomes for farmers.
The commissions’ funding is through the Ag Funding Consortium, a partnership of 13 organizations established to create a single approach for agricultural research and development funding in Alberta.
Some of the highlights of these projects include stripe rust surveillance to improve resistance in regional wheat varieties, developing a reliable method of gene editing in wheat that could simplify the breeding process and improving nitrogen use efficiency in Canadian wheat.
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ABEX finalists announced
The finalists for the 2018 ABEX Awards have been announced and will be recognized at this year’s ABEX Awards planned for Oct. 20 at TCU Place in Saskatoon.
This year, 52 finalists were selected in nine business categories.
Finalists are judged on the quality of their application and supporting documents, including a safety plan.
Five additional awards will also be awarded at the event: Business Leader of the Year Award; Community Leader of the Year Award; Saskatchewan Hall of Fame; Roger Phillips Chamber Builder and ABEX Business of the Year.
Tickets for the event are available online at saskchamber.com.
CPTPP to benefit cherry exporters
British Columbia could soon find a fresh market for its fresh cherries.
Last year, Japan imported more than $62.7 million worth of fresh cherries from around the world.
Once the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership enters into force, Canadian agriculture and agri-food exports are expected to benefit from preferential access to key Asian markets, including Japan. Through the CPTPP, Japan’s tariffs of 8.5 percent on fresh cherries will be eliminated over five years from entry into force.
