Research grant
Assiniboine Community College has received a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada grant of $190,880 to enable the expansion of applied research projects in Manitoba.
The two-year research grant is expected to enhance regional innovation, productivity and competitiveness in agriculture.
Ongoing collaborative projects include:
- studying sustainable crop production technologies and integrated pest management solutions with Vermillion Growers
- further research on the potato sector with the Manitoba Horticulture Productivity Enhancement Council
- identifying effective fungal strains to promote early seeding potency and growth with Ag-Quest
- developing survey protocols for disease and insect pests, soil fertility, and agronomy with Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers
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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.
Farm show changes
Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock, Ont., has been cancelled as an in-person event this year because of COVID-19.
Organizers are exploring the possibility of a digital experience to connect farmers.
The digital event will allow farmers to learn about seed choices and other inputs, along with farm implements, livestock-handling equipment and dairy technology.
Further details are expected later in June.
Jobs for youth
Ottawa is investing up to $9.2 million to create 700 new positions for youth in the agriculture sector.
Within the Youth Employment and Skills Program, the additional funding will help the agriculture industry attract Canadian youth, aged 15 to 30.
The program will provide agriculture employers up to 50 percent of the cost of hiring a Canadian youth up to $14,000.
Indigenous applicants and those applicants hiring a youth facing barriers are eligible for funding of up to 80 percent of their costs.
Eligible applicants include producers, agri-businesses, industry associations, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous organizations and research facilities.
The funding is retroactive to April 1 with projects to be completed by March 31 next year.
More information is available at aafc.yesp-pecj.aac@canada.ca, or at 866-452-5558.
Genomics firm opens office
NRGene, a leading Israeli genomics company, is opening an office in Saskatoon.
NRGene provides ag-based companies with computational tools to improve breeding of crops and farm animals.
Since 2015, NRGene has had several successful collaborations in Saskatchewan with various organizations.
In January 2020, it was announced that an international consortium including researchers at the Global Institute for Food Security at the University of Saskatchewan and NRGene had successfully completed the assembly of multiple canola reference genomes.
Applied research grant
Parkland College has been awarded a $200,000 research grant by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
The Innovation Enhancement grant is designated for improvements at the research farm just south of Yorkton, Sask., which the college operates in partnership with the East Central Research Foundation.
Most of the funding will be used to hire students during the growing season.
The funding will also be used to buy farm equipment and video equipment used to share the results of research projects at www.ecrf.ca.
