Foundation donation
The Canadian Foundation for Innovation has invested $248,000 in
equipment and facilities to aid research at the University of
Saskatchewan in Saskatoon.
The projects receiving funds include $70,000 to develop an ultrasound
biomicroscope facility at the veterinary biomedical sciences department
that allows safe and repeated medical imaging of live tissue. The
equipment is expected to improve the school’s ultrasound image analysis.
As well, a biochemistry project was awarded $60,000 for equipment to
study molecular and biochemical control of plant cell division and
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A technical analyst believes that Saskatchewan land values could be due for a correction, but land owners and FCC say supply/demand fundamentals drive land prices – not mathematical models
growth. Money was also given to mechanical engineering ($79,752) and
geology ($38,742.)
Malting barley officials
The Canadian Malting Barley Technical Centre has elected a new board of
directors executive committee.
Richard Wansbutter was named new chair by acclamation and will replace
Michael Brophy, who has held the position since July 2000.
Wansbutter lives in Winnipeg and works as vice-president of commercial
relations for Saskatchewan Wheat Pool.
Al Slater from BARI Canada was named corporate secretary and Al Morris
of Agricore United was named corporate treasurer. Both got the
positions by acclamation.
Other executive committee members include Brophy of the Canadian Wheat
Board and Rick Morgan of the Canadian Grain Commission.
The centre is an independent organization funded by members of the
malting barley and malt industry. It has five staff members and
provides malting and brewing research and technical support to members
and clients.
Swine improvement
The Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement is launching a new research
project for integrating molecular advances into Canadian swine
selection programs.
The project is jointly supported by the swine improvement centre and
Agriculture Canada, which will contribute 48 percent of the required
$415,000.
Funds will go toward research to increase productivity of Canadian pigs
by using knowledge of the pig genome. The project will not use
genetically modified pigs. Information gathered from DNA tests for
possible desired genes or genetic markers will be used in conjunction
with performance data now used for breeding selections.
The project is designed to provide specific recommendations for
choosing genetic tests and incorporating the information into selection
methods for breeding.
The centre for swine improvement was created by the Canadian pork
industry to co-ordinate services for genetic improvement. Its members
include the Canadian Pork Council, the Canadian Meat Council, the
Canadian Swine Breeders Association and regional swine improvement
centres in Western Canada, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada.
