Researchers at Agriculture Canada have identified wheat and durum varieties that perform better against common plant diseases under organic management. In a three-year study in southwestern Saskatchewan, officials at the Semiarid Prairie Agriculture Research Centre tested 14 wheat, six durum and two spelt varieties, as well as a kamut cultivar, and measured their performance against […] Read more
Stories by Dan Yates
Research reveals Canadian-made wheat as useful, healthy as ever
Researchers studying the makeup of western Canadian wheat cultivars have found that many of the crop’s traits have remained unchanged over the last 100 years. Their findings offer a rebuttal for grain industry advocates when engaging in internet forums and dinnertime debates with anti-gluten crusaders and adherents to low- and no-carb diets who link wheat’s […] Read more
Genetic research gives boost to wheat varieties
Western Canadian farmers are already benefitting from the work of scientists mapping the wheat genome, even though the job isn’t done yet. The promise of increased efficiency, improved line selection and speedier delivery time to producers makes genetic technology an important tool for plant breeders. However, scientists have yet to fully crack wheat’s genetic code, […] Read more
New market may mean less diversity
Variety development | Wheat breeding efforts are likely to focus on yield gains in major classes
In the coming years, some minor Canadian wheat classes may be mentioned in the same vein as the dodo bird. Changes within the Canadian grain industry could make it difficult to breed and market specialty wheat cultivars, said Jim Downey, research and development manager for SeCan. “I see a prevalence of this kind of conventional […] Read moreUPOV 91 may encourage exchange of plant material, say breeders
Most wheat varieties in western Canadian farmers’ fields can be traced back to laboratories at federal institutions and universities. That’s about to change with the introduction of new plant breeders’ rights legislation expected later this summer, although how and to what degree remains unclear. “There’s a number of companies that are expressing interest getting into […] Read more
Wheat hasn’t turned into poison: researchers
Researchers studying the makeup of western Canadian wheat cultivars have found that many of the crop’s traits have remained unchanged over the last 100 years. Their findings offer a rebuttal for grain industry advocates when engaging in internet forums and dinnertime debates with anti-gluten crusaders and adherents to low- and no-carb diets who link wheat’s […] Read more
Export group sees rosy future as demand for commodities grows
Up 13 percent this year A weaker Canadian dollar and rebounding American economy is spurring demand
Analysts at Export Development Canada are projecting a large increase in the country’s agri-food exports this year, despite the railway logjam that has left many grain bins across Western Canada full. “We’ve had ships sitting off coast in B.C. for quite some time now. They’re waiting for what it is that they need,” said Peter […] Read more
Bacteria challenge a growing concern for producers
Enterococcus | Cases of bacterial lameness linked to the bacteria have risen
Incidents of lameness caused by bacteria normally carried by chickens have challenged prairie poultry producers in recent years. Officials aren’t sure why. Enterococcus cecorum is one species of a bacteria normally found in the animal’s intestine. It’s not typically a concern for growers, but it can result in a bacterial infection in the animal’s spine […] Read moreHemp processing plan turns straw into briquettes
A proposal from a Regina entrepreneur adds to the growing list of plans to process hemp in Western Canada for industrial purposes. After two years of research and development, Thomas Chevalier said he hopes to set up a plant by the end of this year in Gilbert Plains, Man., producing biomass briquettes from hemp straw. […] Read more
Fungus kills grasshoppers
Slower than chemicals | Biological controls are less harmful to beneficial organisms
A fungus-laden powder developed at the University of Lethbridge is a proven grasshopper killer and a potential tool for combatting the pest. However, while researcher Dan Johnson is looking for a commercial partner to help bring the new biological control to growers, he said it won’t replace the conventional in-secticides that growers use — nor […] Read more
