University of Saskatchewan professor hopes farmers will work with her as she researches wetlands and marginal areas
Working with farmers, a University of Saskatchewan study is looking for ways to better manage unproductive land in the province and improve the environment. “We’re looking to recruit 10 more grain producers for the study this year that have marginal cropland or wetlands,” said Christy Morrissey, professor in biology at the University of Saskatchewan who […] Read moreAuthor Archives
Thoroughbred racing doing well in Alta., Man., despite pandemic
The industry managed to save its season last year in Alberta and Manitoba, but Saskatchewan was not as fortunate
The 2021 Thoroughbred racing season is headed for the starting gate. Last year, the pandemic forced prairie horse racing to change its gait, but most venues stayed on track and some exceeded their financial expectations. “We had our best (betting) handle year in many years and we raced right through until the first week of […] Read more
Project aims to boost bison’s genetic diversity
U of S researchers will develop tools so that they can detect bison that have been hybridized between Plains and Wood
The world’s first bison genome biobank is being developed at the University of Saskatchewan’s Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence. The university was recently awarded $6.76 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to help revive the bison population and strengthen the cattle industry. It’s part of a Canada-led effort to conserve bison and other […] Read more
Farm family lives where they work — literally
On the Farm: The Smyths have set up their home in the operation’s shop/barn as a way to ease the costs of developing a new farmyard
What do you get when you cross a shop with a house? A “shouse,” of course. That’s the nickname Tyler and Suzanne Smyth have applied to their workplace and family home. The building is actually a pole shed they bought a few years ago, along with two quarters of land at Cantuar, Sask. The property […] Read more
FCL energy earnings drop
Last year was one for the books at Federated Co-op Ltd. “From a financial perspective, 2020 really consisted of two distinct parts. The first four months went pretty much as planned and the last eight months went nothing like as planned,” said chief executive officer Scott Banda during FCL’s annual meeting March 1, which for […] Read more
Researchers dive deep into black mustard
New sequencing technology called nanopore helps scientists reveal previously hidden features buried in plant genomes
Decoding the full genome for black mustard has helped advance breeding of oilseed mustard crops and improved breeding of wheat, canola and lentils. “We were interested in black mustard because basically it’s half the genome of condiment mustard and carinata,” said Isobel Parkin, research scientist with Agriculture Canada and member of the Plant Phenotyping and […] Read more
Engineering biology ‘transforms’ research
The Global Institute for Food Security at the U of S has high hopes for its Engineering Biology Agri-food Innovation Centre
The new Engineering Biology Agri-food Innovation Centre plans to shine its research light on helping to sequester carbon, designing more nutritious and resilient crop varieties, and developing new food ingredients. The new centre formed within the Global Institute for Food Security (GIFS) at the University of Saskatchewan is the first in Canada. It is designed […] Read more
FCL energy earnings drop, food profits climb
Last year was one for the books at Federated Co-op Limited. “From a financial perspective, 2020 really consisted of two distinct parts. The first four months went pretty much as planned and the last eight months went nothing like as planned,” said chief executive officer Scott Banda during FCL’s annual meeting March 1, which for […] Read more
TV series explores Sask. cuisine
Documentary dedicates episodes to ingredients that represent the province, including wheat, lentils, beef and honey
Saskatchewan ingredients and cuisine are the focus of a six-episode documentary about foods and the people who grow, gather and prepare them. “Each episode looks at an ingredient or a tradition that is quite iconic in Saskatchewan,” said Jenn Sharp, a Saskatoon-based author who hosts the mini-series. Flat Out Food is based on Sharp’s 2020 […] Read more
Mental health app unveiled in Sask.
A recent demonstration shows how a program developed in the province can help farmers manage their stress levels
Avail: a mental health app was created with farmers and ranchers in mind. It’s a comprehensive and personalized health tool to encourage and help producers manage their stress. Aptly named, the mobile app was officially announced and demonstrated during a recent webinar. Bridges Health is a wellness firm based in Saskatoon with a focus on […] Read more
