Ag website expanded
Saskatchewan Agriculture has recently expanded the lentil and caraway sections of its website.
Provincial special crops expert Ray McVicar said the new information reflects Canada’s expanding role as an important producer and exporter of the two crops.
Red lentils grown in Saskatchewan account for more than half the world trade in the crop. Processing facilities capable of dehulling and splitting red lentils for the world market have been built in Saskatchewan and there have also been advancements in varieties and crop protection products.
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Caraway is well adapted to the more moist areas of the black soil zones of eastern Saskatchewan. It is used to flavour food such as bread and sauerkraut. The seed contains 2.5 to 4.5 percent essential oils. The oil can also be used to flavour meat, mouthwash and liqueurs.
Production in Saskatchewan has ranged from 10,000 to 20,000 acres from 1999 to 2005. Producers can access the caraway section by visiting the Saskatchewan Agriculture website at www.agr.gov.sk.ca/ and clicking on the link to crops and then on special crops.
Hutterites support centre
Representatives from Manitoba’s Hutterite colonies have donated $300,000 to the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment.
The centre is building facilities at the Glenlea Research Station south of Winnipeg and at the University of Manitoba campus.
Speaking on behalf of the colonies, Jerry Lupkowski of Meyers Norris Penny said they are happy to support the centre and understand the need for sustainable solutions to the challenges in modern farming, from environmental concerns to animal welfare and food safety.
The National Centre for Livestock and the Environment is a University of Manitoba initiative that will address issues facing intensive livestock agriculture.
The centre has a strong research mandate with the involvement of 30 scientists from several disciplines, including animal science, plant science, soil science, food science, biosystems engineering, microbiology and agricultural economics.Ê
Changes at pool
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool has announced the retirement of Gary Colter from the pool’s board of directors. His retirement will take effect March 15. Colter joined the board of directors in March 2003 and serves as chair of the audit committee. He also sits on the strategic and business planning committee.
Harold P. Milavsky will chair the audit committee effective March 16.
Milavsky is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Saskatchewan and Alberta, a member of the national chapter of the Institute of Corporate Directors and an adviser to the Alberta chapter.
He is chair and director of Quantico Capital Corp. and is a former chair and chief executive officer of Trizec Corp.
He joined the pool board of directors in 2003.
The pool will begin the process of filling the board vacancy shortly.
