Nominations sought for Outstanding Young Farmers
Nominations for the 2014 Saskatche-wan Outstanding Young Farmers’ Program will close March 1. Forms are available at www.saskoyf.ca.
The program is open to individuals, couples or managing partners-shareholders of a farm group.
Nominees must obtain at least two-thirds of their gross revenue from farming and have not reached age 40 by Jan. 1, 2014. The annual competition is in its 34th year of recognizing young farmers for their talent and leadership.
Nominees are judged according to the progress made in their agricultural career, environmental and safety practices, crop and livestock production history, financial and management practices and contributions to the well-being of their community, province and country.
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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.
The 2014 winner will be announced at Canada’s Farm Progress Show in Regina June 20. They will go on to represent the province at the National Awards Program in Quebec City in November.
Berry sector gets funding
The Lower Mainland Horticulture Improvement Association in British Columbia will receive $2.8 million in federal funding to develop production practices and pest management tools for the industry.
The project will specifically look at developing high quality berry cultivars that are resistant to pests and diseases.
The association will also receive more than $1 million from the B.C. Blueberry Council, the Raspberry Industry Development Council, the B.C. Cranberry Marketing Commission and the B.C. Strawberry Growers Association.
As well, the B.C. agriculture ministry, ES Cropconsult, the B.C. Institute of Technology and the University of the Fraser Valley will provide support.
Compensation offered for wildlife damage
New Brunswick’s new Wildlife Damage Compensation Program will compensate farmers for eligible livestock losses and crop damage caused by wildlife.
Farmers will be able to apply to the federal-provincial cost-shared program starting in April.
Eligible wildlife include black bears, foxes, coyotes, ravens, crows or birds of prey. Damage caused by dogs is not accepted.
Eligible products include plants, trees and vines grown as commercial crops. Qualified livestock includes dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goats as well as beehives and beehive contents.
Funding for Oat research
The Prairie Oat Growers Association is receiving $3.7 million from Growing Forward 2 to develop more nutritional and high-yielding varieties while capturing new markets. Of that money, $2.9 million is from the Agri Innovation program to help develop new varieties that will yield better and have additional attractive qualities.
Another $600,000 is from the AgriMarketing program and will help promote oats to the U.S. horse industry.
Funding for asparagus
Southwestern Ontario’s asparagus industry will receive up to $512,700 in federal research funding.
Money will help increase asparagus production and quality and develop disease resistant varieties.
Asparagus Farmers of Ontario will develop new hybrids that can be grown in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Saskatchewan.
