Biotech alliance; Marketing award; Facilities opened
Biotech alliance
Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. recently renewed a strategic alliance with the National Research Council Plant Biotechnology Institute of Saskatoon for a five-year term.
The agreement builds on previous agreements over the past 10 years. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“This third five-year term of the alliance further leverages PBI and Dow AgroSciences research and product development,” Jim Wispinski, president for Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. said in a news release.
The research goals of the strategic alliance include the development of technologies for canola and the development of new oil profiles for canola growers and the industry, as well as for human health.
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The agreement also includes research into improvements in agronomic productivity and increased yield.
The collaboration with NRC-PBI will benefit from the 2008 expansion of Dow AgroSciences Canada’s research station in Saskatoon.
In 1999, NRC and Dow AgroSciences Canada Inc. signed a five-year agreement for research in canola and enabling technologies.
This collaboration led to development of canola plants that produce higher levels of oil and canola meal with reduced levels of anti-nutritional factors.
This agreement was renewed in 2004 for five years.
Marketing award
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association recently chose its annual recipients for lifetime achievement recognition at the association’s annual convention in Toronto.
Dave Jeffries of Jeffries Brothers Vegetable Growers Ltd. from Portage la Prairie, Man., is the first grower to receive the award since its inception in 1994.
He was recognized for his commitment to the fresh produce industry at the local and national levels. He has served on the Canadian Horticultural Council’s board of directors since the 1990s, including a term as president in 1998.
He is also the elected chair of Peak of the Market’s board of directors and has served in that role for nearly 20 years.
Along with his wife, Judith, and his son, Roland, Jeffries produces more than 700 acres of carrots, parsnips, daikon, squash and other vegetable crops.
Facilities opened
Saskatoon Prairieland Park recently held the official opening for its Prairieland Park Ag Centre.
The $5.7 million centre was funded mainly by Prairieland Park and the federal government, which paid more than $2.5 million each.
The Saskatoon and Saskatchewan governments both contributed $200,000.
The new building gives Prairieland Park more capacity and options when hosting international events.
