U of S receives research funding
The University of Saskatchewan’s agri-food innovation has received $550,000 to support Stuart Smyth’s research with the College of Agriculture and Bioresources.
Smyth’s research focuses on the shift of global agriculture required to feed the growing population and the benefits associated to producers and consumers.
It is expected to highlight the costs to producers, technology developers and consumers caused by delays stemming from the commercialization of food technologies.
Funding for the research includes $150,000 from Bayer Crop Science, $150,000 from Monsanto, $150,000 from Syngenta, $90,000 from SaskCanola and $50,000 from CropLife Canada.
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European wheat production makes big recovery
EU crop prospects are vastly improved, which could mean fewer canola and durum imports from Canada.
APAS re-elects president
Norm Hall has been re-elected president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Sask-atchewan. He is from the Rural Municipality of Emerald.
Todd Lewis from the RM of Lajord and Arlynn Kurtz from the RM of Fertile Belt were elected as executive members.
Members were also selected for the board’s four policy committees: economic, trade and strategic growth; grains and oilseeds; livestock; and land and environment.
Research projects study ag labour
Two research projects co-ordinated by the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council are giving farmers the opportunity to have their say about farm labour issues.
The consultation phase of the Labour Market Information: Agricultural Supply and Demand Forecast Model and the National Agricultural Occupational Framework and Labour Market Support research projects began Dec. 8. The two projects were launched in June.
Farmers have until Jan. 22 to complete an online survey.
For more information, visit www.cahrc-ccrha.ca/.
Hog transportation studied
A study to assess the value of equipping pot-belly trailers with water sprinklers and cooling fans to reduce heat stress in hogs will begin this summer.
Researchers working on behalf of Swine Innovation Porc will evaluate how ventilation, with or without water sprinkling, affects the behaviour, physiology and carcass and meat quality of pigs during the wait before unloading at the abattoir.
Three trucks will be used under different conditions. The objective is to see whether mechanical ventilation using fan banks is enough to improve the climate inside the truck and the welfare of pigs.
Loose sow housing study results released
Positive results have been released from a loose sow housing pilot project.
The $1.2 million project was conducted on a Maple Leaf Foods barn where gestation stalls were removed and replaced with a design that allows sows to move freely throughout the barn. Researchers installed new feeding systems that use radio frequency identification tags to ensure each sow received appropriate nutrition.
This barn conversion is the largest one in Manitoba, and was finished last winter. The information will be shared with Manitoba producers through fact sheets, seminars and workshops over the next two to five years.
FCC board member reappointed
Sylvie Cloutier has been reappointed to Farm Credit Canada’s board of directors. Her three-year term is effective April 5. Cloutier was first appointed to FCC in 2012.
She has also served as the president and chief executive officer of Quebec’s Council of Food Processing and Consumer Products since 2010.
