Aherne Prize entry deadline looms
The entry deadline for the Banff Pork Seminar’s Aherne Prize is Oct. 31.
Named after research leader Frank Aherne, the contest is open to owners, production managers, herdspeople, consultants, or anyone who has developed an innovation relevant to the North American pork industry.
More contest details are at banffpork.ca.
Dairy processors receive funding
Empire Cheese Co-operative, Kawartha Dairy and Mariposa Dairy have received more than $2.5 million through the federal government’s Dairy Processing Investment Fund.
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The two dairies will also receive more than $85,000 under the Emergency Processing Fund to enhance worker safety in their facilities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dairy Processing Investment Fund is designed to help dairy processors modernize their operations, improving productivity and competitiveness.
The Emergency Processing Fund will provide up to $77.5 million to help food processors safeguard the health and safety of workers and their families due to the impacts of the pandemic.
The federal government has approved more than $28 million in funding for 29 projects across Ontario that will benefit cheese, yogurt, cream and butter processors.
Ninety dairy processors across Canada have been approved for funding under the Dairy Processing Investment Fund, valued at more than $76 million.
Gene bank celebrates 50th anniversary
Canada’s national gene bank for plant genetic resources is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
The Plant Gene Resources of Canada was established in 1970 and has contributed to national and global food security ever since.
The institution helps preserve the genetic diversity of cultivated plants and their wild relatives to support plant breeding and conduct research and education.
Having the genetic traits for disease resistance available is one of the major contributions of gene banks around the world, including Plant Gene Resources of Canada.
It was originally located in Ottawa, moved to Saskatoon in 1998 and is part of the Canadian national plant gene bank system for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.
The seed bank at Plant Gene Resources maintains a collection of more than 115,000 samples (or accessions) of cultivated plant species and their wild relatives.
It annually distributes more than 5,000 germplasm samples, including seeds, tubers, and cuttings, nationally and internationally to more than 60 countries, which are used to support research, breeding, education and the diversification of agriculture.
Indigenous agriculture receives funding
Three new community-led Indigenous agriculture and food initiatives will receive up to $2.1 million through the federal Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative.
The funding objective is to increase economic development opportunities of Indigenous peoples and communities in Canada:
- The Indian Agricultural Program of Ontario in Stirling, Ont., will receive up to $999,900 to provide comprehensive, culturally relevant agricultural extension and business advisory services in Ontario, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Alberta. The project aims to develop skills among First Nations communities in primary agriculture through agricultural extension and business advisory services.
- The Native Women’s Association of Canada will receive about $1 million for a three year pilot project to grow traditional Indigenous plants and foods in a community garden as well as in a year-round winterized greenhouse in Gatineau, Que.
- The Wikwemikong Development Commission received $49,500 to plan and design a physical space in Wikwemikong that will support Indigenous agri-tourism on Ontario’s Manitoulin Island.
